UTD posted a letter to DD20 account regarding COA as below:
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2020-2021
On Campus Residence Off Campus Residence
Tuition and fees+ $14,362
Housing and meals $11,762 $11,474
Books and supplies $1,200
Transportation $1,540 $2,672
Other education costs $2,330
Estimated COA $31,194 / yr $32,038 / yr
I could not find an answer for “Other education costs”, anybody can enlighten me what it is? Thanks a lot!
Many times other education costs are personal spending, the occasional eating out or buying food for your refrigerator. It is not a cost that going to college creates but will be there either way. It might also be health insurance costs. If you are an international student, it is required and it is about $200/mo. If you are covered by your parents, great but if not, you might consider buying it. Also, my daughter has never spent $1200/yr for books. She normally rents them for a fraction of the cost.
That is what is sometimes called “personal expenses” on COA - remember loans can cover COA - so more than just what is paid to the school for room, board, tuition & fees.
My UTD daughter is not a spender. I think she spent less than $1000 all semester for personal expenses, including social activities. And with her major - she has purchased some software, but only one book. That was well under the estimated $1200.
@GTAustin, @BlueBayouAZ, Thank you so much for the info. My kid is not a big spender, and now I know that NMF scholarship can cover as a full ride, even UTD does not want to say so publicly.