<p>So I am trying to figure out how off campus housing works at UC's.</p>
<p>is it possible to have an off campus apartment fully paid for through financial aid? any type of criteria? surely thats too good to be true.</p>
<p>i have been scrounging around and have just gathered that COA goes down when a student lives off campus & the total aid is decreased, which seems like a con in my ideas.</p>
<p>can someone shed light on how it potentially will work out in my corner for being 22 with a single BROKE parent (literally 0 income)</p>
<p>thank you much in advance.</p>
<p>ps, primarily focusing on irvine/davis.</p>
<p>There’s a general maximum of FA that you can get without any additional scholarships and no parent/student contribution. In my case, I’m getting about $19k and living off campus so that leaves me with around $5k per year (Fall + Spring) to buy books and pay for other expenses (living, transportation, etc). The exact number of the maximum amount depends on the UC because their tuition varies slightly. Yet realistically, I’ll be paying a grand/month for my rent anyway so in my personal circumstance, it’s definitely not enough money to live off of, but people can do it with proper budgeting. Summer session will also give you some additional FA.</p>
<p>Once you are 24, your parent’s (even minimal) income doesn’t count and you are TRULY considered an independent student. I have zero income and my student contribution was still $500 for the year but I’m trying to waive it lol.</p>
<p>At my school dorming is outrageously expensive, well over $10k/school year (no breaks no summer) to live in a triple, so really off-campus is a better choice if you’re willing to share a room with someone to minimize the rent - despite that you will get less FA. IMO.</p>
<p>damn 24! i thought it was 25!</p>
<p>im 22, will be 23 in january and later 23 when i transfer, almost 24 the following january.</p>
<p>this is looking bad now.</p>
<p>Lol well if you said your parents are somewhat poor (if you also have more siblings, this is better), then it probably won’t really be that much of a difference between being an independent for FA purposes or not.</p>
<p>so lets see if i file in january 1st of 2012, ill be 23 on the 5th of january, then i can file january 1st of 2013 and ill be 24 on that 5th, so maybe ill have some wiggle room.</p>
<p>well what do they expect to really change then in 1 year of the ages?</p>