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Cost of Attendance&

Needs Analysis

Cathy CrawleyGeorgia College & State University

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisBasic Cost of Attendance Components

• Apply to all Title IV programs

• Three basic components1) Tuition and Fees2) Books, supplies, transportation, miscellaneous

personal expenses, including a reasonable allowance for the rental or purchase of a personal computer

3) Room and Board

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisAdditional Components

Dependent care Disability-related expenses Study Abroad expenses Cooperative education program

expenses Loan Fees

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisGeneral Concepts for Developing Budgets

Once costs are established, they must be applied consistently

If the school’s COA policy permits exceptions, the school must clearly document any exception made to its policy

The Federal Pell Grant Program COA always is based on full-time attendance for a full academic year

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisGeneral Concepts (Continued)

For the other Title IV programs, COA calculations:

Typically are based on expenses for a full-time student for a full academic year

Appropriate adjustments should be made for students who are:

• Enrolled less than full time, or• Are attending or receiving aid for

less than a full academic year

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisAllowable Costs

Tuition and Fees:May use actual or average tuition

chargesMay establish separate averages for

separate categoriesIf one average tuition charge is used, it

must be a weighted average

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisExample: Weighted Average Tuition Charge

In-state tuition = $2,000; out-of-state = $4,000

9,000 in-state students; 1,000 OOS students

Weighted Average$2,000 x 9,000 = $18,000,000$4,000 x 1,000 = $ 4,000,000

$22,000,000$22,000,000 / 10,000 = $2,200

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

A school may establish a single allowance for books and supplies or allowances for different categories

Transportation allowances must be reasonable Miscellaneous personal allowance should enable a

reasonable standard of living Reasonable costs for rental or purchase of computer

equipment are allowed if: The student is enrolled at least half time The computer may be purchased in the summer for use

during the following fall enrollment period The school’s polices and procedures should include the

conditions under which the allowance is permitted, the amount permitted, and what documentation is required

The computer does not have to be required by major

Books, Supplies, Transportation, Misc.

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisAllowable Costs (continued)

Room and Board (Three Categories)1) Students without dependents living at

home with parent(s)2) Students without dependents living in

institutionally-owned or operated housing

3) All other students

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisOther Expenses

Dependent Care Allowance:Dependent may be the student’s child

or other personMay not exceed reasonable cost in the

community for the kind of care providedIncludes class time, study time, field

work, internships, and commuting time

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisOther Expenses (continued)

Disability-Related Expense Allowance Student’s disability-related expenses not provided for by

another agency or program Must be determined and documented on an individual basis

Cooperative Education Expenses Costs associated with employment such as commuting or

transportation costs, meals away from home, and any other costs the student incurs as a result of the work experience

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

Study Abroad Reasonable costs associated with study abroad The study abroad program need not be a

requirement of the student’s degree program, but must be approved for credit by the institution

If under consortium or contractual agreement , the student’s home institution must accept for credit the coursework the student completes while enrolled in the study abroad program

Other Expenses (continued)

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisOther Expenses (continued)

Education Loan FeesMust be included in COA if the student has

borrowed a FFEL or Direct LoanMay use actual or average fee amount for FFEL

or Direct LoanMay use actual fees for all other types of

educational loans (private) If the loan is declined or lower amounts

requested, must ensure no over-award

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisCost of Attendance Components:

Category Restrictions Costs are more restrictive for students who are:

Enrolled less than half time Enrolled in correspondence courses Incarcerated

Less-than-half time students Tuition and fees Books, supplies, and transportation Dependent care expenses NO room and board

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisCOA Restrictions (continued)

Correspondence study:Tuition and feesBooks and supplies, if requiredRoom, board, and transportation if incurred

specifically for required residential training

Incarcerated Students:Tuition and feesBooks and supplies, if required

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

Flexibility in developing budgets for students with documented exceptional circumstances

Cannot include post-enrollment costs

Cannot create new COA components

Cost of Attendance Professional Judgment

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

Recalculation of Pell COA is not required for cost changes unless the school’s policy is to recalculate for a change in costs

When recalculation of a Pell award is required, any changes to the Federal Pell Grant COA must be taken into account

Recalculation of COA: Federal Pell Grant

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

Review of COA is required to determine whether or not a student is over-awarded if the student receives an additional resource not included in the calculation of the student’s campus-based eligibility

Recalculation of COA and Need: Campus Based Programs

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

Realistic Adequate Moderate Non-manipulative Documented

Purpose and Principles of Student Budget Construction

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

Basic Need Equation:

Cost of Attendance –Expected Family Contribution =

Financial Need

Financial Need

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs AnalysisExpected Family Contribution

All data used to calculate the EFC comes from the information the student and parent(s) provides on the FAFSA

The law provides three different formulas to calculate the EFC: one for dependent students, one for independent students without dependents other than a spouse, and one for independent students with dependents other than a spouse

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Cost of Attendance &

Needs Analysis

Further information available from Federal Student Aid Handbook

2009-2010 Federal Student Aid HandbookVolume 3 – Calculating Awards and Packaging

Chapter 2 Cost of Attendance (Budget)

Available online at www.ifap.ed.gov

Questions???