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Financial Aid Cost of Attendance for Student Parents
Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total amount it costs for a student to attend college for one academic year. It includes all expenses you need to pay for school and living, not just tuition. COA is made up of direct costs, which are paid directly to the school, like tuition, fees, and on-campus housing or meal plans, and indirect costs, which cover expenses you pay for living and studying, such as books and supplies, transportation, childcare, and personal expenses. Your financial aid is based on your COA, which includes the average estimated costs for attending colleges within the San Mateo County Community College District, showing how much money you might need to cover all your school-related costs for the year. However, SMCCCD Financial Aid Offices understand that students may have expenses higher than the standard budget, for example: higher childcare expenses. To have your COA re-considered, please complete and submit a Financial Aid Cost of Attendance Appeal with your Financial Aid Office. Additional costs, such as exams, licenses, and required supplies, will be added to a student’s COA if they are directly related to the student’s Program of Study (POS). Adjustments to the COA will not be made if the student changes their POS at any time during the academic year.