*The cost of attendance is based off the full 9-month academic year.

In compliance with federal regulations, the Financial Aid Office has determined a cost of attendance that includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, personal expenses and transportation. These components are costs that relate to the individual student and are educational in nature as specified by Section 472 of the Higher Education Act. A student’s total financial aid package, including scholarships, grants, other external resources, and federal student aid should not exceed the COA. Financial Aid Administrators are allowed to make adjustments to the established components in the COA but are not allowed to create additional or new categories.

Financial Aid Administrators have the authority to use professional judgment to make reasonable adjustments to allowable expenses for special circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Professional judgment is the discretion granted by law to make adjustments to costs within the COA components. However, nothing requires a financial aid administrator to exercise this authority nor is it unlimited. Institutions have the option not to use PJ in any circumstance. Budgeting is an exceedingly individual process and a significant part includes one’s available resources, such as personal assets and financial assistance. As such, budget adjustments are intended for special and unusual expenses that differentiates a student from other students enrolled in the same program. In other words, PJ cannot be considered for a condition that exists for a whole class of students.