Petitioning for an increase in cost of attendance Forum

[Thomas Jefferson]

Barring an acceptance from Cornell, I'm going to be going to UMN next year. Because it could be quite some time before I hear from Cornell, I've started looking at housing in Minneapolis. However, most of the decent places I've found are between $800 - $1000 a month and UMN only allots ~$12k to "other Expenses (room, board, transportation, personal items)" in its financial aid breakdown. If that ends up not being enough to cover my rent, utilities, food, etc. what is the process like for petitioning for an increase in your cost of attendance and grad plus loans? I'm financing law school entirely on loans, so I'll have to settle for a cheaper place if I can't get the increase and don't want to starve.

Does anybody know how difficult it is to petition for that increase? It would be especially useful if there is anyone from Minnesota who has done so and can comment.

[Thomas Jefferson]

Never mind. I just called Minnesota's financial aid office and they don't consider any petitions for increases in cost of attendance / loan figures, except for childcare expenses.

Effin a.

[im_blue]

UMN's budget is $12,362, of which $9612 is for room/board, or $1068/month over 9 months. So it looks like you'll either have to get a roommate or cook all your meals to meet that budget.