Cost Of Attendance
Student Budget
The cost of attendance (COA)—sometimes referred to as the "student budget"—is an estimate of what it costs to attend a college or university for one academic year. The COA includes books and tuition, as well as basic living expenses such as food and housing. A student's actual expenses may be different than what's estimated.
The COA and a student's Student Aid Index (SAI), calculated by their financial aid application, determines their financial need and the maximum amount of financial aid they can receive each year. Many students receive less financial aid than their total need. Students can use this "unmet need" when comparing the out of pocket cost of attending different colleges.
All students are assigned a standard budget based on the reported housing status. The standard budgets for State Center Community College district are below.
| 2025 - 2026 Student Budget | At Home | Away | Less Than Half Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition/Fees | $1,332* | $1,332* | $1,332* |
| Books/Supplies | $1,980** | $1,980** | $1,980** |
| Housing & Food | $9,540 | $19,044 | N/A |
| Transportation | $4,158 | $4,158 | $4,158 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous | $3,510 | $3,510 | NA |
| Total Standard Student Budget Allowance | $20,520 | $30,024 | $7,470 |
| 2024 - 2025 Student Budget | At Home | Away | Less Than Half Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition/Fees | $1,332* | $1,332* | $1,332* |
| Books/Supplies | $1,980** | $1,980** | $1,980** |
| Housing & Food | $8,982 | $17,982 | NA |
| Transportation | $4,086 | $4,086 | $4,086 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous | $3,420 | $3,420 | NA |
| Total Standard Student Budget Allowance | $19,800 | $28,800 | $7,398 |
*District Resident Tuition: $46 per unit, $21 Health Fee, $2 Student Rep Fee
Non-Resident Tuition: $290 per unit Fall 2023-Summer 2024 and $312 per unit for Fall 2024-Summer 2025(Fees subject to change)
**Please come prepared with $300-$400 at the beginning of each semester to purchase books, supplies and other required instructional materials.
