but I am willing to accept the financial responsibility of paying whatever additional expenses are necessary in order to live near campus<<<<<<
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I am not sure there is a clear picture about finances though, you cannot possibly afford to pay to live off campus yourself even with staffords and work study. As it appears in this thread you are living at home, but your package is paying for you to live away from home. Is that potentially going to look fraudulent? You really need to fix this bit ASAP. All this is moot if you lose aid because you want to keep left over aid (like that is a thing). Maybe your dad could get a grip on that part? You obviously have a huge package that covers all your expenses. On your aid application, do you state you live at home? You sign that application, right?
@Sybylla >>> As it appears in this thread you are living at home, but your package is paying for you to live away from home. Is that potentially going to look fraudulent? You really need to fix this bit ASAP. <<<
The school year has not started yet; it is still summer break (that is why I’m currently living at home). My problem is that my dad wants me to live at home instead of living near campus this school year (something that I want). Yet, he has heard other parents saying that their child were able to save money with the extra aid… and is listening to their advice… and refusing to listen to my explanations as well as warnings. On the aid application, it states I plan to live off campus. I am honestly considering contacting a counselor to discuss to him the benefits of living near campus given my situation and praying that this solves the issue.
@thumper1 Ever since I was young, my dad has been the one to make the decisions… What he says, goes… unfortunately… My mom doesn’t really have a voice in the household. So she isn’t daring to challenge what he says—and I’m fine with that… because he’d start antagonizing her too for supporting me… It’s hard growing up as a girl and seeing my mom that disempowered… but it’s hard to change my dad and his mindset… He has strong beliefs regarding females… I’ve been told countless times that I shouldn’t pursue fields such as engineering because of my gender and how I shouldn’t go to school far away because it didn’t matter due to my gender (males would always be preferred over females in the work place. --> Another reason why I would like some distance away from home. I have a trusted relative who’s children graduated from the same college… but commuted
Whatever the emotional aspects are here, you (YOU) need to make sure your aid matches your living situation. That means contacting FA and informing them you are not living off campus. You will suffer is this goes awry. This does not need your dad's involvement.
@Sybylla I completely understand. The thing is that I do have the chance of living off campus and am trying to respect my dad and get his approval I know whether or not I can successfully convince him, I will have to make sure my aid matches whatever my living situation ends up being.
Keep an eye on the prize. Education is your way out. Ask your dad about the financials, you don't sound like you have a great grasp, as they DID pay for you to dorm (AKA the difference). Off campus living is expensive. Even when it is cheaper than dorms, it is for an entire year in many cases. Have that conversation, not the one about all the emotions.
““Last year (when I dormed), my parents just paid the remainder of my housing costs.””
@Sybylla I understand if you mean the cost of housing… then I would say I have an idea because I’ve been doing the research and talking to those in similar financial standings. I’ve searched and found a spot for a reasonable price ($560/month) and am awarded nearly $7.9k a quarter in solely grants, so I would have roughly $2.4k left for what is intended to be housing/rent. I’ve been offered work study too, so hopefully that will allow me to cover any additional living costs. I have over $3k saved from high school that my dad says he’ll keep for me… yet never talked about or returned. The issue is that my dad would rather I not spend any money for college…
@Sybylla My financial package does not state which grants are for explicitly for living expenses, but my gift aid for the entire year totals to ~$20k. $2.4k is the CR I’m receiving through direct deposit after registration fees are covered.
That looks to be well over what you would be given in a package for lving at home (that looks to be a bit over 6K for last years cost estimate). You really should know what your paid package looks like in it’s breakdown. Do you have a copy? If you don’t, you should get one for your own use.
@Sybylla I do in fact have a copy of what my aid package looks like as well as a breakdown by quarter. My aid application is for off-campus… which I applied as, but my dad know wants me to commute. Hence, my problem
Why did your dad allow you to dorm last year but not this year? It sounds like a financial situation. Students generally get less money if they live off campus than if they dorm, and when you dormed your parents had to pay out-of-pocket. Maybe you should run through the numbers with your dad and see if the aid you were awarded is enough to live off campus. If you get $2400/quarter (I think that’s $800/mo for 3 months, right?) and rent is $560/month, you have $60/week for food, utilities, and entertainment. Are you sure that’s enough?
You and your parents should be aware that UCI adjusts financial aid if you live with your parents and commute.
Using the UCI NPC at http://www.ofas.uci.edu/content/Calculator_Dependent.aspx?nav=0 , if I put in some financial parameters that produce about $20,000 in grants (leaving about a $10,250 net price) for off-campus living, changing it to living with parents produces about $15,000 in grants (leaving about a $10,250 net price).
Obviously, this is based on UCI’s assumption that living with your parents and commuting is $5,000 less expensive than living off-campus (note that living with your parents is not free, in that you consume food and utilities, and have commuting costs). Actual costs for living off-campus versus living with your parents and commuting may be significantly different from what UCI assumes, so you and your parents need to calculate net costs yourselves.
It may not be better, but your father has all of the power in this situation, while you have none, since he has the power to force you to listen to him on the threat of not paying for college and not cooperating on the FAFSA for your financial aid.
Right, the dad bit is a separate issue, you risk it ALL by claiming a fraudulent package. You can explain to your dad that you are fixing the numbers. You have an incredibly generous package even if they adjust it for living at home.
I know whether or not I can successfully convince him, I will have to make sure my aid matches whatever my living situation ends up being.