<p>As of now, my estimated COA, according to Berkeley, is around $7500 in loans; however, this was calculated assuming that I live in the dorms. If I decide to get a co-op, which is around $7000 cheaper than the estimated cost for rooming, will I be able to attend Berkeley for almost free or will they just reduce my grants?</p>
<p>Background Information: The reason my estimated COA is around $7500 is because I am opting out of health insurance, and I have a low EFC.</p>
<p>I don’t think the grant money would change; that is, your cost of attendance will go down by $7000. Don’t forget that food and supplies could change as well. Also, how did you waive out of the health insurance? Or did you mean you will waive out of it eventually when they start to bill you?</p>
<p>According to my full fin-aid roomie (not an indication of being a pro, but anw) - “I believe they will reduce your grant proportionately (Berkeley grants, you still get the full Cal grants), because co-ops are considered “off campus” and so fin aid/COA is calculated differently, so your grant:loan ratio stays about the same, i.e. you get less loans, but also less grant.”</p>
<p>Also I think they give you health insurance for ‘free’ anyway, i.e. waiving out doesn’t mean you physically get more $, so it’s something that you “might as well keep”, though you could always email the SHIP office to be sure.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks for all the replies.</p>
<p>So, if the grants/loans decrease proportionately, I would still expect to pay around $3500 even if I chose to live in a co-op?</p>
<p>Is it true that male Freshmen always get the loudest co-ops? if so, in general, how many co-op points would I need to transfer to a quieter one? or how many points would it take to get a single in one of the quieter co-ops?</p>
<p>Additionally, I believe room selections factor in the time you turn in your co-op application. So if I have yet to turn in my application, will I be at a significant disadvantage with other first-year co-op students?</p>
<p>bump any replies would be appreciated. =)</p>
<p>I believe that while Student Health is included there is about a $1500 charge for full Student Health insurance. You can opt out of that and thus not incur that charge if you have your own health insurance. There is an online waiver that must be filled out by July or else that fee is automatically posted.</p>