A FAQ on Cost of Attendance With OU's Executive Director of Financial Aid
Courtney Henderson
Executive Director of Financial Aid
As the executive director of OU's Financial Aid, Courtney Henderson offers her expertise to future students and their supporters as they navigate the cost of a degree from the University of Oklahoma. Below, Courtney breaks down common questions around the cost of attendance, like what it is, what is included, and everything between.
The cost of attendance (COA) is a calculated estimate that covers how much it may cost a student to live in Norman and attend the University of Oklahoma during a 10-month period. When considering the cost of college, families should consider more than just tuition and fee rates, like other expenses that come with a student moving to a new city, living independently, and attending school. The COA takes all of this into consideration, so students and families know what to expect in advance.
The Department of Education requires institutions to include certain expenses when calculating the estimated COA and provides guidelines for these calculations. Expenses that all students should plan to pay include:
Students may need additional funding for other expenses like travel and personal and miscellaneous costs. Car maintenance, flights home, seasonal clothing, and decor for a residential hall are examples of costs a student may be responsible for when living independently from family and supporters. Including these in the COA allows scholarships and financial aid resources to be offered to cover these personal costs in addition to tuition and fees.
Because it is not a required term, summer term is also not included in the COA. After a student enrolls in summer classes, the COA is adjusted to include estimated costs for the additional credit hours and period of enrollment.
No, it is not the same for all students. Variables like degree level, state residency, housing choice, enrollment status, and length of enrollment are a few reasons why students will have varying cost estimates. For example, an Oklahoma graduate student who enrolls as a part-time student for only one semester and lives off campus will have a different cost estimate than a full-time, out-of-state undergraduate student who lives on campus for the full academic year.
OU is required to post the estimated COA for specific student groups on the Student Financial Center's Cost of Attendance webpage. Reviewing the COA that fits your circumstances with your family and supporters is the best way to estimate what annual costs could be.
Keep in mind, there are additional costs to be considered that are not included in the COA, like Greek Life fees, athletic tickets, housing choices that come with a higher cost, and more. For example, the COA calculation uses an average cost for on-campus and off-campus housing, which may be listed at a different rate than a student's preferred housing option.
