<p>So i'm contemplating commuting next semester. My parents are just concerned about the money. The cost of commuting would certainly be cheaper than paying for this overpriced dorm room as I have calculated, however my parents are concerned about my financial aid. I emailed the financial aid office and they said my grant would certainly be reduced, but they couldn't tell me how much, and they dont want to until I make a decision. The most info they gave me was: "the difference in Cost of Attendance for Commuter versus Resident (for the year) is $7,350, for one semester that would be $3,675 less". Is there any way I could estimate how much aid I would lose?</p>
<p>Are you getting full aid now? I would compare the COA for a commuter to your current aid package. Some things like federal and state grants and loans probably won’t change until you hit the COA limit.</p>
<p>They told you. Your aid is based on your COA. So if the COA for a commuter for a semester is $3675 less your need will go down by $3675 and your aid will go down by that much also (assuming you are receiving that much aid and your full need is being met).</p>
<p>For instance say the COA was $20,000 and your EFC was 11,000 and your full need was being met and you were receiving $9000 in aid ($4500 for the semester). If you commute next semester your COA will go down by $3675 making making your need for the semester $825 instead of $4500. But if your full need was not being met then the impact will be less high.</p>
<p>swimcatsmom, my aid does not even come close to covering my full cost of attendance. It doesn’t even cover my EFC, let alone my tuition itsself.</p>
<p>Your aid is not supposed to cover your EFC at all. The EFC is not something that is met - it is the expected family contribution - the minimum your family is expected to be paying. </p>
<p>Your aid is based on your need as calculated by the school’s COA less your EFC. How much of your need (as calculated by COA less EFC) is being met.</p>
<p>That’s what I meant. The difference is not being met.</p>
<p>Then depending on how much unmet need you have will probably make a difference to how commuting will affect your aid. For instance if you have unmet need of $5000 and your total need drops by $3675 because of commuting then you probably won’t lose any aid (as the unmet need is greater than your COA drop). But if your unmet need is $2000 and your need drops by $3675 then you will possibly lose $1675 in aid. </p>
<p>The best thing to do is make an appointment and go and sit down with an FA officer and see what the actual impact will be.</p>
<p>swimcatsmom, thanks, that’s what I was thinking.</p>