Your award letter shows an Estimated Direct Cost and mentions a range of indirect costs. They mean different things, and knowing the difference will help you plan what you will actually pay.

Direct costs: what you are billed

Direct costs are the charges LeTourneau places on your student account each semester. These are real, fixed amounts, and they are what your scholarships, grants and loans are applied against. The Estimated Net Cost on your award letter is your direct cost minus your financial aid.

Example:

Direct cost	Per semester	Per year
Tuition	$20,030	$40,060
General Fee	$255	$510
Living Expenses (on-campus housing and meals)	$6,230	$12,460
Technology Fee	$120	$240
Recreation Fee	$60	$120
Laundry Fee	$25	$50
Total direct cost	$26,720	$53,440
Engineering or Nursing Program Fee (if applicable)	$1,400	$2,800
Total with program fee	$28,120	$56,240

 

Indirect costs: what you might spend

Indirect costs are expenses you may have while you are in college that LeTourneau does not bill you for. You pay them yourself, as you go, and how much you spend is largely up to you. They include:

• Books and supplies (textbooks, a calculator, lab or course materials)
• Transportation (gas, trips home, airfare)
• Personal expenses (phone, toiletries, clothing, eating out, entertainment)
• Loan fees (a small origination fee deducted from federal student loans, if you borrow)

For 2027–2028, we estimate indirect costs at between $1,500 and $7,654 for the year, depending on your circumstances, such as how far you live from campus and whether you bring a car.

Example:

Indirect cost (estimated)	Per semester	Per year
Materials & Supplies	$1,566	$3,132
Transportation	$747	$1,494
Misc. Personal Expenses	$1,054	$2,108
Loan Fees (if you borrow)	$460	$920
Total indirect cost	$3,827	$7,654

 

Why we estimate them & Cost of Attendance

Federal rules require every college to publish a full Cost of Attendance, which includes both direct costs and an allowance for indirect costs. That total is used in financial aid calculations: it helps determine how much aid you are eligible for, and the total aid you receive cannot exceed it. Including indirect costs makes sure you are not limited to aid that covers only your bill.

For a more detail understanding of Cost of Attendance, please visit this site: letu.edu/coa

 

Most students spend less

Indirect costs are estimates, not charges. The figures are set generously so that students with higher expenses are covered, and most students spend less than the full amount. You will never receive a bill for them.

A few simple ways to keep them low:

• Rent textbooks or buy used or digital copies.
• Plan trips home ahead of time and share rides when you can.
• Set a monthly budget for personal spending.
• Consider an on-campus job, including Federal Work-Study if you were offered it and positions are available.

 

The bottom line Plan for the Estimated Net Cost on your award letter, which is your direct cost minus your financial aid. Treat indirect costs as a budgeting guide, not a bill.

Questions? Call (903) 233-4350 or email financialaid@letu.edu.