The Arkansas Colleges of Health Education establishes an Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) budget for students annually dependent upon his or her program of study and in accordance with regulations governing federal student aid programs. Cost of attendance is an estimated amount of student’s educational expenses for an aid-year based upon if living in on-campus housing or off-campus housing. The COA number sets a limit on the total amount of aid (loans, stipends, scholarships, etc.) a student may receive for educational expenses. Students are expected to budget accordingly to stay within their Estimated Cost of Attendance.
Educational expenses include both direct and indirect costs a student may reasonably expect to incur while enrolled in their program of study. Direct costs include the actual costs billed to the student for tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and any institution-billed supplies. Indirect costs are an estimate of a student’s required books and supplies, housing, food, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. Educational expenses do not include non-allowable costs (consumer debt, spousal expenses, deposits, relocation expenses, vehicle purchase/lease or during periods of non-attendance).
Click here for the estimated Cost of Attendance for the following programs:
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Master of Science in Biomedicine
Master of Public Health
Students should plan to cover expenses that are due before they receive their financial aid refunds. Students should consider out-of-pocket expenses, such as books, supplies, relocation, deposits for housing and utilities, monthly payments, daycare, etc.
Students should create a budget to help manage their finances including knowing when and how their money is being spent. A budget also helps with knowing what are the necessary and unnecessary expenses, allows for easy adjustment of spending if needed and to help prepare for the expected or unexpected costs that may arise. Creating and following a budget helps students achieve short-term, medium-term and long-term goals and increases academic success. Learn more about budgeting by clicking here.
In rare circumstances, a student may request an approval for a modest increase to his or her cost of attendance through the Office of Financial Aid, but not all requests will be approved. Generally, requests are related to child-care expenses, a one-time computer/educational device purchase, unexpected medical expenses, or major car repairs while a student. The Estimated Cost of Attendance is subject to change without notice. Cost of Attendance Adjustment forms may be requested from the Office of Financial Aid generally after September 1 of each aid year. Each individual request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will be notified if an increase was approved.
