Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it may cost to attend college for the school year. It includes more than just tuition and fees, it can also account for things like books, housing, food, transportation, and other educational expenses.

Financial aid offices use this estimate to determine how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

Important: Your COA is not your bill. It is a budgeting tool used to help calculate financial aid and understand the overall cost of going to college.

Your Cost of Attendance (COA) includes two types of expenses: direct costs and indirect costs.

• Direct Costs- these are charges that are typically billed by the college and may appear on your student account, such as:
  • Enrollment fees
  • Required student fees
• Indirect Costs- these are estimated expenses you may have while attending school, but they are not billed by the college. These costs help reflect the overall cost of going to school and may include:
  • Books and supplies
  • Housing and meals
  • Transportation
  • Personal and everyday living expenses

Financial aid uses both direct and indirect costs to help determine your aid eligibility and provide a more complete picture of what attending college may cost.

Important: Your Cost of Attendance is an estimate, not a bill. Your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on your personal circumstances and living situation.

Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on several factors, so it may look different from another student’s.

Some of the things that can affect your COA include:

• Where you live – whether you live with family, on your own, or in another housing situation
• Residency status – California residents and non-residents may have different costs
• Your program of study – some academic programs may have additional required expenses, such as specialized supplies, equipment, or fees
• Enrollment status – the number of units you take may impact your estimated costs

Because every student’s situation is different, COA budgets are designed to reflect a variety of educational and living expenses.

Remember: Your COA is an estimate used for financial aid purposes and may not reflect your exact out-of-pocket costs.

Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is one of the factors used to determine your financial aid eligibility.

Financial need is calculated by comparing your COA to your Student Aid Index (SAI). The difference between these two amounts helps determine your level of financial need for need-based aid programs.

Your COA also sets the maximum amount of financial aid you may receive during the academic year, including grants, scholarships, loans, and other aid resources.

Keep in mind: Not all students qualify for the same types or amounts of aid. Financial aid eligibility is based on a combination of factors, including federal and state regulations, program requirements, and your individual financial circumstances.

These estimates reflect the typical cost of attendance for the academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Important Notes:

• These are estimated costs and may not reflect your actual expenses
• Your financial aid eligibility is based on these estimates, not your actual charges
• Only enrollment and student service fees are billed directly by the college

These estimates reflect the typical cost of attendance for the academic year (fall and spring semesters). 

Non-resident and international students are charged additional tuition of $340 per unit, in addition to standard enrollment and student service fees.

Important Notes:

• These are estimated costs and may not reflect your actual expenses
• Your financial aid eligibility is based on these estimates, not your actual charges
• Only enrollment and student service fees are billed directly by the college

These estimates reflect the typical cost of attendance for the academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Important Notes:

• These are estimated costs and may not reflect your actual expenses
• Your financial aid eligibility is based on these estimates, not your actual charges
• Only enrollment and student service fees are billed directly by the college

These estimates reflect the typical cost of attendance for the academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Non-resident and international students are charged additional tuition of $343 per unit, in addition to standard enrollment and student service fees.

Important Notes:

• These are estimated costs and may not reflect your actual expenses
• Your financial aid eligibility is based on these estimates, not your actual charges
• Only enrollment and student service fees are billed directly by the college