I just got admitted to UC Davis as a transfer student for the fall 2016 quarter. I am currently 28 years old and filed as an independent on my FAFSA. My financial aid package includes a federal loan, pell grant, and university grant. Now my understanding is that the grants do not require repayment while the loan (obviously) does. Is this a one time deal for the university or will my FAFSA next year result in a similar award?
As an engineering student, I feel it would be a good idea to plan on 3 years to finish my upper division coursework despite my desire to finish in 2. This aid package will have me set for my first year, but I want to know if I should be making financial plans for years 2 and 3 as needed. Ultimately, I will figure out how to meet my needs, but I cannot find anywhere explaining how the university grant works or how often it is awarded.
Also, I plan on living off campus renting a room due to my age. Does this factor into future financial aid? Will the university grant be “pulled back” if I am not spending it on dorm fees? So far the package includes enough to at least cover first year tuition.
Thanks!
UC’s sometimes will ONLY give aid for TWO years for a transfer student, so you better plan on finishing in 2 years.
Look at the school’s website and see if they have a different COA for off-campus living.
They do list separate costs for on-campus vs. off-campus. Living off campus is actually cheaper by ~$5000/year.
Also, I am unsure if I would require the health insurance that they quote ($2000/year) since I am on Medi-cal.
I have the same question on the grant- is that for one year or two? Son is is a similar position. Received similar Aid- He is 25. We prefer the “SHA” university owned apartments (which they recommend for transfers). They look really nice and I think this will be easier for him than having to deal with landlords etc renting off campus. I’m sure there are good options off campus too and it’s cheaper, so that’s a plus for you.
Yea, I think the apartments are roughly $900/month + utilities without a meal plan. I think I can get off campus room for closer to $550-600 + utilities. Although if my grant would decrease because of off campus housing I would gladly take on campus apartment if it was subsidized with the grant.
http://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/consumer/sap/standards.html describes the number of terms you may be eligible for financial aid at UCD.
http://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/undergraduate/types/need.html indicates that UCD adjusts cost of attendance for financial aid purposes based on your living arrangements. Moving between on and off campus housing will presumably trigger a financial aid re-evaluation. Students receiving significant financial aid should consider the cost of housing relative to the cost of attendance amount for the category of housing.