Visit MCalc, U-M's net price calculator, to get an estimate of how much aid you might expect from the university. (Note: results are not recorded or stored. Available in English and Spanish.)

 Cost of Attendance is the estimated cost of completing a year (two semesters) of full-time attendance at a college or university. This generally includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. The Office of Financial Aid uses these costs to develop standard student budgets for awarding financial aid funds. Estimated budgets for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer terms are published annually in February and March, respectively. (Fall/Winter estimates are updated in June after tuition and fees are set for the coming year by the U-M Board of Regents.)

We encourage all students to apply for aid as early as possible to benefit from available funding. This is especially important for non-resident students because costs are higher and aid is limited. Non-resident students may need additional resources such as private scholarships or loans. Our aid officers are available to help by suggesting resources, explaining aid programs and processes and assisting with budgeting issues.

In addition to the estimated students budgets below, families may also want to visit our Sample Aid Packages page, which offers a look at typical aid packages by income range.

Estimated student budgets reflect typical "modest but adequate" expense patterns of University of Michigan students based on research conducted by the Office of Financial Aid. Enrollment level, number of completed credits, major field of study and room and board options all contribute to the determination of their costs. While actual expenses will depend on your lifestyle and level of enrollment, the estimated costs listed on this page should assist you in planning your own budget.

• ESTIMATED FALL/WINTER 2012-2013 (September - April)

These are estimated tuition and fees, based on 2011-2012 tuition rates as approved by the U-M Board of Regents. New tuition rates are approved annually each June. Cost of Attendance figures will be updated at that time. Tuition and fees may be higher or lower depending on a student's program of study. Current tuition information is available through the Office of the Registrar.

* The distinction between Lower Division and Upper Division is based on the number of credit hours completed (including AP and transfer credits), not on the number of years you have attended.
**Based on the 150 Block Meal Plan

• ESTIMATED SPRING/SUMMER 2012 (May - August)

For most programs of study these costs are for the eight-week Spring half-term (May-June) or the eight-week Summer half-term (July-August).  If you attend both terms, multiply these costs by two. Spring/Summer 2013 estimated budgets are posted in March 2013.
* The distinction between Lower Division and Upper Division is based on the number of credit hours completed (including AP and transfer credits), not on the number of years you have attended.

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• TUITION & FEES

Tuition and fees are based on a full-time credit hour load, defined by the University as 12-18 credit hours per term for undergraduate students. Students who elect fewer than 12 credit hours are charged on a per credit hour basis. Those who elect more than 18 hours must pay for the additional credit hours.

For financial aid eligibility purposes, full-time for graduate students is defined as 8 credit hours per term.  Please note, however, that for tuition rate purposes, full-time for graduate students is defined as 9 credit hours per term. 

Rates listed here for undergraduates apply to students in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Tuition and fees may be higher or lower, depending on a student's program of study. Current full- and part-time tuition and fees for all U-M Schools and Colleges are available from the Office of the Registrar.

For residency questions, contact the Office of the Registrar. 

See Student Financial Services for information about your U-M account, eBill, installment payment plans, and payment dates.

Students with chronic health issues that require hospitalization may be interested in the university's tuition insurance plan. For information, see the Tuition Refund Plan page of the University Health Service website.

• ROOM & BOARD

The University of Michigan Housing Office website provides detailed schedules of room and board options and rates. All residence hall room contracts require a meal plan for both fall and winter semesters.

The university residence halls offer a variety of room types and meal plans. The Office of Financial Aid uses the standard double-occupancy rate and the 150 Block Meal Plan rate in the budget to determine aid eligibility. However, you would pay more for a single room and less for an economy triple room and board, and your board rate will vary based on the meal plan you select.

Off-Campus Housing: The Ann Arbor community offers many options for living arrangements. The financial aid budget allows for off-campus rent, utility, and food costs up to the estimated cost for a standard double-occupancy room in a campus residence hall. However, your costs will depend on your housing arrangements and lifestyle. We suggest you evaluate carefully the costs you might incur by living off-campus.

Commuting: Students who live at home and commute to campus will reduce room and board costs significantly. The allowance for room and board in the financial aid budget for commuting students is $3,954 for the academic year to acknowledge ongoing family household expenses (food, utilities, etc.) and transportation costs.

• BOOKS & SUPPLIES

Costs vary by program, course load, and classes selected. Book and supply costs for students in the School of Art and Design, Architecture and Urban Planning, Dental Hygiene, and Business Administration are typically higher than the estimates listed here.  Contact the Office of Financial Aid for exact figures.  You may be able to reduce your costs significantly by buying used books and by using the university's extensive library and reserve book system.

• PERSONAL & MISCELLANEOUS

This category represents every other student expense--transportation, meals not covered under the standard meal contract, long distance phone calls, clothes, personal hygiene, student insurance, entertainment, etc. It is the most variable and personal component of anyone's budget. The financial aid budget allows about $65 per week. Personal spending can make or break a college budget. The most important thing is to set yourself an allowance, keep track of your expenses, and stick to your budget. Keep in mind:

• If you live off-campus, you may save money by having roommates.
• The four Cs -- cars, clothes, credit cards, and cell phones -- can bust your budget!
• For information on making decisions that will help you stick to your budget, visit the College Life section of CashCourse, the U-M Office of Financial Aid's personal finance portal, or view the video below:
   

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Many students wonder how moving to off-campus housing will affect their financial aid. The good news is that your move won’t affect the amount of your aid; your budget for housing will remain the same as if you were living in a double room in a dorm.

However, when you move off campus, it will be up to you to pay your rent. Instead of having your housing costs deducted automatically from your student account, you will need to pay your rent from your refund. Be sure to plan accordingly since you will have four months’ rent to pay for the semester.

• To see an estimate of your U-M bill (current and admitted students only), select Financial Planning Calculators from within Wolverine Access.
• U-M Tuition Refund Plan: The university offers a tuition insurance plan that may be of interest to students with chronic health issues that require hospitalization. For information, see the Tuition Refund Plan page on the University Health Service website.

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