Financial Aid » Future Students » Prospective Freshmen

Why Choose Grand Valley?

Value
In 2009-2010, 80 percent of Grand Valley's full-time dependent students received financial aid with an average award of $9,050 -- that's more than $200 million in total assistance, with more than $55 million of that in scholarships, grants, and employment. No matter how you finance your Grand Valley education, you can be sure you'll get more for your money than at almost any other university in Michigan.

Grand Valley State University has one of the most reasonable tuition rates in Michigan. Our rate of tuition change in the past six years is less than the national, Midwest, and state averages. In every year that Grand Valley has increased tuition, we have increased financial aid by at least the same amount. 

Service
Our Financial Aid Office is dedicated to helping you find every possible advantage when it comes to financing your Grand Valley education including scholarships, grants, loans, or campus employment.

Equity
Access is a core value at Grand Valley. For many students, financing a college education without any form of assistance would be impossible. Grand Valley understands that. Our goal is to fund as much of our students' financial need as possible regardless of their financial backgrounds.

Return On Investment
Grand Valley offers an excellent education at a reasonable cost. In fact, The Kaplan/Newsweek College Catalog rated Grand Valley best in two areas:

• Best Value for Tuition Dollar
• Responsive to Individual Student Financial Needs

Also, Grand Valley has been named one of "The 100 Best College Buys in the United States" for 14 years in a row, the only Michigan campus to receive this uninterrupted designation.

Friendliness
We understand that dealing with financial aid issues can be stressful. That's why we work hard to make sure we treat every student and situation with the dignity, respect, and attention it deserves. We want you to succeed and do everything possible to make sure you can.