Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance (COA) is determined annually by the Student Financial Aid office based on the average costs a student may pay while attending the Alamo Colleges District for an academic year, August to May.
These average costs will vary depending on whether a student is classified as dependent or independent based on their FAFSA or TASFA, and whether their residency is In-District, Out-of-District, or Out-of-State. The costs shown are either directly payable to Alamo Colleges District, or indirectly paid as part of normal living expenses.
Estimating a student's overall Cost of Attendance enables the Student Financial Aid Office to determine your total financial need and offer financial aid that may cover expenses beyond tuition and fees. The Cost of Attendance is often referred to as a "budget", which your financial aid grants, scholarships, and loan offers cannot exceed.
Cost Categories
- Tuition and Fees: The average cost of tuition and fees for an undergraduate student based on full-time enrollment. To view the Alamo Tuition and Fees page, click here.
- Housing and Food: A reasonable estimate of what it would cost to live in San Antonio while attending school. Actual costs may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances.
- Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment: The average cost of these materials for a typical student for an entire academic year.
- Transportation: Average transportation expenses are based on an average 30 mile round trip to campus. Actual transportation costs will vary depending on personal proximity to the campus and mode of transportation.
- Personal and Miscellaneous: Average expenses are calculated based on potential expenses that students might incur such as personal computers, personal items, or emergency expenses.
Definitions
- Direct Costs: Costs billed by the Alamo Colleges District via the Business office through your ACES student account. Your tuition and fees are considered a direct cost.
- Indirect Costs: Costs associated with basic living expenses. Your housing, food, transportation, school supplies, personal expenses are considered indirect costs.
- In-District Student: A Texas resident who resides in Bexar County.
- Out-of-District Student: A Texas resident who does not reside in Bexar County.
- Out-of-State student: A U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident who has not lived in Texas for the past 12 months
Estimated Cost of Attendance For 2024-2025
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home* |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees ** | $3,412 | $3,412 |
| Housing and Food | $7,126 | $14,250 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,903 | $2,903 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,801 | $2,801 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $16,742 | $23,866 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs**: | $3,412 | $3,412 |
*All student's residence assignments are automated from their FAFSA or TASFA. . Should your actual residence plans differ from our automated assignment, please contact our office to complete a Confirmation of Housing Status Form.
**Based on a student taking 15 hours Fall 2024 and 15 hours Spring 2025.
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home* |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees ** | $5,542 | $5,542 |
| Housing and Food | $7,126 | $14,250 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,903 | $2,903 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,801 | $2,801 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $18,872 | $25,996 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs**: | $5,542 | $5,542 |
*All student's residence assignments are automated from their FAFSA or TASFA. . Should your actual residence plans differ from our automated assignment, please contact our office to complete a Confirmation of Housing Status Form.
**Based on a student taking 15 hours Fall 2024 and 15 hours Spring 2025.
Cost Categories |
Residing with Parents at Home* |
Residing without Parents off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees ** | $9,952 | $9,952 |
| Housing and Food | $7,126 | $14,250 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,903 | $2,903 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,801 | $2,801 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $23,282 | $30,406 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs**: | $9,952 | $9,952 |
*All student's residence assignments are automated from their FAFSA or TASFA. . Should your actual residence plans differ from our automated assignment, please contact our office to complete a Confirmation of Housing Status Form.
**Based on a student taking 15 hours Fall 2024 and 15 hours Spring 2025.
Adjusting Your Cost of Attendance
The Student Financial Aid office understands that there may be personal, unexpected expenses, and education costs that are not accounted for in the published Cost of Attendance.
Students may submit what is known as a special circumstance request by completing the Cost of Attendance Adjustment Form, in order for our office to make a determination on if changes are possible. The form may be requested by contacting the Student Financial Aid office.
Cost of Attendance adjustments we evaluate:
- Educational expenses above the estimated COA
- Housing and food expenses above the estimated COA
- Transportation expenses above estimated COA (uninsured repairs or round-trip mileage over 150 miles/week)
- Computer purchase expense (considered only once as an Alamo student)
- Unusual medical, dental, vision expenses during the current academic year
- Childcare or private school expenses for dependents during the current academic year
- Professional license/credential certification costs
- Dependent student is residing without parents, off-campus or outside of the home
Past Years Cost of Attendance
Cost Categories |
Dependent - Living with Parents |
Independent - Living Off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees * | $3,412 | $3,412 |
| Housing and Food | $5,756 | $11,512 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,732 | $2,732 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,428 | $2,428 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $14,828 | $20,584 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs*: | $3,412 | $3,412 |
*Based on a student taking 15 hours Fall 2023 and 15 hours Spring 2024.
Cost Categories |
Dependent - Living with Parents |
Independent - Living Off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees * | $6,892 | $6,892 |
| Housing and Food | $5,756 | $11,512 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,732 | $2,732 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,428 | $2,428 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $18,308 | $24,064 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs*: | $6,892 | $6,892 |
*Based on a student taking 15 hours Fall 2023 and 15 hours Spring 2024.
Cost Categories |
Dependent - Living with Parents |
Independent - Living Off Campus |
| Tuition and Fees * | $14,422 | $14,422 |
| Housing and Food | $5,756 | $11,512 |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment * |
$500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,732 | $2,732 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $2,428 | $2,428 |
| Total Estimated Costs: | $25,838 | $31,594 |
| Total Estimated Direct Costs*: | $14,422 | $14,422 |
*Based on a student taking 15 hours Fall 2023 and 15 hours Spring 2024.