<p>“I am also wondering if the FAFSA covers room and board as well”</p>
<p>The FASFA doesn’t “cover” anything. It is a form that calculates your eligibiity for Federal AId.</p>
<p>As Thumper said, with the info you provided you will probably qualify for Federal aid, but you should run your numbers through the EFC calculator which calculates your estimated family contribution. So, a low EFC is good. </p>
<p>Let’s assume your parents have no assets and your other info is correct. You could possibly have a zero EFC and qualify for: </p>
<p>Pell Grant ( something like 4300 - I think a little more)
SEOG (between 100-4000 depending on when you apply for aid, and the funding at the school)
Academic Competetive Grant (750 - I’m assuming you qualify academically)
Subsidized Stafford Loan ( 3500 -interest doesn’t accrue while you are in school)
Perkins Loan (same deal with interest, lowest income families qualify)
Workstudy - just federal funds that you will be paid out of if you get a job. </p>
<p>So, as you can see, even with a zero EFC, federal aid would only cover from 8-10K approx. and some of that are loans This is where institutional aid comes into play, and the importance of going to a school that meets a high percentage of need. But many of these schools calculate your EFC different that federal methodology. </p>
<p>Some schools use the CSS Profile while others use their own forms and some just use the FASFA. THe profile will take other things into account such as the value of your home. Based on what they determine your family contribution to be, and how well they meet need
they may give grants. </p>
<p>Need = Cost of Attendance (including room and board) minus EFC </p>
<p>So, in answer to your question about room and board, yes, financial aid may cover it, but everything depends on your EFC and how much institutional and federal aid you get.</p>