Off Campus Housing & Aid
The budget used in awarding Financial Aid does
not change when a student lives off campus (unless
the choice is to commute from home). It is
important, therefore, to consider all housing
options available, and to plan accordingly, and
early. To help with that process we offer the
following general points:
- The figures used to determine Room and Board
costs remain the same regardless of whether a
student chooses to live on campus, in a
fraternity or sorority house, in an apartment
alone, or in an apartment with one or several
roommates. The budget and Aid do not change.
- Your Financial Aid eligibility will be
reduced if you decide to commute from home, as
there will be no Room charges, nor rent that
needs to be paid.
- In choosing to live off campus, you will see
a change in your billing. Room charges no longer
will appear on your bill. Your cost of living
will be paid, not to Tufts in Room charges, but
to a landlord in the form of rent.
- If your Financial Aid exceeds your Bursar
charges, then you will be entitled to a refund
once classes begin. You may use that refund to
help pay your off campus expenses.
- Be prepared to face early costs related to
off campus living, e.g., deposits, first and
last month rent requirements, cost of furniture
and storage, moving expenses, etc.
- When planning for your expenses, it is very
important that you and your family make a budget
for the year. When you receive your Financial
Aid Notice and your Bursar's bill in early July,
you and your family should sit together and plan
how you will meet your tuition and your monthly
living expenses for the coming year.
If you need assistance with any of the above, or
encounter difficulties in determining the impact on
your billing, or your Aid, please make an
appointment to meet with your Financial Aid
Counselor as soon as possible. (Be aware that
appointments during the months of March and April
will be extremely limited due to the Freshmen
awarding cycle). You can also get much more
information on the Tufts Off Campus web site.
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