Financial Aid: Budgets

Listed below are the cost of attendance budgets for the 2009-2010 academic year.

All allowances for expenses are established based on the cost of living in the Chicago and Phoenix metropolitan areas and are designed to provide a modest standard of living for one person. Because the calculation of the expected family contribution takes into consideration the size of the family, the cost of attendance is not normally adjusted to support children and cannot be adjusted to provide for the spouse.

In exceptional circumstances, you may apply to receive additional funds for child day-care costs, for costs associated with a disability, or for certain other expenses. To apply for these additional funds, you may appeal and should request a Budget Appeal Application from the Office of Student Financial Services.

Financial aid funds are to be used solely for educational expenses. In no circumstances will non-educational expenses be included in the cost of attendance. These expenses include items such as car payments, credit card payments, recreation, higher than normal rent/mortgage, spousal insurance, internship interview expenses, moving expenses, and security deposits.

Take care to establish your personal budget within the standard allowance limits.