School's COA is too low?

[117296]

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What happens if your schools cost of attendance is too low? Running the numbers shows me that my schools tuition will be 31,000 alone.

My main problem is that they expect me to spend about 9,000 a year for room and board where it is tough to find apartments in Hilo, Hawai'i.

All the apartments I've seen are on the order of 1,000/mo+...unless you find a roommate. (That's hard to do when you're not physically there) That doesnt count some utilities or food. After paying for other such essentials such as health insurance (which is required) I find myself 5-10K over the COA on their website.

All the private loans I've looked at let one borrow up to the COA.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Cross posted in financial aid forum, but thought it might get more views here🙂

 

[genesis09]

Appeal the COA with the school's financial aid board.
This was mine from this year.
Budget Detail Budget Component Amount
Books and Supplies
$1,100.00
Mandatory Fees*
$2,602.00
Housing and Food Expenses
$10,800.00
Personal Expenses
$2,400.00
Tuition*
$15,080.00
Total:
$31,982.00

 

[Alby]

The cost of medical insurance (if offered through the school- which is usually the case) should be included in the COA. The financial aid guy at Midwestern told me that even if I provide my own insurance (through my husbands job) they still include the cost of medical insurance ($1800/yr) in the COA.

Check to see if the school is including this... if not, ask if they can.

Also, commonly the school has a list of students looking for roommates- this can help ease your room and board expenses.

Gluck!

 

[maxbaner]

Doesn't Hilo have on campus housing for pharmacy students?

 

[confettiflyer]

Not directly for pharmacy students....but there is on campus living available, though it's not very good.

Check in with the housing office, I remember seeing lots of listings/postings looking for roommates on their bulletin board outside. I'm sure they'd be glad to relay the info.

 

[genesis09]

My university has an online listing for off campus apartments.

 

[jtwcamel]

I would definitely check with the admissions office if you truly are interested in having a roomie. At Campbell we had a list of people who were in need of roommates that we could call. Im willing to bet a lot of people are probably in the same boat as you are.

 

[RockfordWF]

What happens if your schools cost of attendance is too low? Running the numbers shows me that my schools tuition will be 31,000 alone.

My main problem is that they expect me to spend about 9,000 a year for room and board where it is tough to find apartments in Hilo, Hawai'i.

All the apartments I've seen are on the order of 1,000/mo+...unless you find a roommate. (That's hard to do when you're not physically there) That doesnt count some utilities or food. After paying for other such essentials such as health insurance (which is required) I find myself 5-10K over the COA on their website.

All the private loans I've looked at let one borrow up to the COA.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Cross posted in financial aid forum, but thought it might get more views here🙂

Try T.H.E. (northstar.org). Read about the GradPLUS loan. Also ask your school about being considered for the Perkins loan.