3/19/24 - Colleges Begin Evaluating Tuition Adjustments

GRCC says they'll increase tuition rates by 3%.

March 19, 2024, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – (Press Release) - Grand Rapids Community College trustees approved a 3 percent tuition increase for the 2024-2025 academic year, prioritizing the affordability of a quality education. 

GRCC President Charles W. Lepper said the new tuition rate, approved unanimously by the board of trustees on Monday, continues to ensure that resources are available to support student needs. 

At the request of GRCC student leaders, the board of trustees also approved a $5 increase in the campus activities fee for part-time students. The additional funds will allow for increased student activities programming.

“The board of trustees and executive leadership of the college continue to prioritize affordability of a quality education for students, while working to ensure resources are available to support student needs,” said Lisa Freiburger, vice president for finance and administration.

The in-district tuition rate of $124 per contact hour is a 3 percent increase - $4 per contact hour - from the 2023-2024 rate. The total cost for most full-time students will be $4,179. 

The tuition change comes at a time when students have several options to attend college with education costs covered by state, local, and federal programs. In the Winter 2024 semester, nearly one in five GRCC students qualified for state aid programs that cover tuition and fees for in-district students. 

The Michigan Reconnect program, which provides a tuition-free opportunity to work toward a college degree or certificate, has been expanded from age 25 and older, to include residents ages 21-24 who apply and enroll no later than fall semester 2024. Additional details are at: https://www.grcc.edu/reconnect.

The college also is a proud partner with the Grand Rapids Promise Zone in providing a GRCC education without cost to graduates from 25 public, public charter, and private high schools located within the city.  For the class of 2024, more than 1,130 students in the city are eligible to have all their GRCC expenses covered through the Grand Rapids Promise Zone. Additional details are available at: https://www.grcc.edu/grcc-promise-zone-scholarship

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important step toward determining eligibility for these or other grants or scholarships. Students may qualify for a federal Pell Grant, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, or for other scholarships through the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation. Additional information is available at  https://www.grcc.edu/pay-college

Michigan community colleges receive revenue largely from three sources: tuition and fees, local property taxes, and state aid. GRCC’s costs are far below the average tuition and fee costs among Michigan’s 28  community colleges and will remain one of the most affordable college options in the state. The cost to attend GRCC is about a third of the average cost to attend and live on-campus  at a four-year institution in Michigan, based on data from the Michigan Education Savings Program.