Low Tuition - High Value
Lake Michigan College has lower tuition than four-year schools, so you get more education for your money.
Lake Michigan College is among the lowest in tuition and fees compared to other area community colleges and universities. Contact the Business Office at (269) 927-8610 if you have questions about tuition and fees.
Police Academy Tuition - Summer 2025
Tuition for the Police academy is a flat fee based on either the student or the sponsor’s residency. Students currently employed by an agency that is sponsoring the student will be charged based on the residency of the agency. Students who are not currently employed by an agency and are self-pay are charged based on the student's residency. In-district residency includes all of Berrien County, Covert Township, South Haven ZIP code 49090, and Niles ZIP code 49120. All other areas are out of district residency.
In-district: $8700.00
Out of district: $9500.00
For more information on the Michigan Police Academies, see the program page.
Tuition by Contact Hour 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Residency |
2024-2025 Academic Year |
|---|---|
| In-district | $181.50 |
| Out-of-district | $258.50 |
| International | $356.00 |
| Senior Citizen Waiver Fee | $60.50 |
Tuition by Contact Hour Beginning Fall 2025 (2025-2026 Academic Year)
| Residency |
2025-2026 Academic Year |
|---|---|
| Domestic | $187.00 |
| International | $366.60 |
| Senior Citizen Waiver Fee | Free tuition, must pay any course fees |
Contact Hours
Lake Michigan College assigns contact hours for a course based on the total amount of weekly instructional time a student will receive in the course. This instructional time includes all types of instruction such as lecture, lab, etc. Contact hours may differ from credit hours for a course. See specific contact and credit hours for a class in the online class schedule.
Tuition Totals by Contact Hour - 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Contact Hours | In-District | Out-of-District | International | Senior Citizen Waiver Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $181.50 | $258.50 | $356.00 | $60.50 |
| 2 | $363.00 | $517.00 | $712.00 | $121.00 |
| 3 | $544.50 | $775.50 | $1,068.00 | $181.50 |
| 4 | $726.00 | $1,034.00 | $1,424.00 | $242.00 |
| 5 | $907.50 | $1,292.50 | $1,780.00 | $302.50 |
| 6 | $1,089.00 | $1,551.00 | $2,136.00 | $363.00 |
| 7 | $1,270.50 | $1,809.50 | $2,492.00 | $423.50 |
| 8 | $1,452.00 | $2,068.00 | $2,848.00 | $484.00 |
| 9 | $1,633.50 | $2,326.50 | $3,204.00 | $544.50 |
| 10 | $1,815.00 | $2,585.00 | $3,560.00 | $605.00 |
| 11 | $1,996.50 | $2,843.50 | $3,916.00 | $665.50 |
| 12 | $2,178.00 | $3,102.00 | $4,272.00 | $726.00 |
| 13 | $2,359.50 | $3,360.50 | $4,628.00 | $786.50 |
| 14 | $2,541.00 | $3,619.00 | $4,984.00 | $847.00 |
| 15 | $2,722.50 | $3,877.50 | $5,340.00 | $907.50 |
| 16 | $2,904.00 | $4,136.00 | $5,696.00 | $968.00 |
| 17 | $3,805.50 | $4,394.50 | $6,052.00 | $1,028.50 |
| 18 | $3,267.00 | $4,653.00 | $6,408.00 | $1,089.00 |
Tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees once per year based on the prior year’s annual Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. See the Tuition and Fee Approval policy for more information.
Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.
Flex Pay through Nelnet payment plans is a low-cost way to spread your tuition and fee payments out over time.
- Payments are automatically deducted from your checking account or your MasterCard, Discover Card or American Express.
- Flex Pay is not a loan program so you won’t have interest or finance charges, and there is no credit check.
- There is a $25-per-semester, non-refundable enrollment fee.
- A small convenience fee is charged for credit card payments.
- Payments are processed on the 5th of each month and continue until the balance is paid in full.
- There is a $30 fee if a payment is returned for insufficient funds.
- You must sign up each semester that you want to use the program.
FLEX PAY OPTIONS
There are two Flex Pay options. Your financial aid status at the time you register for classes determines which Flex Pay program you will be placed into.
1. Flex Pay for those without financial aid.
If you do not pay in full at the time you register for classes, and you do not receive financial aid including scholarships, grants and loans, you will be placed into the traditional Flex Pay plan. The amount of the down payment you must make will be determined by the date you enroll in the program. The earlier you enroll, the smaller the down payment is. Flex Pay enrollment deadlines are listed in the chart on this page.
2. Flex Pay – Pending Aid are for a Chapter 33 veteran.
Flex Pay – Pending Aid is similar to the traditional Flex Pay Program. One difference is that your payment plan will only be activated if a tuition and fee balance remains after all of your financial aid and VA benefits are applied. Another difference is how the monthly payment plan is structured. Only if Flex Pay - Pending Aid is activated due to an outstanding balance will Flex Pay fees be charged.
HOW TO ENROLL IN FLEX PAY
To be enrolled in Flex Pay – Pending Aid, you must:
- Complete the FAFSA, or be a Chapter 33 veteran
- Receive an estimated financial aid award package from LMC before you register for classes, and
- Have a checking account or credit card. (Visa not accepted) Note: It can take 3 – 4 weeks after you submit the FAFSA until the time you receive your estimated financial aid award package. If you anticipate receiving financial aid and want to utilize Flex Pay – Pending Aid, you will need to wait until your estimated financial aid award package is complete to register for classes. How to Enroll in Flex Pay
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If you wish to use Flex Pay, you must re-enroll each semester at the time of registration through Nelnet Payment Plans.
Please have the following information available:
1. LMC student ID number
2. Name, address and email of person responsible for making payments
3. Account information for the person responsible for payment. - By automatic withdrawal from your checking account - have the bank name, telephone number, account number and bank routing number available.
- By credit card - have the credit card number and expiration date available.
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NOTE: Students who have previously defaulted on the Flex Pay/FACTS/ e-Cashier/Nelnet program are not eligible to participate.
Some courses may include a flat fee for lab or other materials, supplies, technology access or other course related items. Course fee amounts can be found in the course schedule.
Delinquency/Collection Fee
A 33% of total balance delinquency/collection fee will be added to all account balances not paid by the due date on the final notice.
Experiential Fee
The experiential fee is for students who, through work experience and demonstration of their knowledge, place out of classes. If you substitute work experience for a class this way and have the credits applied toward your transcript, a fee of $50 will be charged for each course.
See the Tuition and Refund Policy.
Tuition refunds are processed through the Business Office.
Credit Hour Limit
No student may take more than 18 credit hours without written permission from the dean of the student's program of study. Permission may be granted in those instances where students have a 3.00 (B) cumulative GPA or better.
Full-Time Status
A student must be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours to be designated as a full-time student. Contact hours cannot be used to calculate a student's status.
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