<p>I have a set plan on where I’m living and whom I’m living with. But, a couple of months ago, I didn’t have solid plans, so I signed up as a resident so I recieved 21,000 dollars in financial aid for a resident. I called and have to switch to commuter…how much financial aid should I lose? :(</p>
<p>You may not lose any aid. Each school varies but they are aware that expenses for living off campus is similar to living on campus. If you planned to live at home or with a relative rent free then you would no longer have the same financial need as living on campus. My daughter shows a copy of her housing leasing to her school.</p>
<p>There is no way anyone but your school can answer this. Each school has their own COA (cost of attendance) and their own differences in that COA for students not living on campus. At my daughter’s school the COA for students living on campus or off campus but not with a parent is identical. For students living off campus with a parent it is several thousand dollars lower (which, of course, would mean several thousand dollars less in financial aid). At my son’s school on campus and off campus not with a parent are slightly different and off campus with a parent is quite a bit less. Ask your school.</p>
<p>As another poster suggested, you really need to contact the school to find out how it will affect your aid.</p>
<p>The school my daughter will be attending told us up front that the scholarship money she was awarded would be reduced by 25% if she chose to live off-campus.</p>
<p>Thanks. The thing is, living off-campus would cost much more where I’m going (Boston).</p>