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Costs of Attendance

The Office of Financial Aid establishes standard student budgets each year as a basis for awarding financial aid funds. The cost of attendance for a student is an estimate of that student’s educational expenses for the period of enrollment. SUNY Downstate uses an average, rather than actual expenses. The cost of attendance for the financial aid programs is a student’s cost for the period in which the aid is intended.

The cost of attendance is determined by law (Higher Education Act, Sec. 472) and is not subject to regulation by the Department of Education. The law specifies the types of costs that are included in the cost of attendance, but SUNY Downstate determines the appropriate amount to include.

A student’s cost of attendance generally is the sum of the following: The tuition and fees normally assessed for a student carrying the same academic workload, An allowance for books, supplies, transportation, miscellaneous personal expenses, and an allowance for room and board. We are not permitted to include costs such as credit card bills, costs prior to attendance, review classes not required by the school, or costs during the summer when school is not in session. A Financial Aid Cost of Attendance IS NOT a personal budget. The Financial Aid Budget is a good starting point to create a personal budget.

The total amount of financial aid you can receive is limited by your financial aid budget — an average of costs based on residency (in-state or out of state), type of program, and other factors. The costs taken into consideration in the budget include tuition, fees, housing and meals, books, supplies, medical expenses, transportation, and personal expenses.

Direct charges include tuition, fees, room and board. Indirect charges include books, transportation, medical expenses, and personal expenses. While actual expenses will vary based on your lifestyle and level of enrollment, the estimated costs listed below should assist you in planning your own budget.

Q) What is the difference between a Financial Aid cost of attendance and a personal budget?
A) A personal budget should take every expense you have into consideration while a Financial Aid cost of attendance is permitted according to the (Higher Education Act, Sec. 472) to take ONLY educational related expenses. That is why in the financial aid cost of attendance budgets you do not see all the possible categories of expenses you may have.
Q) What do I have to pay to the school?
A) You are responsible for tuition, fees, and if you stay in the SUNY Downstate Dorm the rental fee. All other expenses are expenses that are estimated you may incur while attending school.
Q) Are the figures in the Financial Aid cost of attendance an average?
A) Yes, we use an average range for the categories we are permitted to use to create a cost of attendance. If your actual charges are larger then the estimate you may come into the office with proof and we can adjust the budget accordingly.

Appeals of the Cost of Attendance

Sometimes unexpected or extraordinary situations occur which can cause a student to need money in excess of what has been allocated for the entire year.  In these circumstances, the student can write a letter of appeal which explains what has happened. Documentation, such as bills paid and receipts, must accompany the letter. Only expenses relating to the student may be submitted. The appeal will be reviewed and, if approved as legitimate costs, the additional expenses may be added to the budget as a “professional judgment” and funded with additional student financial aid. Appeals cannot be made for the purchase of a car, to pay off consumer charges (credit card accounts) or other family member’s expenses. Most professional judgment appeals involve medical expenses.

 

Average estimated costs for the following categories are available.

 

    Please note: Every effort was made to reflect realistic costs which students might incur. If you feel you have special circumstances not covered in your budget, you may file a Petition for Consideration of Exception to Financial Aid Policy. This form may be found in the Office of Financial Aid. However, a budget increase does not qualify you for an increase in aid, other than loans.