Cost of Attendance Adjustments

Requesting Cost of Attendance Adjustments

Student Financial Services staff may adjust a student's Cost of Attendance (COA) for non-standard expenses within the narrow scope listed below. 

This is only helpful to students who are already funded up to the COA and have another source of aid available, such as the Federal Direct PLUS Loan, a private student loan, scholarships, etc.

All adjustments are made at the discretion of staff in Student Financial Services.

COA Adjustment Circumstances

  • Students with dependents may have their COA adjusted to include childcare/eldercare expenses. The childcare/eldercare can include times when the student is not in class, but is studying.

    To request this increase, a student should contact Student Financial Services to request the Consideration of Childcare/Eldercare Expenses form.

  • The COA may be increased for special equipment or supplies related to a disability or a specific course or major, e.g. art supplies.

    For course/major related supplies, a student will be required to provide documentation from the faculty member indicating the need for the item and an appropriate cost.

    To request this increase, a student should email Student Financial Services detailing the need and cost of the items they intend to purchase.

  • A student's COA includes $1,550 to purchase a computer. If a student needs a computer that exceeds this price, they can receive a one-time increase to the COA for the purchase of a computer. If granted, the student will be advanced the funds via an aid refund and then will be required to provide proof of purchase or the resulting changes will be reversed.

    The student can choose between a PC, laptop or tablet. Funding is not provided for multiple items. A student who has been granted the request as an undergraduate may make the request again as a graduate student if a sufficient time period has passed.

    To request this increase, a student should email Student Financial Services detailing the cost of the computer they intend to purchase. They will need to provide a letter from their academic department verifying the need for such items.

  • The COA may be increased to account for the purchase of the university's health insurance. Increases will not be made until the purchase of insurance has been confirmed.

    To request this increase, a student should email Student Financial Services noting that they are purchasing the university's insurance and would like the COA increased.