When awarding financial aid, schools must take into account a Cost of Attendance (COA). Federal, state and institutional aid cannot exceed this cost. The official Cost of Attendance includes:

• Tuition and Fees - The actual costs that a student incurs will vary depending upon the student’s college and the number of hours of enrollment. To learn more about actual tuition and fee rates, visit the Office of Accounting's Tuition and Fee Rates page.
• Books and Supplies - Costs are estimated using information from local bookstores.
• Room and Board - The room and board component of the Cost of Attendance is assessed based on whether you live on-campus, off-campus, or commute from home. Financial aid can be used to cover Room and Board for all three living arrangements. Your actual costs may vary from our estimates. We assume a roommate in the on- or off-campus budget. It is your choice where you live and if you choose to have a roommate, but our office will not increase your budget based on your choices unless there are unusual circumstances for which you successfully appeal.
• Transportation - The transportation allowance is for a student to get to campus, not to maintain a vehicle. University shuttles and the Austin city buses transport students around campus and Austin for free.
• Miscellaneous Expenses - The miscellaneous part of the cost of attendance is for personal expenses. Actual expenses will vary.
• Loan Fees - The average cost of the fees required to receive Direct Loans.