Admission & Aid Paying for College Financial Aid Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance

 

What is Cost of Attendance (COA)?

Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total estimated cost a student may pay while attending the Alamo Colleges for one academic year. These costs are either directly payable to Alamo Colleges District, or indirectly paid as part of student's basic living expenses.

 

What is COA used for?

The Student Financial Aid Office is responsible for calculating the COA annually to determine the maximum amount of financial aid a student may receive for the year. The COA is commonly referred to as a “budget,” as the total amount of grants, scholarships, and loans offered to a student may not exceed the COA.

 

How is my COA determined?

A student's COA will be determined based upon their Residency status — whether they are classified as In-District, Out-of-District, or Non-Texas Resident.

It will also depend on a student's Dependency status — whether they are classified as Dependent or Independent on their financial aid application. Dependent students are automatically assigned a COA of 'Residing With Parents at Home'.

Should your actual residence plans differ from this automated assignment, please contact our office to complete a Confirmation of Housing Status Form.

 

Included Costs
  • Tuition and Fees: The average cost of tuition and fees for an student enrolled full time (15 hours Fall/Spring). To view the Alamo Tuition and Fees page, click here. — Direct Cost
  • Housing and Food: A reasonable estimate of what it would cost to live in San Antonio while attending school. Actual costs may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances. — Indirect Cost
  • Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment: The average cost of these materials for a typical student for an entire academic year. — Indirect Cost
  • Transportation: Average transportation expenses are based on an average 30 mile round trip to campus. Actual transportation costs will vary depending on personal proximity to the campus and mode of transportation. — Indirect Cost
  • Personal and Miscellaneous: Average expenses are calculated based on items that a student may expect to spend money on such as personal computers, personal items, or emergency expenses. — Indirect Cost
Cost of Attendance Breakdown

 

Texas In-District Student

Texas residents residing in Bexar County.

 

Cost Categories

 

Residing with Parents at Home

 

Residing without Parents off Campus
Tuition and Fees $3,412 $3,412
Housing and Food  $7,836 $14,252

Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment 

  $500 $500
Transportation $2,904 $2,904
Personal and Miscellaneous  $2,802 $2,802
Total Estimated Costs: $17,454 $23,870
 

 

Texas Out-of-District Student

Texas residents residing outside of Bexar County.

Cost Categories

Residing with Parents at Home

 

Residing without Parents off Campus

 
Tuition and Fees  $5,542 $5,542
Housing and Food  $7,836 $14,252

Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

  $500 $500
Transportation $2,904 $2,904
Personal and Miscellaneous  $2,802 $2,802
Total Estimated Costs: $19,584 $26,000
 

 

Non-Texas Resident Student

 A U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident who has not lived in Texas for the past 12 months.

Cost Categories

Residing with Parents at Home

 

Residing without  Parents off Campus

 
Tuition and Fees  $9,952 $9,952
Housing and Food  $7,836 $14,252

Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

  $500 $500
Transportation $2,904 $2,904
Personal and Miscellaneous  $2,802 $2,802
Total Estimated Costs: $23,994 $30,410

 

How do I request changes to my COA?

The Student Financial Aid office understands that there may be unexpected personal expenses and education costs that are not accounted for in the published COA. 

Students with special circumstances may submit a Cost of Attendance Adjustment Form, in order for our office to make a determination on if changes are possible. The form may be requested by contacting the Student Financial Aid office.

Types of COA Adjustments Processed
  • Educational expenses above the estimated COA
  • Housing and food expenses above the estimated COA
  • Transportation expenses above estimated COA (uninsured repairs or round-trip mileage over 150 miles/week)
  • Computer purchase expense (considered only once as an Alamo student)
  • Unusual medical, dental, vision expenses during the current academic year
  • Childcare or private school expenses for dependents during the current academic year
  • Professional license/credential certification costs