New Apartment, No Scholarship?
Financial Aid May Change When Moving Off Campus
Des Moines, Iowa (March 19, 1997)--
Daydreaming of that perfect apartment or house, no quiet hours and a private bathroom? Before you take the plunge and sign that lease, you might want to contact the Financial Aid Office and ask if financial aid will transfer when moving off campus.
For students considering living off campus, some forms of financial aid, scholarships or grants are forfeited or reduced when moving out of the residence halls. "Each individual case is different," said Denise Fasse-Beasley, assistant director for financial aid.
When students receive financial aid or scholarships, they are given a handbook that explains the rules and restrictions. Students awarded a merit scholarship receive a letter from the Office of Admissions similar to the handbook.
Drake founders scholarship and room and board grant are two examples in which students must stay on campus in order to keep the scholarship or grant. Recent changes to the criteria for the alumni scholarship now require students to remain on campus. Previous to the change, students were not subject to living requirements.
Students who receive the Stafford loan, Perkins loan or work-study are not obligated to live on campus. All loans remain the same, Fasse-Beasley said, unless the student is living with his/her parents, then the budget could change.
Some Drake students are not aware that they need to go to the Financial Aid Office. "I think a lot of the problem is that the knowledge is not out there. I don't think the Financial Aid Office is vocal enough about that stuff," Ana Aywaz (AS2) said.
Each year students who are planning on moving off campus need to check with the office. "It's a fairly complicated process," Fasse-Beasley said. Several changes in living requirements took effect this past fall.
Most students come in or call, Fasse-Beasley said. Sororities and fraternities are considered off campus, so students planning on living in a house need to also call the Financial Aid Office.
The office will not make exceptions for students who have already signed a lease. It is wise to ask first before signing a lease, Fasse-Beasley said.
© 1997 CyberPress Communications, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Drake University 50311.
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