COST OF ATTENDANCE | FINANCIAL AID

The “Cost of Attendance” (COA) provides students with a breakdown of the estimated expenses that they may incur while attending LSU Health Shreveport. Click to view COA information at a glance.

► Cost of Attendance Explained

Tuition and Fees

The COA may include tuition and fees normally assessed all students carrying the same academic workload as determined by the institution.  Tuition charges are allowed in a COA if the coursework is credited toward the student’s degree or educational program.  Student budgets and financial aid awards may be adjusted if a change occurs in the amount of tuition and fees charged to a student after an award has been made and/or disbursed. In order to be included in the COA, fees must be required for the student’s course of study or be mandatory of all students as an enrollment requirement. More information about tuition and fees can be found on the Bursar's webpage.

Books, Educational Supplies, and Diagnostic Equipment

An allowance for books and supplies in the COA provides for the average cost of educational materials related to the student’s course of study.  An average allowance for diagnostic equipment is allowed for those programs which require the equipment.  The diagnostic equipment allowance is automatically added to the student’s COA for the relevant curriculum year.

Room and Board (Living Allowance)

The Living Allowance component of the COA is constructed based on reasonable average expenses for a single student’s housing and meals. It is also based on the actual months of enrollment and cannot cover months of non-enrollment, such as the time period between academic years.  The Living Allowance is adjusted for students living at home with parents.  Allowances for spouses or dependents of independent students are not included in the student’s COA. 

Educational Student Loan Fee

Title IV regulations provides for the inclusion of loan fees paid to the Lender upon disbursement of an educational loan.  The fee used in the COA is an average based on the total educational loan fees paid by students during the most recent award year.   

Residency Interviews

Fourth-year medical students can request a Cost of Attendance (budget) adjustment to allow for cost related to residency interviews. Students can request a budget adjustment for residency interview expenses by submitting the approved forms for the award year.  Contact the Student Financial Aid Office for forms.

Medical Insurance

Medical Insurance is required for all LSU Health Shreveport students.  Therefore, the cost is an allowable expense and can be added to the COA with proper documentation.  The Medical Insurance allowance cannot include the premiums for dependents or spouses. Contact the Student Financial Aid Office for the required form.

Computer Purchase

The COA may include the reasonable cost for the documented rental or purchase of a personal computer for students enrolled at least half-time.  The computer does not have to be required by the student’s program of study.  This expense is allowed only once during the student’s enrollment at LSU Health Shreveport, even if the student has sat out of the curriculum for an extended period of time or must repeat one or more years of the curriculum.

• Allied Health Profession and Graduate Studies students must formally request a COA increase for the purchase of a computer before the allowance can be included.  Students can request assistance for a computer purchase by completing the Computer Purchase Form.
• The School of Medicine requires all 1st year students to purchase a laptop computer through LSU Health Shreveport.  As a result, the computer cost is automatically added to the COA for medical students.  However, the computer allowance will be removed from the COA if a medical student receives an approved computer purchase waiver from the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.  Medical students can request reimbursement for the purchase of a computer bought outside the institution.  The purchase must have occurred after acceptance into the School of Medicine.   

Dependent Child Care

The dependent childcare allowance is based on the estimated expenses incurred for child care. Childcare does not cover periods of non-enrollment.  In order to include the allowance, the student must document: 1) proof of a legal dependent that is included in the student’s household, 2) care is required in order for the student to attend school, and 3) the student incurred or will incur child care expenses.  After-school childcare is allowed for children less than age 12. All-day childcare is allowed for non-school age children.  Students requesting an allowance for dependent childcare should contact the student financial aid office the required forms.

Licensure Exams

Some academic programs require that students take a licensing exam prior to the completion of their academic program.  The cost of those exams are automatically added to the students’ COA for the relevant curriculum year.  This cost is allowed once during the student’s enrollment, per federal regulations.

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