<p>So - this is going to sound incredibly ignorant and foolish but I figured I'd have nothing to lose by asking -- </p>
<p>If a school gave me a grant that is equal to the cost of tuition/fees, but I applied as a student who'd be living on campus, would it be possible for me to change that decision in order to commute instead without the grant being reduced as a result? I realize that it would make sense that they'd reduce my FA award if my COA is lowered as a commuter but is there anyway around that/any way that can be arranged with a meeting with the FA office? </p>
<p>I know this sounds like I'm trying to be manipulative/deceiving - but I wasn't asking so that I could accomplish this in some underhanded fashion... I'd be completely transparent with my motives along with the fact that me staying home and commuting to school would lessen the financial burden of putting my younger sister in daycare because of conflicting work schedules that my parents have. </p>
<p>For commute student, the CoA would be much lower. That would affect their grant/loan calculation. I will image the amount of grant may be reduced accordingly. My nephew moved to an off campus apartment in sophomore trying to save some money. At the end, the financial aid was reduced plus other extra cost associated with off campus housing (e.g. summer rent) making it actually more expensive. </p>
<p>It depends 100% on the school. You need to ask them. My COA was the same when I lived on campus and off- FA stayed the same. </p>
<p>Ask your school. My daughter’s school had exactly the same COA for students living on or off campus. her FA did not change at all when she moved off campus (and in her case it saved her considerable money as the shared apartment and not having to have an expensive meal plan was cheaper than being on campus). Some schools do have a different one (sometimes even 3 - on campus, off campus not with parents, off campus with parents). Many do not. Only your school can tell you what their policy is.</p>
<p>Depends on the school. Some schools have a lower cost of attendance for those living AT HOME, than for those living in apartments off campus, or in dorms. It very we’ll could affect your grant aid if you change your living status, but it might not. </p>
<p>You should be able to see the different costs of attendance on your college website.</p>
<p>Call the school and ask. Actually it sounds like you LIVE close enough to make an appointment and go in person to talk to a financial aid officer. Regardless…get their decision IN WRITING.</p>
<p>If the scholarship is for tuition and fees it should not matter where you live. If it is grant money in general based on the full COA it might.</p>