When it comes to college, understanding how much it costs and how to pay for it can be a lot to figure out.
The good news is that Community College of Philadelphia aims to make information as clear as possible so students can plan ahead.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about tuition, fees, financial aid, and payment options.
First, let’s talk about tuition.
If you live in Philadelphia, you’ll pay $159 per credit hour.
But if you’re from another part of Pennsylvania, the cost jumps to $318 per credit hour, plus an extra $10 for a nonresident capital fee for each credit.
Out-of-state students face the highest rate of $477 per credit hour, along with a $20 capital fee for each credit they take.
This difference in rates is pretty important, so knowing your residency status can make a big difference in how much you’ll pay.
On top of tuition, there are other fees to keep in mind.
The college charges a general college fee of $4 per credit, which helps cover the cost of things like student publications, athletics, and student clubs.
Then, there’s a technology fee of $30 per credit, which supports technology services for students.
If you’re taking certain classes, like science labs or clinical instruction courses, there are extra course fees that can range from $85 to $345.
For online learners, there’s an additional fee of $35 per online course.
Also, first-time students have to pay a one-time processing fee of $60.
It might not seem like a lot, but when you add up all these fees, they can make a noticeable difference in your overall costs.
Another fee to watch out for is the late registration fee of $30, which kicks in if you register after the first payment deadline.
To give you a concrete example, let’s say a Philadelphia resident takes a typical 13-credit course load, including classes like ENGL 101, PSYC 101, MATH 118, and BIOL 106.
The total cost for that semester breaks down to $2,067 for tuition, $390 for technology fees, $52 for general college fees, and an additional $150 course fee for the biology class.
Altogether, that comes to a grand total of $2,659 for just one semester.
This doesn’t even include things like books, supplies, meals, or transportation.
Speaking of books and supplies, the college suggests budgeting around $2,400 per semester for these items.
You should also set aside about $3,100 for transportation and $1,300 for meals.
While these costs can vary depending on your lifestyle and program, it’s important to factor them into your budget so you don’t get caught off guard.
When it’s time to pay your tuition, the easiest way to do it is online through MyCCP.
You can make e-check payments for free, but if you’re using a credit or debit card, there’s a service fee of 2.75% for domestic cards or 4.25% for international ones.
You can also mail your payment or pay in person at the Main Campus Student Tuition Services office.
The college offers a tuition payment plan if you’re worried about paying everything at once.
It lets you break up your bill into smaller payments throughout the semester.
Enrolling in the plan requires a nonrefundable fee of $35, and you’ll need to make your first installment payment upfront.
Now, let’s talk about financial aid, which can be a big help for many students.
The college participates in several programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study Program, PA State Grant, William D. Ford Direct Student Loans, and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS).
To be eligible for these programs, you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every academic year.
The college’s school code for the FAFSA is 003249.
It’s important to be mindful of the deadlines: the Federal Pell Grant application is due by June 30, 2025; the PA State Grant deadline for renewals is May 1, 2024, and for new applicants, it’s August 1, 2024.
The SEOG and Federal Work-Study applications should be submitted by April 15, 2024.
If you’re accepting a Direct Loan, you’ll need to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and an entrance counseling session on www.studentaid.gov at least four weeks before the payment deadline.
One important thing to know is that dropping classes can affect your financial aid.
If you withdraw from a class before you’ve completed 60% of the semester, you might have to pay back some of the aid you received.
If you’ve already used federal aid to cover 30 credits of developmental coursework, you won’t be able to get aid for additional developmental classes.
That’s why it’s so important to understand how dropping a class can impact your aid.
For students who have served in the military, the college offers benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.
Veterans and their dependents qualify for in-city tuition rates, even if they live outside Philadelphia.
If you’re a veteran, make sure to submit a copy of your DD-214 form to the Veterans Resource Center so the college knows about your status.
In addition to financial aid, scholarships and awards are available through the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation.
These scholarships are often based on factors like academic achievement, community service, and leadership, and they can be used to cover tuition, books, or other expenses.
Ultimately, understanding all the costs and financial aid options at Community College of Philadelphia can make a huge difference in how you plan for college.
