The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an annual estimate of what a student might spend during a given enrollment period. It determines the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive for the academic year, including loans, as required by federal regulations.
The COA includes both direct and indirect educational costs. Direct costs may include tuition and fees charged by the institution. Indirect costs are estimated expenses such as books, supplies, equipment, housing, food, transportation, personal expenses, federal student loan fees, and certain costs related to obtaining a first professional license.
Some expenses are not allowed to be included in the COA under federal guidelines. These may include consumer debt, spousal expenses, housing deposits, relocation costs, and vehicle purchases or lease payments. For students living in housing on a military base, or for those receiving a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) under Section 403(b) of Title 37 of the United States Code, federal regulations allow institutions to include a reasonable food allowance in the COA, but housing costs cannot be included.
Standard COA amounts are based on full-time enrollment for each academic period. If a student’s enrollment dates or attendance pattern differ from the standard schedule for their program, their individual COA may be adjusted accordingly.
Students are encouraged to plan carefully and budget within their COA to support responsible financial management throughout their enrollment.
The COA is subject to change without notice.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Doctor of Medical Science
Doctor of Public Health
Master of Science in Biomedicine
Master of Public Health
Students are encouraged to plan ahead for expenses that may be due before financial aid refunds are available. Financial aid is intended to help cover educational expenses, but students are not required to borrow the full amount offered in their financial aid package. Many students find they can manage their expenses while borrowing less than their full COA. Careful budgeting and tracking actual expenses can help students make informed financial decisions throughout their enrollment.
Helpful budgeting resources are available through AAMC FIRST (Association of American Medical Colleges Financial Information, Resources, Services, and Tools) and Federal Student Aid StudentAid.gov. These tools can help students build a budget, manage expenses, and better understand borrowing and repayment options.
In rare circumstances, students may request an increase to their COA by submitting the Cost of Attendance Increase Request Form, available on ACHE Connect. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and approval is not guaranteed. Generally, requests are related to child-care expenses, a one-time computer purchase, unexpected medical expenses, or major car repair while attending. Students will be notified of the decision once the review is complete.
