Policy

The Cost of Attendance is the cornerstone of establishing a student’s financial need, as it set limits on the total aid that a student may receive for purposes of the Campus-Based Programs, State and Institutional aid and Stafford/Plus loans, and is one of the main components of the Pell Grant calculation. COA is an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for students at one’s school, rather than actual expenses. Fayetteville State University uses standard cost categories that are applied uniformly to all students in categories such as, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and miscellaneous fees. A school may have a different standard costs for different categories, such as cost of attendance for in state tuition  that have a lower tuition and a higher cost of attendance for out of state students with a higher tuition rate.

Fayetteville State University uses data from sister schools in the UNC System, the College Board, Director of Business Services and student surveys to estimate the direct and indirect costs of the Cost of Attendance Budget. Students have choices about where they live while attending FSU: at home with parents or relatives, on campus in a residence hall or off campus. The costs have been developed as guides to help students anticipate their costs at Fayetteville State University. Some students will spend more than the typical amounts, others less, depending on individual lifestyles and circumstances. A student’s eligibility for financial aid, however, will not be based on individual preferences and spending habits, but on the standard budget allowances.

Explanation of each category:

• Tuition/Fees - Actual tuition/fee rate per Division of Business and Finance
• Room/Board - Estimated Room/Board rate per various on campus accommodations
• Books/Supplies - Rate of book rental and estimated supplies rate
• Transportation - Estimated transportation expenses such as gas, car mileage, car maintenance
• Miscellaneous - Estimated amounts for a computer, Bronco mobile phone, other educational expenses