<p>i live very close to rutgers like within a half hour not even but i hear all this about the college experience and i want that. it does cost alot of extra money to live not far away so idk its risky. my family doesnt make alot of money but i am going to look for scholorships and fill out the fafsa for financial aid. can anyone help make my decision? can i fill out the app and say i want to dorm and then change and commute?</p>
<p>if possible, i’d recommend that you dorm. it’s so much fun, and i have a few commuter friends who feel like they’re missing out on a lot (and they don’t enjoy commuting). it’s so much less stressful if you stay on campus.</p>
<p>i know that there’s this EOF program you can apply for if you need lots of financial aid. i don’t know too much about it, but you basically get a free ride under certain conditions. i think there’s a place on the app where you can apply for EOF</p>
<p>Perhaps you should dorm for your first year and if you feel like it will be a burden financial wise, spend the last three years commuting.</p>
<p>Agree you should stay in a dorm at least your first year to have a “real” college experience. For my senior year of college I had an apartment 30+ minutes from my school, but by then I had enough friends to hang out around campus during the day and know enough people.</p>
<p>Lots of local kids choose to dorm - My son’s roomate and others on his floor are from East Brunswick, just a stones throw away from Rutgers. You won’t be alone, my understanding is lots of kids who could easliy commute choose to dorm to get the college experience. If you can afford it I would definitely dorm. We are big advocates for this type of college experience and it was mandatory on our part that my son had to live the first year in the dorms. The second year and there on he was told it was up to him. He had some reservations, sharing a bedroom, a bathroom, cleanliness, etc, but now that his there he loves it and is planning on trying to room on campus next year as well. ITS SO MUCH FUN - DONT MISS OUT!</p>
<p>i really want to dorm but my financial status is low. i live with my mom and she doesnt make a lot of money. is it still possible to get enough aid that i could dorm?</p>
<p>Fill out the fafsa estimator. It will give you a good idea what you’ll be expected to contribute. The rest can be covered by loans grants and scholarships.</p>