<p>If I want to live off campus at the University of Texas, will that room and board still be considered financial need? My brother has an apartment in Austin, and I would like to room with him, but I will still need to contribute monthly rent and ect..
So basicly what I am asking is, do I need to live on campus for it to be included in financial need?</p>
<p>Yes .</p>
<p>I asked two conflicting questions, and I am not sure which one you are answering. heh</p>
<p>I believe at some schools you can live off campus and still sign up for some meal plan. To receive help to cover room/ board from college/federal you do need to live on campus.</p>
<p>that is dissapointing news...</p>
<p>"To receive help to cover room/ board from college/federal you do need to live on campus."</p>
<p>This isn't correct.</p>
<p>The FAFSA will ask you whether you're planning on living on-campus or off-campus, or living with parents. Each college has an estimate of the local cost of room & board (basically housing and meals) for on-campus, and for off-campus.</p>
<p>Your EFC will be the same whether you choose on or off-campus. But the estimated total cost of college will be different-- so your aid may be higher or lower if you choose off-campus.</p>
<p>At UCLA, for example, they estimate the cost of room & board in a residence hall at $11,928, and they include that amount in the estimated cost of college (note that it's more than half the cost of college for in-state students). But for off-campus room & board, they estimate $9,000. So they plug one of these numbers into their aid formula when caluclating the total cost, then subtract the EFC and come up with your 'financial need' and the aid package.</p>
<p>Other colleges are similar.</p>
<p>You are correct sir.</p>
<p>while your room and board whether you live on campus or off campus is calculated in your cost of attendance, if you plan to live of campus (which many schools do not allow freshmen to do unless they are living with parents or another family memeber), you need to find out the cost of off campus apartments/ rooms. </p>
<p>Should you decide to live off campus, keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying your rent (first and last month,security deposits, etc) up front as your land lord will not wait until your financial aid kicks in.</p>
<p>thanks for the info.. very helpful</p>