Education costs for attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale are estimated each year. The resulting budgets are used to determine a student's financial need and eligibility for various types of financial aid. The basic budgets for Undergraduate, Graduate, Law, and MEDPREP students are presented here. Budgets for other living circumstances are available from the Financial Aid Office.

Tuition and Fees, On-Campus Room and Board charges and the Campus Housing Activity Fee are considered University Charges (costs paid directly to SIUC). These and certain other incidental charges will appear on a monthly Statement of Account sent to the student from the Bursar's Office.

Books and Supplies and Living Expenses are estimates of what a student might spend for costs that are not paid directly to SIUC, and will not appear on the Statement of Account. Students usually do not spend more than the budgeted amounts shown. SIUC offers an installment plan to assist students and families in managing their educational expenses. A sample chart to guide financial planning is included with each estimated student budget.