Standard Cost of Attendance

To consider a student for federal financial aid, the College of Charleston must assign a student expense budget to each aid applicant. The student expense budget includes direct cost of tuition and fees, room, meals (assumes 21 meals per week), and indirect cost of books/supplies, transportation, personal/miscellaneous, and average loan fees for students accepting loans. The non-direct cost components of the student expense budget such as books/supplies, off-campus housing, transportation, personal/miscellaneous expenses are determined by a survey of students and then adjusted annually by the rate of the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI). Students can see their entire personal cost of attendance via CougarTrail.

The following are the components of the Cost of Attendance.

	Tuition and Fees
	The Board of Trustees set the 2007-2008 tuition and fee charges on June 4, 2007. The standard costs are based on a full-time student, taking at least 12 credit hours. Estimated per credit hour costs for students enrolled in less than 12 hours are $ 324 for in-state and $ 781 for out-of-state students. Tuition and fees are subject to change. Visit the Treasurer's Office for a complete list of fees. The Office of Legal Residency officially determines a student's residency status.
	Residence Halls and Housing Costs
	The housing plans (on campus, off campus and living with parent) identified by the student on the FAFSA are used to assign the proper housing component. If the housing plans question on the FAFSA is left blank, we assign the lowest housing costs figure. On campus students are assigned a weighted average costs of a room, $ 6,179 per year. For a complete list of rooms and costs, visit Residence Life and Housing, although choosing a different residence hall will not affect a student's cost of attendance. Off campus students are assigned an average housing cost, $ 6,841, which is based on the most recent student expense survey. An off campus student is expect to have at least one roommate. For student living with parents, there is no housing allowance.
	Meal Plans and Food Costs
	For on campus students, the meal plan used for the cost of attendance is the 21 meals per week plan. Alternative plans are available through Campus Dining Services, although choosing a different meal plan will not affect a student's cost of attendance. Off campus students and students living with parents are assigned $ 2,317, a rate determined by the student expense survey.
	Books and Supplies
	The budget amount of $ 1,123 for undergraduates and $ 842 for graduates (or $ 46.79 per credit hour) includes textbooks, supplies, typing, photocopying, etc.
	Personal/Miscellaneous
	The average cost is $ 1,573 and includes medical/dental expenses for insurance, concerts, clothing, laundry, newspapers, books for leisure, toiletries, movies, dry cleaning, magazines, plays, sporting events and life insurance. Alcoholic beverages, presents, credit cards, Greek dues are excluded. This amount is applied for all students, although students have control over these expenses. Childcare costs are not automatically included, although they may be included on a case-by-case basis by contacting the Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs.
	Commuter Costs
	Off campus students and those living with parents are budgeted for 53.07 miles a week at 50.5 cents per mile. All students are allotted $678 for parking expenses.
	Transportation
	On campus and off campus students are budgeted with an allowance based on the survey averages but limited to no more than four round trips home annually. For South Carolina residents this amount is $ 480; for nonresidents it is $ 2,203.
	Averaged Loan Fees
	Averaged loan fees based on the student loan volume for undergraduate and graduate students are included as required by the U.S. Department of Education. For undergraduate students this amount is $ 22; for graduates, $ 61.
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All figures on this page are subject to change without notice.