Understanding Your Cost of Attendance

At Briar Cliff, we know that paying for college is an important part of your decision. That’s why we work hard to make a BCU education affordable and accessible through scholarships, grants, and financial aid options that help cover your total cost of attendance.

Your cost of attendance (COA)—sometimes called your student budget—is an estimate of what it costs a typical student to attend Briar Cliff University. This number includes more than just tuition. It also takes into account your everyday living expenses.

Every student who applies for financial aid is assigned a cost of attendance. This number is used to:

  1. Give you an estimate of your total cost to attend BCU for one year.
  2. Set a limit on how much financial aid (including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study) you can receive, as required by federal regulations.

Your actual expenses may vary depending on your housing, meal plan, and personal choices. But knowing your COA helps you plan ahead and see the full picture of your financial investment. 

Your cost of attendance includes both direct and indirect costs:

Direct Costs Indirect Costs 
  • Tuition
  • Fees
  • Room
  • Meals
  •  Books
  • Supplies
  • Transportation
  • Personal Needs

Indirect Costs are estimated expenses related to attending college. These are not billed by BCU, but they are included in your financial aid calculation so you can borrow enough to cover your living expenses during the academic year.

Borrowing for indirect costs is completely optional. These costs are included in your COA so you can plan for all aspects of college life and, if needed, borrow additional funds to help cover them. This flexibility allows students to account for living expenses beyond tuition and housing, helping ensure you can focus on your education and live comfortably during the academic year without unexpected financial stress.

Learn More About Indirect Costs

A closer look at each category:

  • Tuition and Fees: The cost for full-time enrollment (12 credit hours or more per semester).
  • Housing and Meals: Based on the average cost of a standard double room and meal plan for three meals per day. This amount will be adjusted at the time of selecting a room and meal plan.
  • Books and Supplies: An estimate for textbooks and materials for the year. These costs vary by program.
  • Transportation: Estimated costs for travel to and from campus or maintaining a vehicle. Unless you purchase a parking permit, these costs are not billed by BCU.
  • Personal Expenses: Everyday items like clothing, toiletries, or entertainment. Actual costs will vary from student to student.
  • Average Loan Fees: If you borrow federal student loans, a small origination fee (around 1%) is deducted before funds are disbursed.

Where do these numbers come from?

Direct costs are set by Briar Cliff University. Indirect costs are based on average student expenses and research on the cost of living in our area. These numbers are updated each year to reflect current market conditions.

Making College Affordable

At Briar Cliff, we believe every student should have access to an excellent, values-based education. Your financial aid offer, made up of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans, is designed to help make that possible.

If your financial aid doesn’t fully meet your needs, our Financial Aid Office can help you explore additional options. The indirect costs in your COA also ensure that if you need to borrow, you can borrow enough to help cover your living expenses while focusing on your studies.

Final tip

When comparing financial aid offers from different schools, look beyond the total cost or amount of aid. Focus on your net cost, what you’ll actually need to pay or borrow after your scholarships and aid are applied.

Your financial aid team at Briar Cliff is here to help you understand your options and make your education both affordable and achievable.