Cost of Attendance

  

Affordability

Understand the cost of attending NJIT is important. As mandated by federal regulations, the Cost of Attendance (also known as COA) is the average cost to attend for one academic year. The University provides the individualized cost of attendance which includes estimates of tuition and fees, allowances for books and supplies, housing and food, transportation, loan fees, personal expenses, and dependent care (if applicable). Such figures are based on major, first-time enrolled status, and expected enrollment. The COA is used in calculating financial aid eligibility and assessing unmet need. The COA can be used by students and their families to plan their finances for NJIT. Your total financial aid package can never exceed the university’s cost of attendance. The awards that make the package may grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, and scholarships from private entities.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

Cost of Attendance components are Tuition & Fees, Housing & Food, Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment, transportation, personal expenses, federal loan fees, and professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential cost. Below we provide the updated definitions of commonly used COA terms based on the statutory changes in section 472 of the HEA, incorporating the changes for the 2023-24 award year and beyond:


Tuition and fees—An amount normally assessed a student carrying the same academic workload, as determined by the institution.

Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment—An allowance for books, course materials, and equipment, which must include all such costs required of all students in the same course of study, including a reasonable allowance for the rental or upfront purchase of a personal computer, as determined by the institution.

Federal student loan fees—An allowance for the cost of any Federal student loan fee, origination fee, or insurance premium charged to the student or the parent of the student. 

Transportation—An allowance, as determined by the institution, which may include transportation between campus, residences, and place of work.

Miscellaneous personal expenses—An allowance, as determined by the institution, for a student attending the institution on at least a half-time basis.

Living expenses—An allowance for food and housing costs, as determined by the institution, to be incurred by the student attending the institution on at least a half-time basis, including—

  • A standard food allowance that provides the equivalent of three meals each day, regardless of whether a student chooses institutionally owned or operated food services (i.e., board or meal plans). Institutions must provide an allowance for purchasing food off campus for a student that does not elect institutionally owned or operated food services.
  • Housing allowances for students residing in institutionally owned or operated housing with or without dependents must be based on the average or median amount assessed to such residents for housing charges, whichever is greater.
  • Housing allowances for students living off campus must include rent or other housing costs.
  • For dependent students living at home with parents, institutions must include a reasonable standard allowance for living expenses that is not zero.

In accordance with federal regulations: for students attending less than half-time, the Total Cost of Attendance is reduced to include only tuition and fees; an allowance for books, supplies, and transportation; and dependent care expenses.

In certain situations, your Cost of Attendance may be increased to reflect these allowable expenses. If your situation includes these expenses, please contact our office.

Study abroad expenses—An allowance for reasonable costs, as determined by the institution, for a student in a study abroad program approved for credit by the home institution.

Cooperative education costs—An allowance for reasonable costs, as determined by the institution, associated with such employment for a student engaged in a work experience under a cooperative education program.

Dependent care —An allowance based on the estimated actual expenses incurred for dependent care, based on the number and age of such dependents. 

Disability-related expenses—An allowance, as determined by the institution, for expenses associated with a student’s disability, including special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred and not provided for by other agencies.

Professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential—An allowance for the costs associated with obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential, for a student in a program that prepares them to enter a profession that requires such a qualification.

Below are the COA’s by student categories:

COA: Direct Costs vs. Indirect Costs

It is sometimes confusing for students and families to understand the difference between direct and indirect costs within the COA. Below are some definitions:

Direct costs: are the charges that appear on the student bill such as tuition and fees and housing and food (for those who sign a contract with the Office of Residence Life) and books if using award credit at the bookstore.

Indirect Costs(books, travel, and miscellaneous a contract with the Office of Residence Life at http://www.njit.edu/reslife/ . The estimated housing and food that are part of the COA for a student living on-campus represents the most commonly selected housing and food plan, which is a double-room, and Meal Plan A.

Living Off-Campus

These are costs that are not to be confused with your student bill charges as they are estimates of what your entire educational expense and the cost to live for one academic year, and can be used for planning purposes. Such indirect costs are part of the COA because you may need to buy new software, computer, etc. that may qualify for miscellaneous charges. Indirect charges help assess your financial need, and it sets a limit on the total aid that you may receive.

If your aid covers your entire bill and you still have an excess credit remaining you will be notified by the office so that you may purchase your books at the University Bookstore if desired. Any excess credit not used at the bookstore will be issued in a “refund check” as applicable to the type of award. Refund checks are generally distributed within two weeks after disbursement. The first disbursement is generally 14 days into the semester (if a student awards are ready to transfer).

Living On-Campus

Students who choose to live on-campus must sign

Students living off-campus who have indicated on their FAFSA about the off-campus living status will be assessed an estimated housing and food value as an indirect cost (does not appear on the bill). The off-campus housing and meal estimate utilize an estimated figure from the College Board’s Cost of Living Budgets for the NY/Northeastern NJ area. For dependent students are select “living off-campus” as their FAFSA housing status, it is NJIT’s University policy to assess their estimated housing and food indirect COA costs as “living with parent.” We may consider updating the housing status for dependent students who can show an off-campus lease effective during the relevant award period.

Living at Home

Student living with their parents as reported on their FAFSA housing status question will be assessed the estimated housing and food value as an indirect cost (does not appear on the bill). The off-campus housing and meal estimate utilize an estimated figure from the College Board’s Cost of Living Budgets for the NY/Northeastern NJ area. If students change their housing status, they are required to update their FAFSA and inform the Office of Student Financial Aid Services.

Loan Fees

Since federal loans are assessed a loan fee at the time the loan is processed, the amount for a loan fee will be added to the COA if students accept their federal loans. The amount is based on an average of prior year awards.

Financial Literacy and Planning Resources: