Tuition, Fees, & Financial Assistance

Biological Station tuition is assessed by the University of Michigan according to the half-term tuition rates set by the Board of Regents of the University and is subject to change. Tuition is based on College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) rates, and may vary if students are enrolled in another U-M school or college. Guest students pay "upper division" tuition. Student fees for all students will be invoiced by University of Michigan Student Accounts.

UMBS will apply a $140 administrative/facilities fee to any student who withdraws their UMBS application less than 3 weeks before the term starts. Students who need to withdraw from courses are required to notify UMBS staff at umbs@umich.edu. Dropping courses in Wolverine Access or through the Registrar’s Office does not count as notifying UMBS staff.

Tuition Rates
Tuition rates are based on 6 credits using the U-M Registrar's listing for LSA/Rackham students. Tuition rates for other schools may differ slightly and can be confirmed with the official schedule at the Office of the Registrar. NOTE: Rates will be available during winter term.

Room & Board
The room and board fee for both undergraduate and graduate students for 2025 is $1,512 per term. This covers housing and dining fees.

U-M Ann Arbor students should apply for the following:

1. U-M Office of Financial Aid
   NOTE: Students who already receive fall/winter assistance through the U-M Office of Financial Aid will receive an official spring/summer aid notice within a week of registration for spring/summer courses.
2. LSA Spring/Summer Scholarship if a LSA student (Deadline: March 22)
3. PitE Practical Experience Scholarships if a PitE student

Guest students may be asked to provide financial aid award details from their home institution to be considered for UMBS scholarships.

The course application for UMBS includes the scholarship application.

UMBS awards are meant to complement other support and may cover only a portion of the expenses. Guest students may be eligible for aid from their home institutions and should check with their own financial aid offices.

Before a student can be considered for UMBS funding:

• U-M Ann Arbor students must be registered for UMBS courses (processed by UMBS staff) and have received spring/summer award notices from the U-M Office of Financial Aid.
• Guest students must be registered for UMBS courses (processed by UMBS staff) and have provided financial aid award details from their home institution to UMBS if requested.

The timeline for UMBS scholarship award notification depends on several factors, including the timing of undergraduate registration and financial aid awards by U-M Office of Financial Aid.

• March 15, 2025: UMBS course applications due for priority scholarship funding
  
• April 7, 2025: U-M registration begins for undergraduates (by appointment)
  
• Mid to Late April 2025: U-M Office of Financial Aid processes spring/summer awards
  
• Late April 2025: UMBS begins scholarship award notifications
  

NOTE: Students do not apply to specific scholarships. The list below includes examples of the scholarships available.

Dr. Elzada Clover and Dr. Lois Jotter Cutter Student Scholarship
Undergraduate student financial support for spring or summer term.

Cathy Bach and Brian Hazlett Student Research Fund
Provides need-based undergraduate student research support in behavior and ecology, allowing them to conduct independent research with a faculty member while enrolled concurrently in one summer session field class at UMBS.

Howard A. Crum Student Scholarship
Scholarship support students studying at UMBS.

Douglas Lake Improvement Association Scholarship
A competitive scholarship to partially support a student who is a resident of Northern Michigan to attend the spring or summer session. Supported by the members of the Douglas Lake Improvement Association.

Frank Caleb & Margaret Thompson Gates Student Scholarship
Several annual awards to assist UMBS students.

Marian P. and David M. Gates Scholarship for Non-Residents
Award to assist out-of-state students who plan to study at UMBS.

Istock Family Scholarship
Scholarships for UMBS students with financial need.

Lowe Family First Summer Student Scholarship
Award to students spending their first summer at the Biological Station.

George E. Nichols Undergradute Scholarship
Support for out-of-state or international undergraduate students in LSA who are studying at UMBS.

James L. Plafkin Memorial Scholarship
An annual need-based award to a student who is studying aquatic ecology.

Schrank Family Scholarship
One award annually alternating for student in LSA or Program in the Environment (PitE).

Fred and Avery Test Scholarship
Support for UMBS students with financial need.

Dr. Edward G. Voss Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship support for undergraduate students to attend UMBS with a preference for students interested in botany or entomology.

Gary and Gussie Williams Scholarship
Scholarship for a student who is teaching science or pursuing a degree in science education.

UMBS Returning Student Award
Awards to returning students who are in their second or subsequent summer at the Biological Station. Funded by alumni and friends of UMBS.

Knute Nadelhoffer and Barbara Billings Biological Station Scholarship Fund
Scholarship for students studying at UMBS.

In Gratitude Scholarship
Support for graduate students pursuing research or taking UMBS courses.

Winder Family Scholarship
Support for undergraduate or graduate students with financial need.

Rebar Family Bug Camp Scholarship Fund
Funding for upper-level undergraduate or graduate students with financial need. Preference given to Environmental Studies majors.