<p>So, most universities estimate "cost of attendance" and how it differs depending on if the student is living on campus, off campus, or with parents/relatives</p>
<p>Obviously, the maximum financial aid to be offered will differ depending on which situation the student falls into, and generally the max aid potentially offered for room/board is lowered dramatically for students who live at home with their parents</p>
<p>What puzzles me is how there is any cost there at all (wouldn't it be a case to case basis?). For example, many students may live at home with their parents absolutely free of charge (no rent, food, living expenses or anything), but when the schools publish the cost of attendance for kids living at home, even though room/board cost is reduced, there is still an estimated cost as if the student is absolutely expected to chip in.</p>
<p>Do students living at home for free have to note that somehow to the college, or is the reduced estimated cost of living at home just applied generally to everyone regardless of their specific situation (and whether or not their parents make them pay anything)? basically, if the school took into account the fact that the student doesn't' have to pay anything for room/board while living at home, their financial aid package would decrease wouldn't it?</p>