Undergraduate Tuition and Fees FAQ

Is tuition increasing this fall?

Yes, in an effort to maintain broad access and preserve academic quality across the System, the Board of Regents has approved a tuition increase for the 35 institutions in the System. For Georgia Tech undergraduates — both in-state and out-of-state — the increase will be $106 per semester for undergraduates. Any students who enrolled under the Guaranteed Tuition Plan (also known as "fixed for four") will not be subjected to the increase.

What revenue sources comprise the Georgia Tech budget?

There are five main revenue sources, accounting for 92 percent of Tech's total original budget in FY2011:

  • Sponsored funding, which includes more than $60 million from GT Foundation for scholarships & other purposes — $444 million (37%)
  • State appropriations — $231 million (19%)
  • Tuition — $217 million (18%)
  • Auxiliary Enterprises — $125 million (10%)
  • Indirect Cost Recoveries — $103 million (8%)
I enrolled under the Guaranteed Tuition Plan. Will my tuition go up?

Students who enrolled under the Guaranteed Tuition Plan (often called "Fixed for Four") and who have not yet reached the end of their plan will see no change or increase in their tuition.

I am on the Guaranteed Tuition Plan and I am on a 5-year program. What rate will I pay when my Guaranteed Tuition Plan expires?

Students who are enrolled in a 5-year program or in a category previously approved for a Guaranteed Tuition Plan extension (active military) should consult with the Bursar's Office to determine eligibility and tuition rate.

What is the "flat tuition rate?"

The flat tuition rate means that students will have the option of paying for six hours or 15 hours. Students enrolled in more than six hours but choose to take fewer than 15 will pay for 15 credit hours. Tech students who enroll for six hours or fewer will pay a reduced rate. To view the costs associated with attendance, view tuition costs by semester.

My insurance company requires that I be enrolled as a full-time student. I am taking 12 hours. Am I still considered a full-time student?

Yes, for financial aid and verification of enrollment purposes, 12 hours is still considered full-time. However, enrollment hours will affect HOPE disbursements; please see FAQs on the HOPE Scholarship for more information.

Will HOPE cover this tuition increase? What about the flat tuition rate at Tech?

For students receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship (3.3 GPA or higher): HOPE will fund 100 percent of tuition for the 2011-12 school year, which covers the tuition increase.

For students receiving the HOPE scholarship (GPA between 3.0 and 3.29): HOPE will fund 90 percent of the tuition cost for the previous school year, meaning HOPE does not cover the tuition increase for 2011-12. For these students, the 3 percent tuition increase approved for the 2011-12 academic year means the scholarship disbursement will cover approximately 87.4 percent of tuition. See HOPE FAQs [PDF file] for more information about changes to the HOPE scholarship.

Is the Institutional Fee increase covered by HOPE?

No; HOPE no longer provides funding for book or fee expenses. Please refer to updated HOPE information from the Office of Financial Aid for more about the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships.

What other funding is available to compensate for tuition and fee increases?

During the 2011 Georgia Legislative session, lawmakers created a new $20 million loan program, where eligible students can seek a 1 percent need-based loan to cover any of the costs associated with attending college. These loans can also be forgiven altogether if recipients become certified and teach in a Georgia public K-12 school in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields. Each year of classroom service will forgive one year of student loan.

Details of the loan program have not been finalized, so students should contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to discuss this or any other funding opportunities.

Who do I contact to discuss my opinion about the increase in fees and tuition?

Undergraduate students may e-mail their thoughts to the leaders of the undergraduate student body (President Elle Creel and Vice President Austen Edwards) at sgabudget@mail.gatech.edu.

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