At HMC, we believe that college choice is more about "fit" than "finances." Finding a school where you belong--where you're challenged and feel a sense of community--is the real bottom line.

Still, we know that cost often affects college choice. That's why we want you to know the total cost of your education at HMC and understand all your financial aid options  for bringing this great opportunity within reach. (After all, 83 percent of our students receive financial aid, and 40 percent qualify for our merit-based awards).

So let's start with your total Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes both the things you usually expect to pay for (tuition, fees, room and board) as well as things you may not immediately think of (books, supplies, personal expenses and a transportation allowance). The COA provides a more accurate and comprehensive picture of what it will cost to attend HMC. It's also the number we use when we determine how much financial aid you need.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, here are the components of a typical COA :