Living Expense Budget Adjustments

Housing – (living with one roommate): $2,000
Food: $562
Personal – (clothing, toiletries, entertainment, etc.): $452
Transportation: $90

Total: $3,104

Please note that the COA is based on your official start date (first day of classes) — relocation costs as well as costs incurred during Orientation cannot be included. If you are in a multi-year master’s program, the summer months will not be included unless you are enrolled in at least 7.5 credits.

You can lower your monthly rent by living with more roommates, but most students report spending over $1000 in this category (even with multiple roommates). Students should note that living in Harvard Housing or Shattuck may cost more than the budgeted amount. The Office of Financial Aid can adjust a student’s budget in some cases (see: Budget Adjustments), but this is not always possible.

The food budget is based on the assumption that you will cook most of your meals and pack your lunch most days.

The transportation budget is not taking in to account the student discount program the Office for Student Affairs offers with the MBTA. If you take advantage of this program, you will pay closer to $45/month.

In addition to monthly expenses, the Cost of Attendance also provides an estimation of Books, Supplies, Course Materials and Equipment. Although there are some opportunities for students to find lower cost or free textbooks, there are many courses that charge mandatory course material fees due to copyrighted material used in the course. You can find an estimate for each course in the course catalog before you enroll. Additionally, cross-registering at different Harvard schools may come with additional fees.

The COA estimate is $700 per semester enrolled for all Books, Supplies, Course Materials and Equipment (inclusive of course material fees and costs associated with cross-registration).

• With supporting documentation, individual adjustments to the Cost of Attendance may be made for the following:
  • Housing higher than allowed
  • Dependent care allowance
  • Medical/Dental expenses not covered by insurance
  • The cost of one round-trip coach ticket to/from student’s home
  • School-related trips
  • Purchase or rental of a personal computer (up to $2,000)

For housing adjustments, the student must be able to provide a documented reason for the higher cost. We do not approve adjustments if a student took on a higher cost apartment because they prefer to live alone.

Students seeking an individual adjustment to their expense budget should complete the Budget Adjustment Form. Budget adjustments can be reviewed anytime during the academic year, but generally no later than the end of April.

Harvard Chan School resources are limited, and budget adjustments most often only allow students to increase their borrowing eligibility. However, should your specific situation be an emergency, we would encourage you to make an appointment to meet with one of our staff members.

• Federal regulation determines what is considered an educational expense. Below are some examples of expenses that we are unable to consider:
  • Expenses during periods of non-enrollment (often summer months of June, July and August)
  • Prior and/or future year balances due (only current educational expenses considered)
  • Prior credit card debt
  • Relocation costs such as moving expenses, furniture, and purchase of winter clothing
  • Costs associated with purchase, parking and maintenance of cars
  • Costs associated with private education of children
  • Costs associated with job interviewing and certification exams
  • Costs associated with visa certification for spouse and/or child/children