Thanks - there is no difference in COA for food and housing for on-campus vs off-campus given. Drilling down more into the costs (given as a combined number), a double is assumed to be $3477/semester and the meal plan is assumed to be the "flex" plan which is the middle tier with some "dining dollars", for $3580/semester. Since they are combined on one line in the COA, is it allowed to take up to the entire $7057/semester for rent, utilities, and food, or is it limited to a maximum of $3477 for rent and utilities and up to $3580 for food? Meaning, can she withdraw the $814 monthly rent (let's say times 4 since there are only 4 full months per semester - we'll deal with the few extra days in May next year), for a total of $3256 and she can reimburse herself for up to say $100/month for utilities if she only spends $3400 on food, including the 25-meal "commuter" plan she's chosen (subsidizing the utility bill out of her food allowance)? We have no idea what to expect for utility bills - or food, for that matter - in the current economy. You would think that $769/month for food and $100/mo for utilities (split with 2 other roommates) would be enough, but the school is very close to the Canadian border and I presume the local electric company buys electricity from Canada.
