The Financial Aid office may exercise professional judgment to increase the Cost of Attendance (COA) to account for extraordinary expenses a student might acquire while attending school. The Cost of Attendance includes living and school related expenses that are necessary for the student to reasonably complete their studies. Financial aid will not be increased to cover a student’s choice to take on unreasonable or unnecessary expenses.
To explore the possibility of a cost of attendance appeal, students should contact AU Central to speak with a student services counselor first.

Students should review the appropriate cost of attendance budget to determine if their expected costs are already covered in our estimates.

Students may request an increase in their cost of attendance due to additional housing expenses above those already included in the standard cost of attendance.

A student can request an increase in the Cost of Attendance due to extraordinary travel expenses above the standard travel allotment in the student budget.

The U. S. Department of Education permits schools to include in
a student’s COA the purchase of a computer.  The maximum amount that the COA will be increased for computer purchase is $1,500.  Students may receive a COA increase for a computer purchase only once during their academic program.

The increase of a COA does not mean the student will receive an increase in AU financial assistance.  The only funds available for an approved COA
increase are Federal Direct Stafford Loans (if limits have not already been reached), Federal Parent or Graduate PLUS Loans or private educational loans. 

To be considered for a COA appeal, students should fax the request along with documentation of the additional expenses to 202 885-1025.  This may include a signed rental agreement or lease, a payment receipt for a computer purchase, or documentation of study abroad related expenses.
 

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