FAFSA Housing/Aid Question

KKmama
Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:15:47 +0000

Financial aid would decrease because your need would decrease if living at home. It’s not punishing you for living at home - it’s adjusting to need.

Merit scholarships are usually based solely on grades and scores, and would not change based on living in a dorm or commuting.

And yes, some schools base their financial aid on what you need after Stafford loans. That also is fair, though unpleasant. You are getting an education, and the school expects you to pay for it, like you pay for any other product. My auto dealer, for example, will not sell me a car for a lower price because my income is less than another customer.