Off campus or commuter, and does it make any difference?

Many schools will adjust your Cost of Attendance to reflect that you are living with your parents instead of living on your own. It will not change your family contribution figure, so the majority of your aid package should stay the same. What it might do is reduce the amount of loan you might be offered. I suggest calling the aid office and speaking with a counselor. Tell them you are considering living with your parents instead of on your own and what if any adjustments would be made should you decide to do this. They should be able to tell you this information and then you would be able to make the decision. Some schools do check to make sure your current address is not the same as your parent's address, so my suggestion is make the adjustment up front if that is what you choose to do.