Family Profiles
While we can provide general numbers and averages, these profiles reflecting the total costs for the 2026-2027 school year illustrate how every family situation is unique when considering financial aid. Learn more about Estimating Costs.
The U-M Net Price Calculator offers an individualized estimate of your financial aid.
This entering first-year student is enrolled in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. The student lives with their parents and younger sibling.
Lives In: Bay County, MI
Family Size: 4
Income: $79,900
Savings/Assets: $4,000
Financial Aid
Scholarship #1: $500
Scholarship #2: $8,000
Federal and State Grants: $14,395
U-M Institutional Grants: $18,482
Total Aid: $41,377
This third-year transfer student is studying Kinesiology.
Lives In: Grand Rapids, MI
Family Size: 2
Income: $56,790
Savings/Assets (Including Home Equity): $35,000
Financial Aid
Federal and State Grants: $12,895
Go Blue Guarantee Grant: $15,435
U-M Institutional Grants: $13,298
Federal Work-Study: $2,500
Total Aid: $44,128
This second-year student is enrolled in the College of Engineering and has a younger sibling entering college this year.
Lives In: Ingham County, MI
Family Size: 4
Income: $119,830
Savings/Assets (Including Home Equity): $112,095
Financial Aid
Go Blue Guarantee Grant: $20,202
Federal/State Grants: $5,500
Federal Work-Study: $3,797
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan*: $6,500
Total Aid: $35,999
*Loan assists with Student Aid Index.
This third-year student is pursuing a bachelor's degree in neuroscience and receives Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits that were transferred from a parent.
Lives In: Metro Detroit
Family Size: 6
Income: $219,000
Savings/Assets: $89,675
Financial Aid
U-M Institutional Grants: $14,432
Federal/State Grants: $5,500
Federal Work-Study: $4,000
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan*: $184
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan*: $7,316
Private Educational Loan**: $11,134
Total Aid: $42,566
*Loan assists with Student Aid Index.
**The private educational loan is not offered by the University of Michigan. If a family chooses to borrow a private loan, the resource will contribute to covering educational costs.
Veteran education benefits may be used to assist with paying education costs but are not part of the financial aid total.
An entering first-year student will be enrolling in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, but is undecided about their degree program.
Lives In: Chicago, IL
- Family Size: 2
- Income: $138,960
- Savings/Assets: $2,980
Financial Aid
Federal/State Grants: $740
U-M Institutional Grants: $36,706
Federal Work-Study: $4,000
Federal Subsidized Direct Loan: $3,500
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan*: $2,000
Federal PLUS Direct Loan (parent)**: $20,000
Total Aid: $66,946
*Loan assists with Student Aid Index.
**The parent PLUS Loan requires an additional parent application with the U.S. Department of Education. Beginning in 2026-2027, PLUS is limited to $20,000 a year on behalf of a student. If a family chooses to borrow a PLUS loan, the resource will contribute to covering educational costs.
Private educational loans will also help with unmet educational expenses. Families may choose to borrow a private loan to supplement other aid offered.