Gogebic Community College - Cost of Attendance and Determining Need

UNDERSTANDING COST OF ATTENDANCE

Cost of Attendance (COA) is an annual estimate of a student’s educational expenses for one academic year. The most important thing to remember about the cost of attendance is that it is not the same as your bill. The COA is an estimate of all the possible costs a student may incur as related to your attendance at Gogebic Community College (GCC). The COA is used to determine your financial need and the maximum amount of financial aid you may receive. Additionally, it is meant to help you budget appropriately for your enrollment at GCC.

The cost of attendance is made up of both direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are those that will appear on your bill and are required to be paid by you to the college. These costs include tuition, fees, and housing (if living on-campus).

The indirect costs are made up of expenses that the college does not bill you for, but that you may incur as the result of being a student. These indirect costs include off-campus room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous and personal costs.

HOW IS FINANCIAL AID DETERMINED?

Financial need is determined by subtracting a student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) from their GCC cost of attendance budget. GCC must consider all sources of financial assistance and subtract the estimated amount of all assistance from the student’s estimated total financial need.

To determine a student’s eligibility for need-based assistance, GCC must consider the student’s SAI. The SAI is calculated by the U.S. Department of Education from the information submitted in the student’s FAFSA. The SAI measures a family’s financial strength and determines the students' eligibility for federal student aid. GCC’s Financial Aid office must use the SAI calculated by the U.S. Department of Education.

FOR FINANCIAL AID PURPOSES, COA – SAI- OTHER FINANCIAL AID (OFA) = YOUR FINANCIAL NEED

GCC uses your calculated financial need to determine how much need-based financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

2023-2024 COST OF ATTENDANCE

The annual Cost of Attendance is based on living arrangement, residency, and full-time enrollment (31 credits) for two semesters fall and spring. Individual programs or coursework may have additional fees associated.

Living with Parents or Relative	In District	Out of District	Out of State	International
Tuition and Fees	$5,590	$7,419	$8,318	$9,558
Books and Supplies	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500
Food and Housing	$3,250	$3,250	$3,250	$3,250
Transportation	$2,160	$2,160	$2,160	$2,160
Miscellaneous and Personal	$1,980	$1,980	$1,980	$1,980
Federal Student Loan Fee	$60	$60	$60	$60
Total	$14,540	$16,369	$17,268	$18,508

Living Off Campus	In District	Out of District	Out of State	International
Tuition and Fees	$5,590	$7,419	$8,318	$9,558
Books and Supplies	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500
Food and Housing	$7,950	$7,950	$7,950	$7,950
Transportation	$2,160	$2,160	$2,160	$2,160
Miscellaneous and Personal	$1,980	$1,980	$1,980	$1,980
Federal Student Loan Fee	$60	$60	$60	$60
Total	$ 19,240	$ 21,069	$21,968	$23,208

Living On Campus	In District	Out of District	Out of State	International
Tuition and Fees	$5,590	$7,419	$8,318	$9,558
Books and Supplies	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500	$1,500
Food and Housing*	$6,500	$6,500	$6,500	$6,500
Transportation	$2,160	$2,160	$2,160	$2,160
Miscellaneous and Personal Expenses	$1,980	$1,980	$1,980	$1,980
Federal Student Loan Fee	$60	$60	$60	$60
Total	$ 17,790	$ 19,619	$20,518	$21,758

*Housing based on Campus Suites double occupancy

Note: Students enrolled less than half-time, the food and housing and miscellaneous personal expenses are not included.

COA Component Explanations

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are based on full-time enrollment (31 credits) for two semesters, Fall and Spring. Actual costs for a student will vary depending on the student’s program of study, enrollment, course specific fees and residency.

Books and Supplies

This is an estimate of the cost of books and supplies for a typical student for the entire academic year.

Housing and Food

Housing costs are initially based on the student’s response to living plans on their FAFSA. The amount is based on data supplied from government data compiled annually from the Fair Market Rent Documentation System compiled annually for the State of Michigan and data collected from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. Food costs are based on multiple data sources of area specific food costs, including the United States Food and Drug Administration (USDA).

Miscellaneous Personal Expenses

This is an estimate of costs for clothing, haircuts, entertainment, etc. for the year. Money spent on these types of items will vary from student to student. The miscellaneous personal expense estimate is based on select data collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Survey on Consumer Expenses most recent available data: 2021, Midwest Region.

Federal Student Loan Fees

There is an origination fee of 1.057% for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans, which is taken out of the loan before funds are sent to GCC. The $60 listed above is the average fee for students who borrow these loans. Actual fees will depend on the amount you borrow (if any). If a parent loan is taken, the fees are adjusted to cover the actual cost of the loan origination of that loan.

Professional, Licensure, Certificate

The cost of professional licensure or certificate is estimated from information provided by the academic program. The cost is included if: the credential is required for the GCC program of study or to work in the field that the program prepares students for. The cost will be incurred while the student is enrolled in the program, even if the actual test is not until after the end of the program.

Financial Aid Appeals

Cost of Attendance Appeal (Budget Appeal)

The Financial Aid Office (FAO) may be able to increase a student’s COA if they have allowable expenses that are incurred during the academic year that are either not already included in the standard COA or are larger than what is included in the standard student budget. The following expenses are examples of expenses that can be considered.

- - Disability-related expenses for the student
  - Cost of Childcare/Dependent care
  - Purchase of a computer/equipment needed for school
  - Additional required educational expenses
  - Room and board expenses

A Cost of Attendance Appeal allows for but does not guarantee that additional financial aid will be awarded. Supporting documentation must be submitted with each appeal to verify the paid expenses and must be in the student’s name. If your request results in increased eligibility for aid, you may receive additional assistance if funds are available. Budget adjustment requests are evaluated only after the original FAFSA, and all supporting documents have been reviewed. Contact the Financial Aid Office at (906) 307-1206 or FAO@gogebic.edu for additional information regarding adjustments.