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HB 793

Regards cost of attendance at institutions of higher education

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Jim Thomas

HB 793 modifies how Ohio colleges calculate cost of attendance, affecting student loan eligibility and financial aid packages for higher education students.

Referred to committee
#education #highereducation
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Bill Summary · HB 793

Legislative bill overview

HB 793 addresses the methodology and components used to calculate the "cost of attendance" (COA) at Ohio higher education institutions. This figure is crucial because it determines how much students can borrow in federal loans and affects financial aid packages. The bill appears to modify which expenses institutions must include or how they calculate these costs.

Why is this important

Cost of attendance calculations directly impact student borrowing capacity and debt levels. When COA is set higher, students can access more loan funds; when set lower, it limits borrowing. This affects affordability, student debt burdens, and institutional revenue from student aid packages, making it significant for both students and colleges.

Potential points of contention

  • Institutional autonomy vs. standardization: Whether the state should mandate specific COA calculation methods or allow institutions flexibility based on their circumstances
  • Student access vs. debt concerns: Stricter cost calculations may reduce borrowing but could also limit access for low-income students who depend on maximum aid eligibility
  • Definition disputes: Disagreement over which expenses legitimately constitute "cost of attendance" (living expenses, fees, books, technology, etc.) and whether optional costs should be included

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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