Kennesaw State University: A Comprehensive Breakdown of Tuition and Fees

Understanding the costs associated with higher education is a crucial step in planning for your academic future. This article provides a detailed breakdown of tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities at Kennesaw State University (KSU). By examining the various components of the cost of attendance, prospective and current students can gain a clearer picture of the investment involved in pursuing a degree at KSU.

Tuition: In-State vs. Out-of-State

Kennesaw State University's tuition varies significantly depending on residency status. For in-state students, the tuition is $5,700 per year. Out-of-state students face a higher tuition rate of $21,030 per year.

Compared to the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,201, Kennesaw State University is more affordable for Georgia residents. Similarly, for out-of-state students, the tuition is lower than the national average cost of $29,084.

Mandatory Fees

In addition to tuition, students are required to pay several mandatory fees that support various aspects of university life. These fees are essential for maintaining and enhancing the quality of education and campus services. Here's a breakdown of what each fee covers:

Athletic Fee: Supports the Intercollegiate Athletics program, including eighteen team sports and athletic scholarships. It also grants students with a valid student ID free admission to all regular-season home games.
Health Fee: Provides health services for KSU students through a long-term agreement with WellStar Medical Group, LLC. WellStar offers full-time, full-service healthcare and consultations for preventative and acute medical care.
Parking Fee: Supports the operations, debt services, maintenance, infrastructure, and surface parking on both the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses.
Recreation Center Fee: Manages and operates the programs, services, and facilities conducted by the Department of Sports and Recreation. These promote physical, social, and leadership development through sport and recreation activities. The fee also contributes to debt services for the Dr. Betty L. Siegel Student Recreation and Activities Center on the Kennesaw campus.
Transportation Fee: Provides and promotes alternative transportation options for campus, including the Big Owl Bus campus shuttle system, bicycling infrastructure, and programs supporting regional transit. This fee covers transit vehicles, transportation staff, vehicle maintenance, insurance, gasoline, transit technology, uniforms, training, and transportation infrastructure.
Sports and Recreation Parks Fee: Covers the facility bond payment, insurance, required Renewal and Replacement funding, and basic operational expenses for the 88-acre Sports and Recreation Park. The park is used for intramural sports, club sports, student activities, academic classes, general recreation, and athletic activities.
Student Activity Fee: Provides financial support for the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses to enrich the co-curricular student experience. It supports essential student services, leadership development opportunities, and student wages for student leader positions. This fee supports Registered Student Organizations and University departments with a direct student impact through programming, events, and activities.
Technology Fee: Primarily used to outfit and update classroom technology, fund life cycle replacement of technology in the student labs, and fund student technology support personnel. This includes software applications, computers, overhead projectors, and smart boards.
Wellness Fee: Provides financial support for health promotion programs and services that address identified health needs and behavior risks of KSU students. These programs cover stress management, alcohol awareness, healthy relationships, sexual health, nutrition, cooking demonstrations, body image, CPR/AED/first aid, physical activity, and general wellness.
Online Learning Fee: Effective Fall 2024, this fee applies to students exclusively enrolled in distance learning or off-campus courses who do not concurrently take on-campus courses or reside on campus.

Other Costs to Consider

Beyond tuition and fees, students should also budget for other expenses, including:

Read also: Affording ECU

Books and Supplies: Approximately $1,500 per year. Some Premium Priced programs may not include the Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment, as these may be part of the overall program cost.
Personal Expenses: Approximately $3,970 per year.
Transportation: Approximately $2,040 per year.
Housing: Housing costs vary. Graduate students living on campus have a housing estimate of $11,838, while those living with parents will have a housing estimate of $3,045. Students in colleges based on the Kennesaw campus have a housing component of $11,838. Students that report living with parents will have a housing component of $1,858.

Total Cost of Attendance

The total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At Kennesaw State University, the total cost is $26,959 for in-state students and $41,027 for out-of-state students.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Kennesaw State University is committed to making education accessible and affordable. A significant portion of students receive financial aid to help offset the cost of attendance.

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 65%
Average Aid Package: $17,357

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need, which most colleges determine based on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Types of Financial Aid

Need-Based Scholarships and Grants: These don't need to be paid back. The average award is $15,304.
Need-Based Loans: These must be paid back. The average amount is $5,363.
Work-Study Jobs: These provide students with the opportunity to earn money while attending school.
Graduate Research Assistantships: A Graduate Research Assistant works with a faculty member on a specific research project for a certain number of hours each week. In exchange, the GRA is granted a tuition fee waiver and provided a stipend.

Financial Aid Application Process

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): Complete the FAFSA so that potential sources of financial aid can be identified for you.
KSU Scholarship Portal: KSU’s scholarship portal, Scholarship Universe, opens every year on November 1 and closes on March 1, and includes a list of scholarships specifically for graduate students.
Application Deadlines: Priority Application Due Date is March 1. Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork is May 1.

Important Notes on Financial Aid

You must be fully accepted to qualify for any student financial aid.
Students enrolled in some programs may not qualify for financial aid according to federal guidelines.
Students can view their estimated cost of attendance on Owl Express.

Debt at Graduation

The typical amount of loans a student must pay back after graduation is $24,559.

In the Fall of 2018, the University System of Georgia launched the Know More, Borrow Less (KMBL) initiative to ensure students are aware of their student loan debt. Each academic year, students will receive a debt letter, updating them on their cumulative student loan debt.

Tuition Guarantee Plans

Tuition at the time of first enrollment is guaranteed only to students making advance payment.

Net Price

The net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. The average net price is $17,566 per year. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

Understanding Fees for Online Courses

Students taking only online courses may incur different fees than those attending on-campus classes. Specifically, an Online Learning Fee has been introduced, effective Fall 2024, for students exclusively enrolled in distance learning or off-campus courses, who do not concurrently take on-campus courses or reside on campus.

Changes in Tuition and Fees

As a member institution of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State University's tuition and fee increases are effective with the Fall semester. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (BOR/USG) usually approves all tuition and fee schedules for the upcoming year during their April meeting. These approved tuition and fee schedules will be made available upon receipt by Kennesaw State University.

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