The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimation of what it will reasonably cost a student to attend a given institution for a given period of time, usually one academic year...

The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimation of what it will reasonably cost a student to attend a given institution for a given period of time, usually one academic year. COA is one element of need analysis, the other being student aid index (SAI). A student’s need for federal student aid is determined by subtracting SAI from COA. The law defines COA as the total of several categories of expenses (see subtopics).

Related terms: Need Analysis; Net Price Calculator

The cost of attendance (COA) is the estimation of what it will reasonably cost a student to attend a given institution for a given period of time, usually one academic year. COA is one element of need analysis, the other being student aid index (SAI). A student’s need for federal student aid is determined by subtracting SAI from COA. The law defines COA as the total of several categories of expenses (see subtopics).

Related terms: Need Analysis; Net Price Calculator

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