Graduate Financial Aid Workbook
2025 – 2026 Graduate Scholarships & Financial Aid
Part 1: Scholarships, Financial Aid & Loans
Graduate Scholarships
All applicants, U.S. and international, are automatically considered for CCS Graduate Scholarships upon completion of the admissions requirements. Awards are based on the portfolio review, academic achievement, the interview and the applicant’s potential for success. If an applicant is awarded a CCS Graduate Scholarship, they will receive notification of this scholarship along with their acceptance letter. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to continue receiving these scholarships. Students receiving tuition assistance from their employer will not be eligible for these scholarships.
Graduate Federal Loan Programs
Eligibility Requirements
To receive federal loans from CCS, students must:
- Complete the FAFSA annually
- Be accepted for enrollment in the graduate program
- Attend the College on at least a half-time basis
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
In addition, students cannot owe a refund on previous Title IV funds received or be in default on any student loan.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan Program
These are fixed-rate, non-need-based loans that are available to all students who have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Direct Unsubsidized Loan begins accruing interest from the time the loan is disbursed. The FAFSA is located on the U. S. Department of Education’s website at studentaid.gov.
CCS’s Title IV code is 006771.
Repayment of this loan begins six months after graduation, withdraw from school or drop below half-time enrollment status (fewer than six credits).
Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan Program
“Grad Plus” fixed-rate loans are based on a credit application, which you apply online through https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/grad/landing. This loan program allows you to make up the difference between the cost of your education and all other financial aid awards. Repayment of this loan begins six months after graduation, withdraw from school or drop below half-time enrollment status (fewer than six credits).
Graduate Federal Loan Programs
Alternative Loan Program
Credit-based loans from private lenders. Visit the Graduate Scholarship and Aid section of the CCS website or contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Student Employment Program
The College-funded work program meets campus needs and employs students ineligible under federal work-study programs. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Duration of Eligibility
Full-time students may receive financial aid for a maximum of three years (six semesters) of full-time awards. Half-time students are eligible for a maximum of six years (12 semesters) of half-time awards. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
The standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measure a student’s academic progress using both qualitative and quantitative measurements. These measurements include a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement, a Pace/Course Completion Rate requirement and a Maximum Time Frame requirement.
Students who receive financial aid must demonstrate SAP as determined by the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in accordance with federal regulations. Financial aid recipients are required to be in good academic standing and to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degree requirements for each semester in which they are enrolled.
SAP is evaluated at the end of each term in which a student is enrolled (Fall, Winter and Summer). Federal regulations require the College to evaluate students who receive federal financial aid using standards that are at least as strict as standards that apply to students who do not receive federal financial aid; CCS evaluates all students using the same standards. SAP is evaluated based on the student’s cumulative academic record.
Visit the CCS Policy Database at campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/policy for the entire Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) — Graduate Students Policy.
Return of Title IV Funds
Federal regulations require Title IV financial aid funds to be awarded under the assumption that a student will attend the institution for the entire period in which federal assistance was awarded. When a student withdraws from all courses for any reason, including medical withdrawals, he/she may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Title IV funds that he/she was originally scheduled to receive. The return of funds is based upon the premise that students earn their financial aid in proportion to the amount of time in which they are enrolled. A prorated schedule is used to determine the amount of federal student aid funds he/she will have earned at the time of the withdrawal. Once 60% of the semester is completed, a student is considered to have earned all of his/her financial aid and will not be required to return any funds.
Federal law requires schools to calculate how much federal financial aid a student has earned if that student:
- Completely withdraws, or
- Stops attending before completing the semester
Based on this calculation, CCS students who receive federal financial aid and do not complete their classes during a semester or term could be responsible for repaying a portion of the aid they received. Students who do not begin attendance must repay all financial aid disbursed for the term.
Visit the CCS Policy Database at campus.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/policy for the entire Return of Title IV Funds Policy.
Part 2: Direct and Indirect Costs
Direct Costs
Full-time status refers to students enrolled in 12 to 18 credits per semester in a graduate degree program. Full-time students are charged a flat-rate fee for the semester. Students enrolling less than full-time (fewer than 12 credits per semester) are charged per credit hour at a rate of $1,809 per credit. Part-time enrollment must be discussed and approved by the program Chair.
| Direct Costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (12 – 18 credit hours) | $28,230 | $28,230 | $56,460 |
| Registration Fees | 100 | 100 | 200 |
| Resources Fees | 590 | 590 | 1,180 |
| Accident Insurance Fee | 20 | — | 20 |
| Tuition & Fees Subtotal | $29,349 | + $27,885 | = $57,234 |
On-Campus Housing Options
The following housing options are available to full-time College for Creative Studies students.
Loft-Style Units — Taubman Center: 2 — 4 students per unit; food plan required
2-person room = $4,325 per semester / $8,650 per year
3-person room = $4,270 per semester / $8,540 per year
4-person room = $4,270 per semester / $8,540 per year
Apartment-Style Units — Art Centre Building: 1 — 6 students per unit; food plan optional
1-person room = $4,965 per semester / $9,930 per year
2-person room = $4,800 per semester / $9,600 per year
4-person room = $4,470 per semester / $8,940 per year
6-person room = $4,360 per semester / $8,720 per year
On-Campus Food Plan
CCS Dining Dollars may be used at the CCS cafeteria, in campus vending machines or at the after-hours grill. Remaining points at the end of the Fall semester will roll over to the Winter semester. Remaining points at the end of the Winter semester will be forfeited.
Dining Dollars per Semester
$2,175 per semester / $4,350 per year
$1,450 per semester / $2,900 per year
Tuition Payment
You may pay tuition and fees in full at the time of registration. Students may pay tuition and fees online, by mail or at the Cashier’s Office (313.664.7435).
College for Creative Studies – Attn: Cashier
201 East Kirby
Detroit, MI 48202
Students may also pay online through Self-Service.
ACI Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plan
The College for Creative Studies accepts tuition payments through ACI. ACI offers monthly interest-free payment plans that allow students to divide tuition and other expenses into five smaller monthly payments, spread over the semester, for a $65 enrollment fee. For enrollment or additional information, please visit payplan.officialpayments.com.
Indirect Cost of Attendance Component Amount Ranges
| Indirect Costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Books/Supplies & Course-Related Materials | $2,774 | $2,774 | $2,774 |
| Transportation | $1,700 | $3,978 | $2,210 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous | $5,134 | $3,944 | $2,720 |
| Housing | $8,989 | $4,059 | $9,486 |
| Food | $7,154 | $5,610 | $4,386 |
| Loan Fees | $216 | $216 | $216 |
Direct Costs
Billable monetary costs to attend the semester or academic year that the student will be billed for. These include: tuition charges, mandatory
fees, and if the student requires campus housing and a meal plan — those are also billable direct costs once the student has signed up for campus housing. These costs are as shown on the previous page.
- Set tuition for full-time enrollment. Can vary only if student registers part-time (below 12 credits), based on a per-credit hour tuition rate
- Range of on-campus housing and food plan options. Costs can vary based on selections made when student completes housing application
Indirect Costs
Non-billable costs associated with a student attending a college semester or academic year. These can include textbooks; school supplies; loan fees; travel expenses, such as gas to and from campus; personal/miscellaneous expenses, such as personal care items, clothing, laundry and entertainment; and (if you live off campus) home or apartment costs such as rent, utilities and food.
- Can vary based on several factors determined by FAFSA application information, including determination of student dependency status and living arrangements, e.g., living with parents, living off campus or living in on-campus housing