Student Finance

Calculating Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the total amount of your educational expenses for the period of enrollment during an Academic Year. Some students may experience costs that are higher or lower than the estimated costs published. The COA is reviewed each year by the Office of Student Finance and is composed of actual and approximate costs that students can expect to incur during their academic year. These costs vary based on the year in school and serve as the cornerstone of financial aid packaging.

Cost of Attendance (COA) component definitions and how they are calculated is outlined below.

Allowable Components

The tuition rate is the same for in-state and out-of-state residents and is subject to change from year to year.

Student fees include a mandatory University Fee, Disability Insurance Fee, and Student Activity fee and are subject to change from year to year.

Costs associated with your individual housing status.

  • On-campus: Room rates and associated fees are determined by Hofstra University for students living in the graduate residence halls.
  • Off-campus: Costs are determined by an average of an individual's responsibility for rent and utilities for a two-bedroom apartment, determined through departmental research.
  • With Parent(s)/Relatives: The amount is determined using market research conducted by nonprofit organizations regarding the cost of housing in the local metro area.

Costs intended to reflect the average cost of three meals each day during the academic year based on the Dining Dollars Option 7 rate.

Includes the estimated cost of print versions of required books, course materials, educational supplies and equipment required by the program for each academic year. 

Estimated costs for clothing, laundry, personal hygiene, entertainment, etc. for the academic year.

Estimated costs for transportation between school, residence, other required educational training sites and place of work including average costs associated with operating and maintaining a vehicle using the Internal Revenue Service's annual standard mileage rate. Operating and maintaining a vehicle includes but not limited to license, insurance, inspection, gas, oil/oil change, bulbs/fuses, wipers, fluids, filters, tire rotation, battery. This allowance may not include costs for leasing or purchasing a vehicle. 

Fees assessed by the U.S. Department of Education for the origination and disbursement of Federal Direct student loans. An average amount is included for each academic year based upon the maximum annual limit for the Direct Unsubsidized loan and average amount borrowed for the Graduate PLUS loan. Non-federal loan fees may not be included in this allowance.

Includes registration fees associated with the required United States Medical Licensing Exams (USMLE).

Additional Allowances

Health Insurance:  All students are required to have health insurance, however, the cost is not included in the standard cost of attendance (COA). Students who purchase an insurance plan either through ZSOM or externally may submit a COA Adjustment Request to include the cost. An increase is allowable for the student only as an educationally related cost. Additional health insurance coverage costs for spouse and/or dependents are not allowable.

Other Allowances

Individual circumstances and emergencies may arise that will cause expenses to fall outside of the standard COA. Students must provide the Office of Student Finance with a COA Budget Adjustment Request.

Examples may include:

  • Medical and dental expenses not covered by health insurance
  • Unexpected auto expenses that arise during the course of study
  • Expenses associated with purchasing a desktop computer or laptop (up to a predetermined amount)
  • Costs associated with caring for a dependent

Cost of Away Rotations and Residency Interviews

COA increase requests for expenses associated with away rotations and residency interviews can be submitted to the Office of Student Finance. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and only students in their final year of study will be considered. Requests must be submitted after the student incurred the expense and must include supporting documentation, such as copy of receipts. Students interested in submitting such a request must contact the Office of Student Finance for further information.