What is "cost of attendance?"
When planning for college expenses, you will want to consider "cost of attendance," which is the sum of tuition and fees, housing and food, and personal expenses (which range from textbooks to travel to toothpaste). When you apply for financial aid, the University will use this "cost of attendance" figure when calculating your financial aid package.
-The COA includes estimates of direct charges and indirect costs.
Direct Charges are posted to your student account which can be viewed in Access Stout. Examples: Tuition and Fees, Food and Housing (if you live on campus).
Indirect costs are educational expenses that are not posted to your student account. Examples: course materials, supplies and equipment, Miscellaneous Personal expenses.
To better budget your total charges, find your Estimated Cost by using the Net Price Calculator located on the Student Tuition, Fees & Payments page. Find more about individual charges on the Housing, Dining, and Fees.
Note: An average amount for Federal student loan fees may also be added to your budget based on the type of loans you receive.
Determining Need
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is calculated from information provided on the FAFSA. It is used to determine your eligibility for need-based aid: like grants, work-study, and subsidized loans.
Use this equation to find your need:
- Cost of Attendance- Student Aid Index (SAI- Formerly EFC) = Financial Need
Note: starting in the 2024-2025 FAFSA application, Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace EFC.
Visit the Federal Student Aid site to estimate your Federal Student Aid.
If you need additional financial assistance to cover the remainder of the bill, look into other types of available aid such as Federal Parent Plus Loans, Federal Graduate Plus Loans, Alternative/ Private Loans, or scholarships.