<p>I wasn’t thinking of doing either. Quite that way…</p>
<p>Here’s what I’ve got: Billable COA - Financial aid package of grants & federal loans (EXCLUDING: Workstudy) = Amount I owe the college. </p>
<p>Then: Total COA - Billable COA = (-)Amount budgeted for personal expenses </p>
<p>That amount is a (-) negative because it’s an extra cost. I’m debited that amount (but it is not necessarily debt) but (+) credited work study which may cover part of it. </p>
<p>Yes. I imagine that’s how an accountant might describe it. ;)</p>
<p>I’d only say to keep in mind that
has only “personal expenses” on the right side of the equation. I’m assuming that’s because you’re lumping books and travel into “personal expenses” – I don’t believe most colleges combine those amounts, but as long as you know what you mean it’s all good. :)</p>
<p>I can’t balance a square for the life of me, but at least I can attempt to understand accounting. </p>
<p>Since “transportation/books/supplies/misc” was all given their own estimated budgets in my total COA on the finaid form, ALL of those are literally what is left over, and since I’m the one paying for it, I guess that’s all personal expenses in my head. </p>
<p>So yay. Figured that one all out. Jeez. These papers should come with instructions.</p>
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