Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total amount it may cost to attend San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) for one academic year. Your COA will vary depending on factors such as your housing situation (living with parents, living off-campus, etc.) and enrollment status.

SBVC’s Financial Aid Office uses the COA, as required by federal regulations, to determine your financial aid eligibility. Your total financial aid award cannot exceed your COA.

The COA represents average costs for a nine-month academic year and includes:

  • Tuition and fees
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment
  • Housing and food (rent and groceries)
  • Transportation
  • Personal and miscellaneous expenses
  • Actual expenses may be higher or lower depending on your circumstances.

View the 2025–2026 Cost of Attendance Budgets (PDF)

How We Calculate Your Financial Aid

When you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), the information you provide is used to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI) — formerly called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The SAI is the amount the federal formula estimates you and/or your family can contribute toward your education.

We use this formula to determine your financial need:

Cost of Attendance – Student Aid Index = Financial Need

Many financial aid programs, especially federal and state grants, are based on financial need.

Example

If your COA is $20,000 and your SAI is $5,000:

$20,000 (COA) – $5,000 (SAI) = $15,000 in financial need

Your total need-based aid (including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans) cannot exceed your calculated financial need.

Estimate Your Aid

Want to see an estimate of your COA, SAI, and potential financial need?

Visit the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get started.

Special Circumstances

We understand that financial situations can change. If you or your family’s income is significantly different from what you reported on your FAFSA or CADAA, you may qualify for a Special Circumstances review.

Contact the SBVC Financial Aid Office for more information.