The cost of attendance is the total of six different costs, including tuition, room, board, books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Each category is standardized to reflect commuter or resident student status. For example, if students live on campus, their transportation costs would be lower than a commuter student's. The cost of attendance is adjusted each year to reflect increased and/or changing costs. The cost of attendance is also the maximum amount of funding that can be paid to a student's account during an academic period. It serves as a cap to prevent students from accessing grants, scholarships, and student loans far beyond the actual costs of college.

Example of Annual Cost of Attendance for 2024-25 (estimated) University of Wisconsin-Madison (Wisconsin Resident):

• Tuition and Fees: $11,606
• Room and Board: $14,124
• Required Course Material & Educational Supplies: $1,100
• Personal: $2,512
• Transportation: $600
• Loan Fees: $66

Total Cost of Attendance: $30,008

It is important to note that the total cost of attendance is always greater than the actual balance due on a billing statement. In the above example, the cost of attendance is 30,008, but the billing statement will show total charges for tuition, room, and board for a total of $25,730. Subtracting $25,730 from $30,008 leaves a difference of $4,278.

If the student applies for maximum financial aid, scholarship, and student loan eligibility, the entire school balance would be paid, and an additional $4,278 would be given to the student in the form of a refund check. Because refunds are normally processed by the semester, this would create a refund of $2,139 in the fall, and $2,139 in the spring.

Refund checks have become normal for college students and are used to cover expenses like computers, books, supplies, extra food, clothing, transportation, and all the expenses that go along with college. However, students need to be put in check with their refunds. Students have been known to use student loan refunds for games, tech items, parties, and all manner of non-school-related activities. This is why there is a cap on refunds using the cost of attendance as a maximum. It is protection for the students and prevents them from accessing too much refund money at once.

Modifying your cost of attendance: It is possible to have your cost of attendance increased if you meet requirements as established by your financial aid office. The financial aid office can make adjustments to reflect your individual circumstances using professional judgment, sometimes referred to as PJ. The financial aid office may consider educational costs or the family's ability to pay when deciding on eligibility for professional judgment. Cost of attendance adjustments are limited to specific expenses that relate to the student and are educational in nature or are already listed in the cost of attendance but are much higher. Here are some common areas where students request an increased cost of attendance to reflect actual costs:

• Transportation costs, student health insurance, and student medical fees
• Increased board costs due to special diet dictated by medical or religious reasons
• Dependent care
• Disability-related expenses
• Cooperative education employment expenses
• Amount of education loan fees

By increasing the cost of attendance, the student can fit additional student funding into the account, producing a larger refund. It is important to note that increasing the cost of attendance can effectively increase the overall financial need of the student and may increase eligibility for subsidized Stafford loans or Perkins loans. Before applying for additional private loan funding, always make sure you have maximized eligibility for Stafford and Perkins loans.

FAQs

What is the "Cost of Attendance" (COA)?
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total amount it will cost a student to attend college for one academic year. It includes both direct and indirect expenses.

What’s the difference between direct and indirect college costs?
Direct costs are expenses you pay directly to the school, like tuition and campus housing. Indirect costs include things like textbooks, transportation, and personal expenses that vary per student.

Does the COA only apply to public universities?
No. COA estimates are provided for all types of institutions, public, private, community colleges, and trade schools, so students and families can better understand and plan for total expenses.

Why is knowing the COA important when planning for college?
Understanding COA helps you estimate how much financial aid you’ll need and what your out-of-pocket expenses might be. It’s a key part of building a realistic college budget.

How does COA relate to financial aid eligibility?
COA is used to calculate your financial need. Schools subtract your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Student Aid Index (SAI) from the COA to determine how much aid you may qualify for.

Are room and board always included in the COA?
Yes, room and board are typically part of the COA, whether you live on campus, off campus, or at home. The amounts may differ based on your living situation.

What other expenses are often included in the COA?
In addition to tuition and housing, COA may also include fees, supplies, transportation, meals, loan fees, and even childcare costs if applicable.

Does the COA change every year?
Yes. COA can fluctuate annually based on tuition hikes, changes in living expenses, and institutional fees. It's important to check each year’s updated estimate.

Where can I find a school’s official COA?
Most colleges and universities list their COA on their financial aid or admissions webpages. You can also contact the school’s financial aid office directly.

How can understanding COA help me make smarter financial decisions for college?
Knowing your full college costs allows you to compare schools, apply for the right amount of aid, and avoid borrowing more than necessary, helping you manage student debt more wisely.