Espola - I'm sure you know this, but just in case. Generally when a student athelete receives their offer they'll have their compensation broken down. Tuition, housing, meals, books, COA, and academic money. Cost of attendance is just one of the components that make up a scholarship. COA is extra money allowed to cover stuff like clothing, toiletries, gas money, whatever incidentals you can think of. Usually it's around 1000-3000 a semester. Maybe more, maybe less. The term COA can also refer to a non-student athlete's full Cost to atttend a particular university, but in recent years it's also referred to as the supplemental scholarship money added by the Power 5 schools
Some schools hand it out. I guess all Power 5s do. You do not have to be on a full ride to get COA money, and the amount can vary from player to player.
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