We initially put On-Campus for my students housing on the FAFSA, but she's thinking of switching to a university apartment or commuting to save money. Do we need to update her FAFSA, and will changing her status to Commuter lower her actual Blue and Gold grant amount
It is essential to update the FAFSA when your student's housing status changes, as this directly affects their Cost of Attendance (COA) and financial aid eligibility. At UCLA, you should notify the financial aid office by submitting a Housing Adjustment Form through the Bruin Financial Aid Portal. This ensures that the recalculation of aid is timely and accurate.
Impact on Financial Aid
While the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan primarily covers tuition and mandatory fees, changing to a university apartment or commuting can lower the estimated budget for living expenses. This may lead to:
- A stable Blue and Gold grant amount, but potential reductions in other financial aid components.
- A lower overall financial aid package due to decreased living costs associated with commuting.
- Possible elimination of campus-based grants that were intended to cover room and board expenses.
To proceed, ensure that the Housing Adjustment Form is submitted at least two weeks before the end of the term, and provide any necessary documentation, such as a rental agreement if applicable. For more information, visit the UCLA Financial Aid Office.