Cost of Attendance at SJSU?

I'm interested in SJSU, but I'm a bit confused about the whole 'Cost of Attendance' thing. Does it include stuff like meal plans and dorming or is it just tuition?

The 'Cost of Attendance' (COA) at colleges, including San Jose State University (SJSU), generally includes more than just tuition. It's a comprehensive estimate meant to give you an idea of the total cost one might expect to incur during an academic year at the university.

Conventionally, COA includes:

1. Tuition and Fees: These are the basic charges for instruction and ongoing university activities.

2. Room and Board: This represents the cost of living in a university dormitory or off-campus housing and a meal plan for dining on campus.

3. Books and Supplies: Estimated cost for textbooks and other course-related materials.

4. Personal Expenses: This includes costs such as laundry, cell phone bill, personal hygiene, and other miscellaneous expenses.

5. Transportation: Costs associated with getting to and from campus.

Please note that the actual expenses can vary based on several factors including the type of housing you choose, your meal plan, whether you buy new or used textbooks, and how much you personally spend on transportation and personal expenses.

Also, it's important to keep in mind that financial aid and scholarships can significantly offset these costs--and that's determined based on this total estimated cost of attendance. So, it's important to fill out FAFSA and explore other aid resources as well!