<p>COA is just a number for some average expenses that include
- Tuition (IS or OOS that can be very different for public universities, the same for private ones) and fees
- Books & Supplies (software, laptop, paper, all kind of computer stuff you might need)
- Room & Board (on campus it includes housing with all the utilities, internet and some meal plan)
- Transportation
- Personal Expenses</p>
<p>Since it is average it can go up or down depending on circumstances.</p>
<p>For example, if you live OOS or somewhere on the other coast your transportation expenses (travel home and back) would be much higher than average. If you live very close to the university your transportation expenses would be almost non-existent. Transportation expenses usually don’t include parking fees for keeping a car on campus (something about $800 at UT) or gas expenses if you drive around the city.</p>
<p>Expenses that can go down are books (you can buy them used, kindle or rent them instead of buying), housing (living off campus is usually cheaper unless university is located in a very upscale and expensive neighborhood; for finaid purposes it doesn’t matter if you live in a dorm or rent an apartment) and personal expenses (no eating out, no movies and other entertainment, shopping in dollar stores and thrift stores etc some pretty frugal life).
One of really important parts of personal expenses is medical insurance. If you are not included in your parents’ insurance you have to find out if you must buy one on campus or not. If you must buy one it will be not cheap for EFC 0. Some universities don’t require insurance and just provide student health services with big discounts.
Also, depending on the university some fees can be waived for EFC 0.</p>