Financials

Currently, the working budget, for the entirety of your enrollment, is approximately $330,000.

I will not shy away from a higher number if it means getting more for your child.

Now the cool/good news...

It may end up being more because there are built-in budgeting strategies.

I've over calculated situations, not accounting for group discounts, and that some items will be amortized over a number of cohorts.

An example of an amortized situation.  You are the first, you are paying for that item, like the busses, in total.  Subsequent cohorts will be paying a number that contributes to the cost of said busses - therefore a credit or refund is predictable.

More than likely you will get a refund with your diploma.  There are even scenarios where you could receive refunds even after graduation. 

Deposit and Payments

Due upon your decision to enroll.  100% of year one - 50% of year two - 30% of year three

Second payment due November of first year.  The other half of year two, and 20% more of year three.

Third payment due November of second year.  The final 50% of year three.

We are not accepting Federal or State loans or grants. 

Our design and philosophies are not always aligned, and we refuse to settle for less.

Students who meet all the standards, excepting financial wherewithal are still encouraged to apply, in alignment with the scholarship qualities.

Keep this in mind: we will be fully funding 25% of our cohort participants, and additional funds to cover costs outside the program budget, like travel to and from orientations for candidate and family/support group

Proportionally, nary an institution has a higher percentage.

And a very sincere "hats off" to the handful of institutions that provide full funding for all students. 

Students are allowed to use any scholarships other than governmental.

Additionally, you may use personal loans or other forms of financial strategies.

We suggest you consult with a financial planner to determine what financial path is right for you.

The benefit is obvious.  

However, if you are unsure about your child's ability to complete the program, then you should be giving serious thought to that situation. 

Our yearly cost is higher, but our graduation cost – because of three years – is less than some of the top private and public institutions over a four year period (or longer for some students).

Investigate the usage of your money in their institution versus ours.

Here are some areas to consider: paying for food services (our students shop and cook for themselves), custodians and matrons to pick up after your kid, the Advising office as an example – you pay for director, assistant director, executive secretary, your advisor, and likely some retired personnel (our cohort leaders are catchalls and therefore you are getting multiple services for one staff cost), you are paying for a full security department, multitudes of managers and executives, classes you will never take, professors you will never meet, and activities you will never attend.

At the MAC the totality of your cost is almost entirely focused on the costs necessary for the here and now, for your child.

There are several types of refunds.

Two of these refund types are in the form of credits during enrollment, or as a refund upon graduation.

For those that withdraw or are expelled, some of the credits/refunds are possible.

The example of the busses aforementioned, you would receive the same type of refund as candidates that fulfilled the program.

Items or scenarios where your child's withdrawal would cause unnecessary burden on the rest of the cohort, refunds are a "definite no-no Daffy".

Okay, seriously, a graduation refund, this is one of the coolest things to be able to do.  Give your child a solid gold diploma and a refund check, come on - how amazing!

Wait for it....

Possible refunds after graduation too, cut it out - now that's DAWMAC!

We will be using the Federal Poverty Guidelines fiscal determinations.

The current thresholds....

Family of one $15,960

Family of two $21,640

Family of three $27,320

Family of four $33,000

Family of five $38,680

Whether these thresholds are rational or not is a discussion for another day, but they are what they are in determining services or benefits of such a situation.

We will be using these numbers as a condition of scholarship applicants.

The following is an explanation of why I am choosing one number over another number.  It might be screwy logic, but it's not too screwy.

One such benefit is the Federal Pell Grant program, free money.

They calculate the eligibility for the grant between 150% to 175% of the poverty guideline.

I feel the Pell Grant is the giving version of a regressive tax.

A family that is truly at the four person $33,000 income level should be able to receive a higher grant than a four person family income level of $57,000.

If you are going to have a family, you should understand the strong likelihood that you will need to help your child go to college.  Obviously, we could argue situations and conditions e.g. you would be doing it for two children.

However, a family of four saving 5%/year for a child, for 18 years, would have $51,300, which can buy a very decent education in and of itself.

Just another reason I don't want to accept Federal or State, loans or grants.

It is prudent to establish a financial stability plan for unexpected institutional costs.

While this may not be necessary during your enrollment, this is one of the line item costs that ensure the financial stability presently and moving forward, which protects against closing the school or otherwise impacting your graduation negatively.

All candidates, from all cohorts will pay this amount annually.