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The cost of attendance (COA) represents a realistic estimate of modest costs associated with attending one of West Virginia University’s campuses. If your actual expenses are greater than those represented in the standard cost of attendance, you can submit a Budget Review Form.
If approved, you may have additional loan and/or outside scholarship eligibility, but you will not, in most situations, receive additional institutional scholarship or grant assistance. Requests for housing, food and personal, and computer costs are generally only approved one time. Students can contact the WVU Hub to discuss their need for a budget appeal. Please note that cost of attendance is calculated for an academic year (9 months) not for a full calendar year (12 months).
The following items may be considered for appeal:
If you are eligible for a budget appeal, a WVU Hub staff member will add a Budget Review Form to the student's StudentForms account. Students can complete and submit their budget appeal request by following the steps listed below.
The dates below reflect when the WVU Hub will be begin accepting budget appeals for each semester.
If one of these days fall on a weekend/non-working day, the budget appeal will be accepted on the next business day.
Generally, budget appeals are not accepted after the last day of classes before finals week begins.
Limited to a one-time increase for the purchase of a computer up to $1,500 ( once for undergraduate students and once for a Graduate or Professional student).The following are covered: the cost of the computer, taxes, shipping, and warranty.
Additionally, if a special software is required for a course or program for all students in the course or program, documentation on college letterhead from a college representative is required. The letter must be signed to be considered.
Documentation must include the price and description of the computer, including taxes, shipping, and warranty when applicable. You may submit an invoice for the computer purchase or a detailed printout of the computer you plan to purchase. Requests for a gaming computer will not be accepted.
If you have already utilized your one-time budget review to purchase a computer that has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you may submit a second budget review for a replacement computer. Documentation such as a police report, picture of damage, or signed and dated letter explaining your extenuating circumstance will be required.
If your major requires the purchase of a computer and is already included in the cost of attendance, your request will be denied. Majors include Law, CRNA, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Dental Hygiene, Medicine, Pathology Assistant, Physician’s Assistant, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy.
Modest living expenses for rent/mortgage, utilities, and food for the student will be considered. Acceptable documentation includes:
The budget appeal process will not take into account resources in excess of a typical student living. For example, if a student is the only name on the lease agreement for a two bedroom/two bathroom apartment, we will still only consider an increase for the cost of a one bedroom/one bathroom apartment. If more than one household is being requested for an increase, we will only consider a COA increase for one household.
Modest expenses incurred from food and personal items will be considered for the budget appeal. Personal items include clothing, toiletries, and personal hygiene products.
Acceptable documentation includes:
Alcohol, tobacco, items purchased for animals not medically documented as service or emotional support, and items purchased with SNAP benefits will not be considered.
Cost for required books and supplies may be appealed if it is more than what is allotted in your cost of attendance.
Acceptable documentation includes:
Staff will review the student’s course schedule and determine the required textbooks for the courses on the WVU Barnes and Noble website. Books and supplies must be for degree-pursuant courses.
Transportation includes commuting to and from campus or activities required by the University, travel to and from home for scheduled University breaks, and travel to and from work. Acceptable expenses include gasoline, insurance, car repairs, parking and required travel for major (such as student teaching, clerkships, rotations, etc.). Monthly car payments cannot be included.
Acceptable documentation includes:
If required to travel for your major or for work, documentation of distance traveled and need for the travel must be provided.
For a student with dependents, an allowance for costs expected to be incurred for dependent care can be reviewed. This covers care during periods that include class time, study time, field work, internships, and commuting time for the student. The amount of the allowance should be based on the number and age of such dependents and should not exceed reasonable cost in the community for the type of care provided.
Acceptable documentation includes:
Documentation should include the amount, timeframe, and dates of subsidy for childcare provided from a government or private entity.
WVU may include a cost of obtaining the first professional credential in a field that requires licensure or certification. This cost must be incurred during a period of enrollment even if the exam is scheduled to be taken after the semester has ended.
Acceptable documentation for licensing and certification includes:
The cost of test preparation courses can be included in a student’s cost of attendance if required by a student’s program of study.
Acceptable documentation for test preparation courses includes:
Other educational expenses a student must pay during an academic year can be reviewed for an increase in cost of attendance. Examples of these expenses may include, but are not limited to:
WVU generally does not consider cost of attendance increases for medical and dental expenses as there is already an allowance built into the standard cost. Typically, medical and dental expenses are part of the need-analysis calculation on the FAFSA. In the event a student has an urgent emergency circumstance related to a medical or dental expense, the student should contact the WVU Hub to determine if the costs can be considered and what documentation is required. WVU will not increase the COA for co-pays or any portion of an elective procedure. We will only consider the amount not covered by insurance for a COA increase if the student has insurance. Co-pays will not be considered.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact WVU Hub to have such expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. WVU may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies and may consult with the WVU Accessibility Services and/or other sources to confirm the average cost of such expenses. Documentation of actual expenses are required. For more information on accessibility accommodations, please refer to the WVU Student Accommodations website.
One-time purchase of a required instrument that directly relates to the student’s course of study.
Acceptable documentation includes: