Filling the Gap to Cover "Out-of-Pocket" Costs

Your financial aid may not cover all the expenses that you may incur while attending classes. The following information is designed to assist you in determining the amount of funding you may need to cover these "out of pocket" costs and the available options to cover the expenses or "filling the gap."

As shown on the Budget Worksheet below, your budget is made up of two parts: direct costs that are paid to the University and indirect costs that are not paid directly to the University but you may incur during the enrollment period. Indirect cost items may vary depending on your individual situation.

The following methods are available to "filling the gap" between your college expenses and your financial aid awards:

1. You may pay the balance due in full each term. Payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or major credit card. To make a payment with a credit card, login to the SOLAR System and click on “Account Summary/What Do I Owe?”. Additional billing information is available on the Bursar/Student Accounts website.
2. You may pay the balance due in installments by signing up for the University's Time Option Payment Plan (TOPP).
3. Parents of dependent undergraduate students may borrow a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan by submitting a "Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Request Form" to the financial aid department. Visit the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Information link for further information.
4. Students can apply for a private/alternative loan. For further information, visit the Private/Alternative Loan Information link.       

Budget Worksheet to Calculate the Gap - Estimated Academic Year Costs
	Students Who Live On-Campus	Students Who Commute From Parent's Home	Students Who Live in Off-Campus Housing
Tuition
+ Fees
+ Campus Room		N/A (Does not apply to direct costs)	N/A (Does not apply to direct costs)
+ Campus Meal Plan		N/A (Does not apply to direct costs)	N/A (Does not apply to direct costs)
= Total Direct Costs
Books
+ Transportation
+ Personal Expenses
+ Off-Campus Housing/Meals	N/A for students living on-campus	N/A for students living at home with parent/relative
= Total Indirect Costs
If you wish to only borrow enough funding to cover the actual University bill, use the table below to subtract your financial aid from the total direct cost:
Total Direct Costs
- Financial Aid
= Gap
If you wish to borrow enough funding to cover the actual University bill plus indirect costs, use the table below to subtract your financial aid from the total cost:
Total Direct Costs
+ Total Indirect Costs
= Total Cost
- Financial Aid
= Gap