Cost of Attendance Budget

Cost of Attendance (COA) reflects reasonable and realistic costs that a typical Daemen University
student will incur, in a given set of circumstances within a moderate lifestyle, to attend Daemen for a
given period of time.
COA may only include expenses incurred during the period of enrollment. Enrollment period generally
reflects nine months for an academic year (Fall and Spring terms).

Standard COA consists of six main components:

•  Tuition and fees;
•  Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment;
•  Transportation;
•  Miscellaneous personal expenses;
•  Federal loan fee allowance 1 ; and
•  Living expenses (housing and food).

Tuition, fees, housing, and food estimates reflect direct charges that will reflect on a student’s billing
statement. Differences between actual charges and COA estimates will be based on fees specific to
certain majors, courses, residence hall, or meal plan. The remaining components represent indirect
costs for out-of-pocket educationally related expenses. There may be differences between actual
charges and COA estimates; Daemen University does not guarantee that aid awarded will meet the full
COA estimates for a student.

1 Federal loan fee allowance (included under personal expense) is calculated as a single average by multiplying the average federal loan
amount borrowed by Daemen students by the fee percentage.

The following COA components may be added for students upon request as applicable. A student will
need to make a direct inquiry to the Daemen University Financial Aid Office in person (DS 111), through
email (finaid@daemen.edu) or phone (716-839-8254). An increase in COA for one or more of the costs
below will not result in a student receiving additional merit or need-based aid. The student will be
responsible for applying for additional loan funds if granted a COA increase. Documentation of
estimated costs may be requested prior to adjusting COA:

•  Dependent care;
•  Disability-related expenses;
•  Study abroad expenses;
•  Licensure, certification, or first professional credential if the academic program leads to a professional licensure, credential or certification;
  •  Cost of licensure/certification must be incurred during (not after) a period of enrollment, regardless of when the exam/licensing takes place.
•  Personal computer allowance; and
  •  Documentation of the cost of rental or purchase of a computing device will be required before adding the dollar amount to the COA.
  •  Students will be allowed a COA adjustment for a personal computing device once every three years during their enrollment period.
•  Cooperative education costs.

If a student is registered for a less than full-time course load, COA components must be adjusted, based
on number of credits and registration status (three-quarter time, half-time, or less than half-time). The
cost of attendance for less-than-half-time students will include only:

•  Tuition and fees;
•  Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment;
•  Transportation;
•  Federal loan fee allowance; and
•  Dependent care, disability-related expenses, study abroad expenses, and cooperative education costs (if applicable upon request).

Cost of Attendance Adjustment – Off-Campus living expenses (Budget Increase)

A student may submit a Cost of Attendance (COA) Budget Increase Appeal to the Financial Aid Office to
account for estimated off-campus expenses incurred during a given academic year, allowing the student
room in their financial aid package for additional loan funds. A Budget Increase Appeal will not result in
a student receiving additional merit or need-based aid. The student will be responsible for applying for
additional loan funds if granted a COA increase.

1. The student must request a Budget Appeal Increase with the Daemen University Financial Aid
     Office in person (DS 111), through email (finaid@daemen.edu) or phone (716-839-8254).
2. The request must contain monthly estimates for the following areas:
      a. Rent/mortgage
      b. Food/groceries
      c. Utilities (gas, electric, water, and internet)
      d. Gas
      e. Car insurance
3. Monthly estimates are considered the student’s portion; if a student shares expenses with a
    spouse/roommate the documented expenses should be listed as no more than half of the actual
    expense.
4. The Budget Increase Appeal is signed by the student and the Financial Aid Counselor. Upon
    both signatures, it is submitted to the Director of Financial Aid for approval.
5. If approved, the student’s file is documented with the amount of the Budget Increase. The
    amount of the Budget Increase is then used, in conjunction with the COA, for loan calculation.