For some colleges it is a requirement to live in the Dorms for first years, I know when I first applied to go to a college (University of Delaware) that was a requirement, it was also a requirement to pay for a meal plan at the college. I got around it by becoming a "continuing education" student, since I was using my GI bill benefits. FYI that is a program for those serving in the USA military to put money aside that the USA government matches so when you get out of the military it helps pay for college.