How does living off campus affect Fin Aid

<p>I assume that this varies by universities but i am at UMich ann arbor and i will be in a dorm 1st semester next year then hopefully an apartment for the rest of college - or at least a semester and i get an RA job (to save on costs). But here it is about 9k for the year to live on campus for housing and if i move into a 6 person apartment that is going up it'll cost me about 7600 for a 12 month lease (including utilities etc). How do schools usually factor living off campus into Fin Aid? I have a lot of outside scholarship and most of the rest of my tuition is covered by grants from the school - will they reduce it since they are no longer getting the 9k or what?</p>

<p>Im sure people on here have experience with it. How does it work?</p>

<p>It depends on the school’s COA. SOme schools have a lower COA if you live off campus. If it is lower then your aid would be reduced. My daughter’s school has exactly the same COA for off campus students (unless they are living with parents) so her aid remained the same. She uses part of her aid towards her rent etc.</p>

<p>Of course if any grants/scholarships are specific for room and board then that could be lost if you were off campus.</p>

<p>oh okay thanks. yeah none are room/board specific - i get the michigan competetive scholarship and grant, and a few other things. but gotcha. thanks.</p>