<p>No, because financial aid is not dependent upon which housing option you choose - your FA is calculated using an average rent and the standard meal plan. It seems the Birnkrant rate is the one they are using as the average. If you choose higher-cost housing and a higher-cost meal plan, your FA will NOT be adjusted - the additional charges will come out of your pocket. If you choose a lower-cost arrangement, your FA will NOT be adjusted and you will benefit from the savings.</p>
<p>So the notation about the average rent is very likely consistent for all students with a financial aid estimate.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates1/costs.html”>http://www.usc.edu/admission/fa/applying_receiving/undergraduates1/costs.html</a></p>