Understanding LaGuardia Community College Costs

LaGuardia Community College, situated in Long Island City, Queens, New York, is a part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Determining the true cost of attending LaGuardia Community College involves understanding various factors, including tuition, fees, living expenses, and financial aid options. This article aims to provide a comprehensive breakdown of these costs to help prospective students and their families plan their finances effectively.

Overview of LaGuardia Community College

LaGuardia Community College is a public institution with a high retention rate of 64%. However, the graduation rate is relatively low at 26%. The college's website can be found at www.lagcc.cuny.edu.

Tuition and Fees

Cost is an important consideration for most students when they are deciding which educational program is best suited to their goals and aspirations. The following information will help students calculate the cost of attending LaGuardia Community College. Generally, a student budget consists of the direct educational costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies, as well as those costs incurred by virtue of attendance, such as for transportation and lunch. In addition, all students have costs related to recreation and personal expenses.

Tuition Costs

Tuition is the sum of monies per term or semester which is required to be paid or satisfied prior to the first day of classes in order for a student to be considered enrolled. All fees and tuition charges listed in the College catalog and in any registration material issued by the College are subject to change by action of the university’s Board of Trustees without prior notice. In the event of any increase in the fees or tuition charges, payments already made to the College will be treated as partial payments and notification will be given of the additional amount due and the time and method of payment.

As of the 2024-2025 academic year, New York City and New York State residents with a valid certificate of residence can expect to pay the following tuition fees:

Full-time matriculated students (12-18 units): $2,400.00 per semester
Part-time matriculated students (fewer than 12 units): $210.00 per unit
Non-degree students: $265.00 per unit

Non-New York City residents, international (F-1 visa) students, or undocumented students who are ineligible for residency tuition rates pay:

Full-time and part-time matriculated students: $320.00 per unit
Non-degree students: $420.00 per unit

It is important to note that these amounts are subject to change by the action of the CUNY Board of Trustees.

Student Fees

Each student must pay student fees each semester, which are non-refundable. For full-time students (12 or more equated credits), these fees include:

Student Activity Fee: $67
Consolidated Services Fee: $15
University Senate Fee: $1.45
Technology Fee: $125

Part-time students (less than 12 equated credits) pay:

Student Activity Fee: $26
Consolidated Services Fee: $15
University Senate Fee: $1.45
Technology Fee: $62.50

Senior citizens (60 or older) pay a consolidated fee of $15.

Read also: Explore LaGuardia

Other Non-Instructional Fees

Additional fees may apply for various administrative services:

Freshman Application: $65
Transfer Application: $70
New non-degree application: $65
Late Registration: $25
Late Payment Fee: $15
Program Change: $18
Transcript: $7 (free to CUNY; cash or money order for all others)
Readmission: $20
Reinstatement: $20
Penalty Fee for issuance of bad check: $20
Duplicate Diploma: $15
Duplicate ID: $10
Duplicate Bursar’s Receipt/Copy of Schedule: $5
Locker per year: $1
Special Examination:
- First examination: $15
- Each additional examination: $5
- Maximum each session: $25
Reserve Materials: $0.10 per minute, twenty-four hours per day (to a maximum of $100.00)
Lost or Damaged Materials: Overdue fines, accumulated to the date reported, and replacement costs of the materials, plus a $5 processing charge.

Estimated Total Costs

To provide a clearer picture of the overall cost, it's useful to break down the expenses for both dependent and independent students.

Expenses for Dependent and Certain Independent Students

Dependent students, or those who receive assistance from family or other sources, can expect to pay $5,217 in annual tuition and fees. Additional estimated costs for the academic year include:

Books and supplies: $1,516
Transportation: $1,320
Personal and lunch items: $2,092
Room and board: $6,822

Expenses for Independent Students

Independent students and dependent students living away from home for 12 months during the academic year can expect the following expenses in addition to $5,217 tuition and fees:

Books and supplies: $1,516
Transportation: $1,320
Personal and lunch items: $2,861
Room and board: $19,910

Additional Cost Considerations

Besides tuition and fees, students should also consider the cost of books and supplies, which can range from $500 to $1,000 per year, depending on the major and specific courses. Living expenses, especially for those not living with parents, can be a significant portion of the costs, estimated at around $18,000 per year.

Financial Aid and Affordability

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Financial Aid Options

LaGuardia Community College provides various financial aid options to help students manage the cost of education. These include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. The average aid package awarded is $5,199.

Grants and Scholarships: These do not need to be paid back.
Loans: These must be paid back.

The net price, which is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships, averages $8,753 per year.

Net Price Based on Household Income

The average cost of attendance for a student will depend on their age and how much gift aid they qualify for. For instance, families with a household income between $0 and $30,000 might expect an average 4-year cost of $2,473 after grants and scholarships.

Student Debt and Income

It's crucial to consider the relationship between student debt and annual income after graduation. A good rule of thumb is to keep total debt less than the expected annual income, enabling loan repayment in 10 years or less.

Tuition Payment Plans and Refunds

Monthly Payment Plan

LaGuardia Community College offers a monthly payment plan, allowing students to spread out their payments over 6 monthly installments without interest. An enrollment fee of $40 per semester applies for eCheck payments, or $75 per semester if paying by American Express, Visa, Discover, or MasterCard.

Tuition Refund Policy

All tuition refunds are calculated according to the date that the student drops a course or courses. Non-instructional fees are non-refundable, except when courses are cancelled by the College, a student’s registration is cancelled by the College, or the student enters military, Peace Corps or VISTA service.

Students who drop courses from their record during the change of program period are entitled to a refund according to the following schedule:

Fall and Spring 12-Week Session I

100%: Before the first day of classes.
75%: Within six calendar days from the scheduled session start date.
50%: Between the 7th and 12th calendar days from the scheduled session start date.
25%: Between the 13th and 17th calendar days from the scheduled session start date.
None: Beyond the 17th calendar day from the scheduled session start date.

Fall and Spring 6-Week Session II

100%: Before the first day of classes.
50%: Within five calendar days from the scheduled session start date.
25%: Between the 6th and 9th calendar days from the scheduled session start date.
None: Beyond the 9th calendar day from the scheduled session start date.

Medical Leave, Military Service, and Title IV Funds

In cases of medical leaves of absence, the refund is calculated according to the last day of attendance. Special guidelines apply for refunds for students withdrawing for service in the military, Peace Corps, or VISTA.

During the first 60% of the term, students earn Title IV funds in proportion to the time they are enrolled. If a student receives more aid than he/she earned, the unearned portion must be returned to the Department of Education. If a student receives less aid than the amount earned, he/she may be eligible for a late disbursement.

Qualification for In-State Tuition

Undocumented students may benefit from a 2001 New York State law that expanded the definition of who can qualify for resident tuition while attending a CUNY college. The law allows students, including undocumented students, to pay resident tuition if they:

Were enrolled in CUNY for the Fall 2001 semester, and qualified for in-state tuition at that time; or
Attended a New York State high school for two or more years, graduated, and applied to attend a CUNY institution within five years of receiving a New York State diploma; or
Attended an approved New York State program for the GED exam preparation, received a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) from New York State, and applied to attend a CUNY institution within five years of receiving the New York State GED.

Individuals qualifying based on the 2001 state law are eligible for in-state tuition even if they have not resided in New York State for one year. To take advantage of the resident tuition rate, undocumented immigrants must file a notarized affidavit (Affidavit of Intent) stating that they have applied to legalize their status, OR that they will apply to do so as soon as they are eligible.

Developing a Budget

Students who depend on some other person to provide a substantial portion of their support are generally defined as dependent students. For these students, the costs represent the total out-of-pocket costs that result from college attendance. For self-supporting students, who do not depend upon some other person for support, the out-of-pocket costs must be considered in addition to the regular cost of living, which students incur as a result of being dependent upon their own resources.

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