Dec 21, 2024  
National University Volume 87A-2 - December 2024 
    
National University Volume 87A-2 - December 2024

How Budgets Are Derived and Updated


The University reviews student budgets each year to determine current and reasonable expenses to attend the University. The University has chosen to use CollegeBoard guidelines, based on data from the most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and the Indexes of Comparative Costs, both produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because a standardized budget is used, students are not asked to provide receipts to prove expenses. The budget will not be increased unless unusual or exceptional circumstances exist and are approved through a Professional Judgment decision.

A student budget consists of anticipated charges. These charges include average tuition and fees based on degree level, average books and supplies, and an estimated amount for indirect costs. Indirect costs include items such as room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses. The institution uses a standardized amount for indirect costs to determine financial aid eligibility.

There are times when students have additional educational expenses based on program requirements. The University will consider adjustments to cost of attendance in these situations, if requested by a student, on a case-by-case basis.

Costs in the budget include:

  • Tuition and fees: The average tuition amount for the loan period is based upon degree level, mandatory fees including a one-time learning management fee, and estimated loan fees
  • Books, supplies, transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses; these expenses are based on estimates from CollegeBoard
  • Room and board: The standardized amount is based upon the student attending a distance education University; it includes the estimated cost for such things as rent, utilities and food

2024-2025 Cost of Attendance

Cost of attendance is a figure used by the Financial Aid Office to help determine your financial aid eligibility. The cost of attendance is an estimated figure that captures direct and indirect expenses you may incur while in school. 

One to One Model (Formerly NCU) for Non-Term Programs

Degree Level Undergraduate Master’s/Post-Baccalaureate Doctoral/Post-Master’s
Tuition Average: $11,064 $14,982 $19,650
Learning Management Fee (Charged once per program): $450 $450 $450
Books, Course Materials, and Equipment: $936 $702 $702
Dependent & Independent Off-Campus Housing & Utilities:*  $19,216 $19,216 $19,216
Food** (without meal plan): $11,146 $11,146 $11,146
Transportation: $3,965 $3,965 $3,965
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $4,327 $4,327 $4,327
Loan Fees: $132 $217 $217
Total Cost of Attendance: $51,236 $55,055 $59,673

*On-Campus Housing & Utilities is not offered by National University
**Meal Plans for food are not offered by National University

One to One Model (Formerly NCU) for Term Programs

Degree Level Juris Doctorate: Fall-Spring
Tuition Average: $12,240
Learning Management Fee (Charged once per program): $450
Books, Course Materials, and Equipment: $1,782
Dependent & Independent Off-Campus Housing & Utilities:*  $19,216
Food** (without meal plan): $11,146
Transportation: $3,965
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $4,327
Loan Fees: $217
Total Cost of Attendance: $53,522

*On-Campus Housing & Utilities is not offered by National University
**Meal Plans for food are not offered by National University

Budget Restrictions


Certain student categories are restricted with regard to allowable budget components:

Student Category Restriction(s)
Correspondence students N/A - The University is an online education institution and does not offer correspondence courses
Incarcerated students
  • Are limited in COA determination to tuition and fees, required books, and supplies
  • Are ineligible for Federal Student Aid (FSA) loans
  • If in a federal or state penal institution are ineligible for Pell grants
  • Students exiting incarceration, will have eligibility limitations related to their incarceration removed. 
Less-than-half-time students N/A - All students at the University are considered full-time.
Active Military Students and Students Receiving Military Tuition Assistance Active Military students and students receiving military tuition assistance may have reduced budgets to allow for BAH payments and reduced tuition, when applicable.
Employee Voucher Employees with approved vouchers are charged for tuition - therefore the student’s budget may be adjusted to ensure the student does not exceed COA.
Students using Title IV funding concurrently at another institution. The University will only award direct cost to student using Title IV funding at another institution.

Budget Appeals

A written appeal can be submitted to the Student Financial Services Team if the student believes they have unusual expenses not reflected in the standard budget. The appeal letter must include a description of the unusual circumstances and in some cases, additional documentation may be required. The Student Financial Services Team will notify the student of the decision.