Lesson 2.2 · 3 minCost of attendance, line by lineCost of attendance, line by line
Use this lesson to read the cost of attendance one line at a time and see which costs the school will bill and which ones you will handle yourself. The total also sets the ceiling on the aid a school can offer you, so knowing what goes into it helps you plan.
Direct costs on your bill
Direct costs are the charges the school posts to your student account. Tuition and required fees always belong here, and so do housing and a meal plan when you live on campus. These amounts are usually firm for the year, though fees can vary by program and some majors carry extra lab or course charges.
Compare these lines with the school's published tuition and fee schedule for your program and year. If you plan to take a heavier or lighter course load than the offer assumes, ask how that changes the bill, because many schools charge by the credit hour.
Indirect costs you pay yourself
Indirect costs are expenses the school expects you to have but does not charge. Books, course materials and supplies are common lines, along with transportation and personal costs such as a phone, toiletries and laundry. Students who live off campus or with family see a housing and food allowance here in place of a room and meal plan charge.
These figures are averages the school sets for students in a similar situation. Your actual spending might run higher or lower, depending on where you live, how far you travel and what your courses require. Treat the indirect lines as a planning estimate rather than a bill you owe.
Costs the school can add
A cost of attendance can include more than the standard lines. Schools may build in an allowance for federal loan fees, and they can add costs for dependent care, expenses related to a disability, study abroad or a required license or certification. These additions usually come only after you tell the aid office about them and provide documentation.
A higher cost of attendance makes room for more aid, and that extra room is often filled with loans. Ask the office what kind of aid would cover the added costs before you decide whether to request a change.
Try this week
- Highlight the costs that will appear on your bill
- Find your school's published tuition and fee schedule
- Estimate your own book and travel costs for one term
- List any child care or disability costs to raise with the aid office
Takeaway. Only the direct costs arrive as a bill, but the whole cost of attendance shapes your plan.