Eastern Michigan University Board of Directors approves $317 million general fund operating budget for 2024-25

YPSILANTI — The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents today (June 20) approved a 2024-25 general fund operating budget of $317 million. Revenues include $220 million in tuition and fees, $86.4 million in state appropriations, $4.7 million in investment income and $5.1 million in other revenue sources. Expenses include $155.9 million in personnel costs, $63.1 million in university-sponsored financial aid, a net transfer budget of $53.9 million and $44.1 million in services, supplies and materials and other expenses.

The university offers financial aid to about 68% of its undergraduates and about 90% of freshmen. This includes the university’s Eastern Tuition Advantage Scholarship, which provides free tuition to freshmen with a 3.0 grade point average and an annual household income of less than $60,000. Qualified students can receive free tuition for four years as long as they continue to meet family financial requirements and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application each year. Eastern is one of the first universities in Michigan to offer free tuition to high-achieving students with financial need.

There are several other scholarships available, including the Presidential Scholarship, which covers full tuition and room and board, and the 4WARD Graduation Scholarship, which covers full tuition in the third and fourth years for students who live in an on-campus community for all four years. Visit the university’s scholarship page to learn more about the various financial aid options available to freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students.

“Financial challenges affect all students,” said James Smith, president of Eastern Michigan University. “As the needs of our students and families grow, we must continue to support them. As the top-ranked university in Michigan for social mobility, we pride ourselves on our mission as an institution of opportunity, and our commitment to financial aid reflects this priority.

“We are also dedicating more resources than ever to modernizing academic facilities and student support initiatives. This August, we are celebrating the completion of the $200 million Welcome Home plan – including the opening of two new campus apartment buildings, Lakeview and Westview. Welcome Home also includes the renovation of nearly every other residence hall on campus with air conditioning, state-of-the-art Wi-Fi and modern gathering spaces. Other campus upgrades in recent years include a new engineering and technology campus, a science complex and recreation and academic facilities. The transformation taking place on Eastern’s campus is dramatic.”

According to the budget, tuition for undergraduate students taking 30 credits will increase by $730 (4.5%). (Under Eastern’s block tuition model, undergraduate students pay the same tuition and fees when taking 12-16 credits per semester.) Tuition for doctoral and graduate programs will increase by 3%.

If the assumptions used to develop the general budget change when the State of Michigan budget is approved by the Legislature, tuition and fees may be adjusted to maintain a balanced budget. Any increase in tuition and fees will not exceed a tuition cap established by the State of Michigan.

Since 1980, government grants as part of EMU’s general budget have declined dramatically. In 1980, government grants accounted for 72% of the university’s revenues, while tuition fees accounted for only 28%. These percentages are now reversed.

Rising costs for employee salaries, increased prices for goods and services, and ongoing investments in campus safety, mental health resources and academic support services are included in the increase.

The University Council also approved an auxiliary fund operating expenditure budget totaling $83 million for 2024-25. Auxiliary activities include operating expenses for housing, meals and athletics, as well as costs for other services.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. More than 13,000 students currently study at the university pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professional fields. In total, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are offered in the university’s schools of arts and sciences, business, education, engineering and technology, health and human services, and the graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information, visit the university’s websites with its rankings and concentrations. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the university’s website. To stay up to date on university news, activities, and announcements, visit EMU Today.