The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimation of what it will reasonably cost a student to attend a given institution for a given period of time, usually one academic year...

The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimation of what it will reasonably cost a student to attend a given institution for a given period of time, usually one academic year. COA is one element of need analysis, the other being expected family contribution (EFC). A student’s need for federal student aid is determined by subtracting EFC from COA. The law defines COA as the total of several categories of expenses (see subtopics).

Related terms: Need Analysis; Net Price Calculator

The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimation of what it will reasonably cost a student to attend a given institution for a given period of time, usually one academic year. COA is one element of need analysis, the other being expected family contribution (EFC). A student’s need for federal student aid is determined by subtracting EFC from COA. The law defines COA as the total of several categories of expenses (see subtopics).

Related terms: Need Analysis; Net Price Calculator

Web URL Annual Membership Tuition Survey

(The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities)

Web URL College Board Living Expense Budgets

(College Board )

Web URL Controlling Costs

(The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities)

Web URL Cost of Attendance AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&As

(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

Web URL Cost of Attendance Self-Study Guide

(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

Web URL Digest of Education Statistics

(National Center for Education Statistics)

Web URL Enhancing Affordability

(The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities)

PDF Federal Financial Aid Policy and College Behavior

(American Council on Education)

Web URL Independent College 500 Index

(College Board )

Web URL Monograph 24: Developing the Cost of Attendance

(National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

PDF Paying for College

(American Council on Education)

Web URL State of Student Aid and Higher Education in Texas - 2019

(Trellis Company)

Web URL State of Student Aid in Texas - 2021

(Trellis Company)

Web URL Student Financing of Undergraduate Education in 2015-16: Income, Tuition, and Total Price

(National Center for Education Statistics)

Web URL Student Financing of Undergraduate Education in 2015-16: Students’ Net Price, Expected Family Contribution, and Financial Need

(National Center for Education Statistics)

Web URL The Condition of Education

(National Center for Education Statistics)

PDF Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2021

(College Board )

Web URL Trends in Higher Education

(College Board )

Web URL What Is the Price of College? Total, Net, and Out-of-Pocket Prices in 2015-16

(National Center for Education Statistics)

See top list entry for Professional Judgment.

 (Professional licensure, certification, or first professional credential - effective 2023-24 award year)

Web URL GEN-22-15
Web URL GEN-06-10
Web URL GEN-06-05
PDF 2022-23 FSA Handbook, Vol. 3, Ch. 2, July 2022

See top list entry for Consumer Information

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