Cost of Attendance | Ventura College

Cost of Attendance

At Ventura College, we’re committed to helping you understand the true cost of attending college so you can plan with confidence. The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of your total expenses for one academic year. This includes more than just tuition—it also covers housing, food, transportation, supplies, and other personal costs.

Your cost may vary depending on your living situation, course load, and other personal choices.

What’s Included in the Cost of Attendance?

The COA is made up of several key categories:

Tuition and Fees – Charges for your classes and enrollment
Housing and Food – Whether you live at home, in your place, or with others
Books and Supplies – Textbooks, course materials, and equipment
Transportation – Costs to travel to and from campus
Technology – Laptops, phones, and internet access
Medical Expenses – Health insurance and care
Personal Expenses – Clothing, hygiene, laundry, and other essentials
Other Costs – Including specific needs for undocumented students and those with dependents

We also consider additional student support programs like CalFresh (food assistance) and apply Cal Grant Equity Framework standards to ensure our estimates are inclusive and equitable.

How We Estimate the Cost

Ventura College uses a combination of statewide and local data to create an accurate picture of what students typically spend.

1. Statewide Data (SEARS Survey)

We use information from the Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). This survey gathers input from thousands of students across the state and helps estimate:

Housing and food costs
Transportation and medical expenses
Technology needs and personal spending

2. Local Cost Adjustments

To better reflect the reality of our students’ lives, we adjust these estimates using local data from Ventura County. This ensures our budget reflects:

Local rent and housing trends
Transportation options and gas prices
Local prices for groceries, internet, and supplies

How Financial Need is Calculated

When you apply for financial aid, the federal government calculates your Student Aid Index (SAI)—formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This number estimates how much you and your family can contribute toward your college costs.

We determine your financial need using this formula:

Financial Need = Cost of Attendance (COA) – Student Aid Index (SAI)

Based on your financial need, Ventura College may offer a mix of:

Grants (federal, state, or college-based)
Scholarships
Work-study opportunities
Federal student loans

Please note: Due to limited funding, not all students may receive aid that covers their full financial need.

Other Considerations

When reviewing your eligibility, we also consider any outside resources you may receive—like scholarships, tuition assistance, or other financial aid—which can impact the total amount of aid you're eligible for.

Need Help or Have Questions?

Our Financial Aid Office is here to support you every step of the way. For details on financial aid programs, deadlines, and how to apply:

👉 Visit the Financial Aid Office
👉 Federal Student Aid Website

Enrollment Fees

Ventura College Fees for California Residents

If you are a California resident planning to attend Ventura College, here are the standard fees you need to know:

Enrollment Fee

$46.00 per unit
- Example: A 3-unit class would cost $138.00 (3 × $46.00)

Health Fee

For the 2024–2025 Academic Year:
- $26.00 per semester (Fall and Spring)
- $22.00 for the Summer session
For the 2025–2026 Academic Year:
- $27.00 per semester (Fall and Spring)
- $22.00 for the Summer session

This fee supports health services provided on campus, including mental health and basic medical care.

Student Representation Fee

$2.00 per semester
- Supports student government and representation at local and state levels.

Student Center Fee

$1.00 per unit, up to a maximum of $10.00 per academic year
- Helps fund and maintain student centers and shared student spaces on campus.

Important Information

The Enrollment Fee is set by the State of California and may change at any time, even after you enroll.
All other fees are determined by the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees and are also subject to change.
Some specialized programs may include additional fees. Please check with your department for program-specific costs.

Ventura College Fees for Non-California Residents

If you are not a California resident and plan to attend Ventura College, here are the fees you should expect:

Enrollment Fee

$46.00 per unit
- This is the standard in-state fee that all students, including out-of-state students, are required to pay.

Non-Resident Tuition

$397.00 per unit
- This is in addition to the in-state enrollment fee.

Non-California Resident Capital Outlay Fee

$15.00 per unit

Health Fee

For the 2024–2025 Academic Year:
- $26.00 per semester (Fall and Spring)
- $22.00 for the Summer session
For the 2025–2026 Academic Year:
- $27.00 per semester (Fall and Spring)
- $22.00 for the Summer session

This fee helps support on-campus health services, including physical and mental health care.

Student Representation Fee

$2.00 per semester
- Supports student government and student representation efforts at local and state levels.

Student Center Fee

$1.00 per unit, up to a maximum of $10.00 per academic year
- This fee helps fund and maintain student centers and student activity spaces.

Important Information

The Enrollment Fee is set by the State of California and may change at any time, even after enrollment.
All other fees are determined by the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees and may also change.
Specialized academic programs may include additional fees. Please contact the college for more information.

Need Help? Contact the Student Business Office

Phone: (805) 289-6488
Website: Ventura College Student Business Office

College Budgets and Other Expenses

2024–2025 School Year (9 Months) – California Residents

Expense	Living With Parents	Living On Your Own
Food and Housing	$11,493	$22,086
Personal Expenses (clothing, hygiene, etc.)	$4,059	$4,968
Tuition and Fees (14 units per semester)	$1,354	$1,354
Books, Supplies, Equipment	$1,062	$1,062
Transportation	$1,791	$1,962
Total Estimated Cost	$19,759	$31,432

2025–2026 School Year (9 Months) – California Residents

Expense	Living With Parents	Living On Your Own
Food and Housing	$12,770	$32,174
Personal Expenses (clothing, hygiene, etc.)	$4,140	$5,067
Tuition and Fees (14 units per semester)*	$1,356	$1,356
Books, Supplies, Equipment	$1,089	$1,089
Transportation	$2,094	$2,291
Total Estimated Cost	$21,449	$41,977

* If you're in a Bachelor's Degree program, you will pay about $2,352 more per semester for upper-division classes (based on 14 units per semester).

2024-2025 Student College Budget (9 Months) for Non-California Residents

Budgeted expenses are estimated to calculate financial aid. Actual costs may vary by individual.

Budget Components	With Parents, Without Dependents	All Others
Food and Housing	$11,493	$22,086
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,059	$4,968
Tuition and Fees (Based on 14 units per semester)	$1,354	$1,354
Non-Resident and Capital Outlay Fees (Based on 14 units per semester)	$11,536	$11,536
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$1,062	$1,062
Transportation	$1,791	$1,962
Total Estimated Cost	$31,295	$42,968

2025-2026 Student College Budget (9 Months) for Non-California Residents

Budget Components	With Parents, Without Dependents	All Others
Food and Housing	$12,770	$32,174
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses	$4,140	$5,067
Tuition and Fees (Based on 14 units per semester)*	$1,356	$1,356
Non-Resident and Capital Outlay Fees (Full-Time)	$11,536	$11,536
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment	$1,089	$1,089
Transportation	$2,094	$2,291
Total Estimated Cost	$32,985	$53,513

Important Information:

Bachelor’s Degree Program Fees: If you are enrolled in a Bachelor's Degree program, you will incur an additional cost of $2,352 per semester for Upper-Division Units, based on 14 units per semester.

For more detailed information on Cost of Attendance for non-California residents, please click here.

Cost of Attendance Adjustments

Some expenses may qualify for an adjustment to your Cost of Attendance (COA). If you have extra costs related to your education, you can submit a Budget Adjustment Form to the Financial Aid Office for review. You must include proof of expenses, and all requests must follow federal and California financial aid rules.

Types of Cost Adjustments

1. Child Care & Dependent Care

If you pay for child care or care for a dependent so you can attend classes, you may qualify for an adjustment. To be eligible:

The dependent must live with you.
The care must be necessary for you to attend school.
If your child is in school during your class hours, you won’t qualify for an adjustment.
If your spouse or someone in your home can provide care, you won’t qualify.
You must submit receipts or proof of payments.

2. Disability-Related Expenses

If you have a documented disability, you may request an adjustment for education-related expenses not covered by other programs. These may include:

Tutoring, interpreters, or note-taking services.
Transportation costs related to your disability.
Assistive equipment and supplies for your studies.

To qualify, you must provide receipts or official documents explaining the costs.

3. Computer Purchase

You may request a one-time adjustment for a computer needed for school. Your request must include:

A receipt or invoice showing the purchase.
A statement explaining why you need the computer (e.g., online classes).

The Financial Aid Office will review your request, and it must follow federal regulations.

4. Books, Course Materials, & Supplies

The standard Cost of Attendance includes an estimate for books and supplies, but actual costs may be higher. If you spend more than the estimated amount, you can request an adjustment by submitting:

A written explanation of the extra expenses.
Receipts showing your book and supply purchases.

Requests will be reviewed individually, and only reasonable extra costs will be approved.

5. Other Educational Expenses

You may request adjustments for other necessary school-related expenses, such as:

Licensing or certification fees required for your program.
Extra transportation costs (e.g., travel for clinicals or internships).
Other unusual education-related costs.

How to Request an Adjustment

All requests must be submitted in writing with proof of expenses.
Federal and California state rules limit what can be adjusted, so not all requests will be approved.
A Cost of Attendance adjustment does not guarantee more financial aid, but it may increase your eligibility for additional aid if funds are available.

If you have questions, contact the Financial Aid Office for help.

What’s Included in the Cost of Attendance?

How We Estimate the Cost

1. Statewide Data (SEARS Survey)

2. Local Cost Adjustments

How Financial Need is Calculated

Other Considerations

Need Help or Have Questions?

Enrollment Fees

Fees for California Resident

Fees for Non-California Resident

College Budgets and Other Expenses

Student College Budget for California Resident

Student College Budget for Non-California Resident

Other Expenses/Adjustments

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