Cost I

The purpose of the Cost (CST) component is to collect information on student charges for Cost of Attendance estimates and to calculate an Average Net Price (ANP) for first-time, full-time undergraduate students to meet requirements of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended. This component also collects information on tuition and fees for other groups of students. 


Much of the data reported on CST appear on College Navigator, which is updated only one time after CST data have been reviewed by NCES. Therefore, any data reporting errors may stay on College Navigator for a full year.


Additionally, the ANP calculation has important implications for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center lists.

Reporting Documentation

Submission YearReporting CriteriaCommentsType

2024-25

The following changes were made for the 2024-25 collection:

This is a new survey component that will open in the Fall to allow Cost of Attendance (COA) data to be updated on College Navigator. The component will reopen in the Winter to collect selected information on financial aid awards to calculate an institutional Average Net Price (ANP), at which time COA data elements can be updated or corrected. 


Added questions to determine and make publicly available the information on whether postsecondary institutions ask for other financial information not on the FAFSA form and whether they collect asset data even when students qualify for having their assets exempted from the federal need analysis as this information required by the FAFSA Simplification Act.


Change