Glossary of Terms

Learn about each Cost of Attendance element.

Tuition and Mandatory Fees

Tuition & mandatory fee amounts normally assessed for a student carrying the same academic workload, as determined by the institution.

See tuition details

See mandatory fee details

Housing

An allowance for housing costs to be incurred by the student attending Cal Lutheran on at least a half-time basis.

See on-campus housing details

On-Campus Housing allowance for institutionally owned or operated housing which is based on the median amount assessed to such residents for on-campus housing charges. Actual charges will vary based on residence hall assignment.

Cal Lutheran has 15 suite-style residence halls, along with three residential Living Learning Communities. The on-campus housing experience includes access to helpful residence life staff, programming, and helpful resources to integrate into our university community. Cal Lutheran also offers on-campus housing for PLTS students.
Cal Lutheran does not provide housing for students with dependents.

See off-campus housing details

Off-campus housing refers to accommodations that are not owned or operated by the university and situated outside of the university's designated residential facilities.

For students living with parents/family, the housing allowance includes reasonable standard allowance for living expenses which includes an allocation for snacks, and meals.
For students living off-campus, not with parent/family, the housing allowance includes estimated rent or other housing costs.
For students living in housing on a military base or for which they receive a basic allowance under section 403(b) of title 37, United States Code, we include a reasonable allowance for food on-campus or off-campus, but cannot include housing costs.

Food Allowance

A standard food allowance which provides the equivelent cost of three meals a day. Actual costs may based on housing assignment, chosen meal plan, or off-campus food purchases for those students who live off-campus.

See meal plan details

Cal Lutheran offers a number of meal plan options available to students living on or off campus.

Meal plans are pre-paid agreements that offer students access to on-campus dining services, providing a structured means to cover daily meals. These plans typically include a set number of meals per week or semester, offering flexibility and convenience in catering to students' dietary needs during their academic stay.
Payment is made directly to Cal Lutheran.

Books and Supplies

An allowance for books, course materials, and equipment, which must include all such costs required of all students in the same course of study, including a reasonable allowance for the rental or upfront purchase of a personal computer.

See details for undergraduate students

See details for graduate and professional students

Transportation

Transportation is factored into the cost of attendance as an allowance to assist students in budgeting for expenses such as commuting between campus, residences, and place of work. Transportation includes costs such as fuel, public transportation fares, and vehicle maintenance.

Miscellaneous Personal Expenses

An allowance for personal expenses for the non-academic costs associated with a student's daily life and well-being. This category includes various discretionary spending such as clothing, personal care items, entertainment, meals not covered by a meal plan, and other expenditures that are not directly tied to tuition, fees, housing, or textbooks.

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Other miscellaneous expenses that may be considered in COA:

Study abroad expenses: Reasonable costs for a student in a study abroad program approved for credit by the home institution. Study abroad program costs are paid to Cal Lutheran. Students may appeal for an increase in COA if travel and personal expenses exceed term allowance.
Cooperative education costs: An allowance for reasonable costs associated with such employment for a student engaged in a work experience under a cooperative education program.
Dependent care: An allowance must not exceed the reasonable cost in the community in which such student resides for the kind of care provided; and the period for which dependent care is required includes, but is not limited to, class-time, study-time, field work, internships, and commuting time. Students may request an increase in COA based on actual costs for dependent care.
Disability-related expenses: An allowance for expenses associated with a student’s disability, including special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred and not provided for by other agencies. Students may request an increase in COA based on actual costs incurred that are not covered by another agency for the period in which they are enrolled.

Federal Student Loan Fees

An allowance for federal student loan origination fees. The Department of Education deducts an origination fee from a student and/or parent's federal student loan at each loan disbursement.

Loan fees are calculated using separate loan fee averages for undergraduate and graduate students.
Loan fees for non-federal loans are excluded from the COA.

Professional Licensure/Certification

An allowance for a student in a field requiring Professional Licensure, Certification, or First Professional Credential.

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The credential/exam cost must be incured while the student is still enrolled even if the credentialing/exam activity occurs after the enrollment period ends.

Credentialing/exam examples may include:

The cost of obtaining the teacher certification required for teaching in the state of California.
Examination fee for taking a certified financial planning exam

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Financial Aid

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finaid@CalLutheran.edu

805-493-3115 (phone)

805-493-3114 (fax)

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Constitution Day

Campus Location

Undergraduate Admission & Fin. Aid

60 W. Olsen Road #1375
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Hours

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sabbath Hour: Thursday, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.