Cost of Attendance

Usually the cost of attendance (COA) refers to the total amount of education expenses (tuition, books and supplies, housing and dining, personal expenses, transportation expenses, etc.). Learn more.

Parent on FAFSA

Dependent students are instructed to file the FAFSA with his/her legal parents, biological and/or adoptive. Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers or sisters, and aunts and uncles are not a parent on the FAFSA unless they have legally adopted the student. Visit our parent page for additional guidance on who is considered a parent on the FAFSA.

Estimate Your Expenses

For more specific information about the tuition and fees component of the cost of attendance, please see the Cashier’s Office website at http://cashiers.missouri.edu/costs/. Information about current residence hall rates and amenities, including dining plan rates, can be found at http://reslife.missouri.edu/rates-amenities.

Financial planning for college

Hey, parents!

Stay connected with Mizzou through the Office of Parent Relations

Planning for college? Wondering how you'll pay for it? Get facts and tips from government agencies, nonprofit organizations and news media resources.

  • Office for Financial Success
    A service of the Personal Financial Planning Department dedicated to improving the financial well-being of individuals and families by providing affordable, unbiased education and counseling in all areas of personal finance.
  • U.S. News & World Report: Paying for College
    Financial aid news, savings-plan tips, a recession guide and rankings of the best values in education.
  • CNN Money: College
    CNN's wellspring of tips, trends, news and calculators related to funding an education.
  • New York Times: Paying for College
    Commentary, news, charts and blogs from New York Times contributors.
  • College Savings Plans Network
    National Association of State Treasurers-affiliated guide to 529 savings plans.
  • Student Aid on the Web
    Loan information, a FAFSA guide and a glossary of financial-aid terms from Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.
  • MDHE: Planning and Paying for College
    The Missouri Department of Higher Education's guide to loans, grants and scholarships, with information for students, parents, high school counselors and financial aid officers.
  • Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan (MOST)
    A 529 plan is a type of investment account you can use for higher education, named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, which outlines its tax advantages. Earnings grow federally tax-deferred and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.