Undergraduate Financial Aid Workbook

2026 – 2027 Undergraduate Costs & Financial Aid

Step 1: Types of Financial AidStep 2: Apply for Financial Aid
Step 3: CCS Tuition & Overall CostsStep 4: Financial Aid Literacy & Guidance

Step 1: Types of Financial Aid

Awarding Philosophy

The College for Creative Studies makes every effort to remove cost as a barrier to education and makes fair and equitable awards for all students. CCS uses merit and need components to determine the percentage of gift aid students receive from all sources. Self-help aid is awarded according to the student’s need, eligibility and available funding.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for need-based financial aid is determined by an analysis of family resources calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To receive need-based financial assistance from the College, students must:

1. Demonstrate financial need indicated by Student Aid Index (SAI)
2. Be accepted for enrollment in a degree program
3. Maintain satisfactory academic progress
4. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
5. Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours (for Direct Loans)
6. Have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent
7. Not owe a refund on previous Title IV funds received or be in default on any federal student loan

For more information, visit studentaid.gov.

Merit Scholarships

CCS also awards scholarships based on merit. Students may qualify for these scholarships based on the strength of their admission application. No additional application is required for these scholarships.

Duration of Financial Aid

Full-time students may receive financial aid for a maximum of six years (12 semesters) of full-time awards. Half-time students are eligible for a maximum of 12 years (24 semesters) of half-time awards. Grants and scholarships from the State of Michigan may have a lower maximum number of years for both full- and part-time enrollment. Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan availability is subject to aggregate maximums. Dependent students have an aggregate maximum of $31,000 and independent students $57,500. This equates to 4.5 – 5 years of eligibility if the maximum yearly amounts are utilized. Transfer students may have reduced eligibility if they utilized federal and state aid programs at previous schools.

Types of Financial Aid

The College for Creative Studies has a strong commitment to assisting its students in meeting educational costs. Ninety-eight percent of the students enrolled at CCS are receiving some form of financial assistance through federal, state, institutional or private sources. The following financial assistance may be available to eligible students at the College for Creative Studies:

Federal

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study
• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Federal Direct PLUS Loans

State

• Michigan Achievement Scholarship
• Michigan Future Educators Fellowship or Stipend
• Michigan Competitive Scholarship
• Michigan Tuition Grant
• Michigan Fostering Futures Scholarship
• Michigan Children of Veterans Tuition Grant
• Michigan Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) Phase II

Institutional

• CCS Scholarships and Grants
• Donor-Restricted Scholarships
• Student Employment Programs (non-federal work-study)

Promise Grant Programs

CCS participates with the following programs. Please refer to the specific program websites for eligibility info.

• Detroit Promise Grant
• Kalamazoo Promise Grant
• Bearcat Advantage

Alternative Sources

• Outside Student-Specific Scholarships
• Private Loan Programs
• College Savings Plans
• Employer Reimbursement/Dependent Tuition Reimbursement
• VA Benefits

Disbursement of Financial Aid/Refunds

The main award year consists of two semesters (Fall and Winter) for a total of 31 weeks. Awards are credited to student accounts at the beginning of each semester and are based on full-time status (12 credits or more). Awards will be adjusted for students attending less than full-time based on their actual semester enrollment. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credits) to receive most kinds of financial aid.

Students whose total financial aid is greater than the charges owed to the school will receive a refund for the overage. Refunds for all borrowers at CCS will be processed the week before each semester is set to begin. It is important to remember that financial aid is disbursed on a per-semester basis, so if you have taken a loan out for an additional $5,000 for the year, you will receive $2,500 during the Fall semester, and $2,500 during the Winter semester.

On-Campus Jobs and Work-Study

CCS commits funds to supplement Federal Work-Study grants so that any student interested in on-campus employment can apply. View cur- rent available positions under the Financial Aid Office internal website. Note: Jobs are not assigned, or guaranteed, and hiring managers have discretion over who they hire. If hired, funds will be received in the form of a biweekly paycheck.

Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid

Applying for Financial Aid

1. As part of the admissions process, all CCS applicants are reviewed for a merit scholarship based on academic and artistic achievement.
2. To be reviewed for additional need-based financial aid from CCS and the federal and state governments, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed before or after you apply for admission to CCS. File early! Some aid is only available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is recommended you file on or shortly after October 1. For State of Michigan filers, you must submit your FAFSA no later than May 1.
3. Start by creating an FSA ID and password at studentaid.gov. The FSA ID will be used to log in to and sign your FAFSA each year. – If you are considered a dependent for financial aid purposes, both you and your parent/contributor will need an FSA ID. It is essential that each person creates their own ID to ensure they know the username, password, email address and challenge questions. Without this information, it can be difficult gaining access to your account and can delay filling out necessary paperwork – Each person creating an FSA ID will need their own email address. An email address cannot be used with more than one ID. You can use email to unlock an ID, retrieve a forgotten username or reset a password. For security reasons, only the FSA ID owner should have these capabilities – The FSA ID serves as a legal signature and should not be shared with anyone, including family, school personnel, loan servicers or contact center agents
4. Visit studentaid.gov to complete the FAFSA, and indicate that College for Creative Studies (federal school code 006771) is one of the schools you want to receive your information.
5. The FAFSA requests that you report past income information to determine financial need. If the income reported on your FAFSA has been impacted by financial hardship, fill out and submit the FAFSA as requested, but separately contact our office. We may be able to help make adjustments that reflect your current situation.
6. Review your application carefully for accuracy before submitting. For the FAFSA to be considered completed, it must be signed by both the student and the parent (if applicable) using the FSA ID and password.
7. CCS will receive the results of your FAFSA in 7 — 10 days. Note: If you did not enter your SSN correctly on your CCS admissions application, your FAFSA cannot be processed by CCS. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 313.664.7495 to update your record. Please do not email your SSN.
8. Once you’ve been admitted to CCS and your FAFSA result has been received, it will be reviewed to determine if follow-up documentation is required. Documentation requests are sent to the email address listed on your FAFSA. All requested documentation must be received before aid can actually be disbursed.
9. While we await the return of any requested documentation, we will calculate an estimated award offer. The Estimated Financial Aid is intended to give you a rough idea of what your financial aid and out-of-pocket expenses will be. The final figures will vary based on any corrections that need to be made to your financial aid application.

Your Financial Aid Award

1. Once all necessary documentation has been received and processed, you will receive your Financial Aid Award offer as a letter in the mail. This letter will detail all grants, scholarships and federal loan funds you qualify for. All award amounts on this letter are based on full-time enrollment. Students wishing to explore part-time enrollment should contact the Office of Financial Aid.
2. Carefully review the letter and contact the Office of Financial Aid with any questions or concerns you may have.
3. Complete the process of accepting/declining your Financial Aid Awards online by logging in to your Self-Service system. Visit selfservice.collegeforcreativestudies.edu.
4. Students accepting Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans need to complete: (1) a Subsidized/Unsubsidized Master Promissory Note; and (2) Loan Entrance Counseling at studentaid.gov. These steps are mandatory and will help you understand the rights and responsibilities as a borrower. Links to these required steps are available at the students’ Financial Aid Checklist within the Self-Service system.
5. If your biological or step-parent would like to accept the Parent PLUS Loan (federal loan in parent name), they must complete the Parent PLUS Loan Authorization Form and submit to the Office of Financial Aid for processing.

Private Education Loan

If you wish to apply for a private educational loan (in your name as primary borrower), you can apply with a bank, credit union or national lender of your choice. You can visit https://www.elmselect.com/v4/ school/389/program-select for additional information.

The Parent PLUS and private loans typically require a credit history check component for approval/denial. Most students require a credit- worthy co-signer. Since credit applications can be declined, it is strongly encouraged that any supplemental loan applications are submitted and approved before the semester tuition due date. If approved, make sure to review the terms of the loan carefully.

Tuition Payment

You may pay tuition and fees online, by mail or at the Cashier’s Office.

College for Creative Studies — Attn: Cashier
201 East Kirby
Detroit, MI 48202
313.664.7435

Pay online through Self-Service.

ACI Interest-Free Monthly Payment Plan

CCS accepts tuition payments through ACI. These monthly interest- free payment plans allow students and families 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.

Step 3: CCS Tuition & Overall Costs At-a-Glance

Direct costs listed below are based on the rates for the 2026 – 2027 academic year. Tuition and fees are subject to change prior to the start of the 2026 – 2027 academic year.

Full-time status refers to students enrolled 12 to 18 credits per semester in an undergraduate degree program. Full-time students are charged a flat-rate fee for the semester based on 15 credit hours of tuition. Students enrolling less than full-time (fewer than 12 credits per semester) are charged per credit hour at a rate of $1,865 per credit. Contact the Office of Financial Aid if you are interested in part-time enrollment.

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 Dining Dollars at the end of the Fall semester will roll over to the Winter semester. Remaining Dining Dollars 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

Questions

We’re here to answer any questions you may have. Email [email protected] or call 313.664.7495. Our office is located on the first floor in the Yamasaki Building — Walter & Josephine Ford Campus.

Step 4: Financial Aid Literacy & Guidance

Financial Aid Terminology & Info

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.

Indirect Costs

Estimated costs associated with a student attending a college semester or academic year that a student will need to budget and pay for. 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.

Financial Aid Literacy & Mindfulness Tips

It is important to know your rights and your responsibilities as you begin to access financial aid for college. Students and families utilizing financial aid should feel empowered to ask their CCS financial aid advisor questions, and to seek out information regarding the U.S. federal and CCS rules related to financial aid. This is a simple place to start.

1. Know and understand your financing options, such as a Federal PLUS Loan, private loan (bank/credit union) or monthly payment plan by asking questions if you need help planning out how and when you will submit tuition payments.
2. Know where you stand with SAP vs. the minimum requirements to maintain your financial aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be monitored at the end of each semester.
3. Understand and explore part-time enrollment costs and financial aid impacts before deciding to drop or withdraw from a course.
4. Make responsible loan borrowing decisions to keep loan debt down to a minimum.
5. Refund checks are not free money, since they often are a result of a loan, and should be used responsibly for school-related expenses.
6. Once you enroll at CCS, FERPA regulations prohibit our ability to discuss your financial aid awards and billing details with person(s) other than you — the student. You can authorize these conversations by submitting a FERPA release to include a parent, guardian or significant other.
7. Take advantage of your resources: Calendly can be used to set up an in-person, phone or Zoom appointment with your financial aid counselor or academic advisor.