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

  • 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

2024-2025 In-District Student
 

 

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 $20,584

 

Total Estimated Direct Costs**: $3,412 $3,412

 

*All student's residence assignments are automated from their FAFSA or TASFA. Dependent students are assigned a cost of attendance of 'Residing With Parents at Home'. 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.

2024-2025 Out- of-District Student
 

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. Dependent students are assigned a cost of attendance of 'Residing With Parents at Home'. 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.

2024-2025 Out- of-State Student
 

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. Dependent students are assigned a cost of attendance of 'Residing With Parents at Home'. 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.

Examples of Expenses Considered
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

2023-2024 In-District Student
 

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.

2023-2024 Out-of-District Student
 

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.

2023-2024 Out-of-State Student
 

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.