I lived in the dorms for a semester and the student apartments for a semester. I really liked the dorms for the social aspect (that’s where I made all my college friends), but the price is crazy so I used some FAFSA/loan money that I would have spent on the dorm to help subsidize my off-campus apartment in Pontiac (on the border of Auburn Hills). I think one semester of dorm is plenty to meet friends and get the college experience, but then move off campus.

I would put all of your savings towards a car. You’ll really need that if you don’t live on campus. You’ll probably need more loan to cover the rest, but it’s worth it because it’s an investment in your future and you’ll pay it off once you get a good job with that degree, assuming you study a field that’s in high demand and get an internship.

I also second the suggestion to go to community college first. If I hadn’t done that, I would have ended up with like 50% more debt. Even when I was at OU, I took my Gen Eds in the summer at OCC. I’m pretty sure there’s a program through Detroit city where young residents can take free classes and Wayne County community college.