Calculating Financial Aid Awards and Cost of Attendance

We know educational costs can be daunting. We're here to help you sort it out! Educational costs vary among schools, and each school will calculate the Cost of Attendance (COA) for each financial aid applicant. We use average cost figures based on full-time (12 credit hours per semester) enrollment with in-state tuition. The COA includes costs of tuition and fees, books and supplies, estimated room and board, miscellaneous and transportation expenses. Your financial need is then based on your cost of attendance minus your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your total awards cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

Schools use your EFC to determine your financial need. Your EFC is a measure of your family’s financial resources and indicates how much you and your parents (if a dependent student) should be able to contribute toward paying for your education. The EFC is calculated from the information you report on your FAFSA. The EFC also lets the school know how much, if any, Pell Grant you may receive.

The chart below lists example costs for Fall and Spring semesters. These figures are averages; your costs may be different. Financial aid awards are made based on full-time (12 credit hours per semester) enrollment. If you are enrolled less than full-time, your COA will be updated after course attendance reporting is completed. Financial aid awards may be adjusted due to change in COA. The COA cannot be adjusted for actual expenses; some consideration may be possible for students with dependent care expenses due to school attendance. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information on that exception.

The COA is not the amount owed to Clark State. To obtain an estimate of overall expenses and potential grant and scholarship aid at Clark State, please go to our Net Price Calculator.

**Chart assumes Fall and Spring semester enrollment, 12 credit hour enrollment per each semester with in-state tuition.