Fees, Tuition, and Expenses
The costs to participate in the UGA IFP are explained below.
See our cost comparison table to compare the IFP to a regular semester on UGA campus.
IFP Program Deposit: $150 due once you are accepted and commit to participate in the program.
IFP Program Fee: The fee in 2025 is anticipated to be around $6,000. The exact amount is TBD. The program fee covers all transportation, meals (except for days off in town – about 7 days during the trip), camping fees, park/museum entrance fees, and instructional materials (there are no textbooks to buy).
UGA Tuition: This amount can vary depending on the number of hours you sign up for. For summer semester, UGA charges per credit hour, up to 15 hours, not a flat rate. Check with the Bursar’s Office for current tuition and fee schedules. Non-residents of Georgia participating in the IFP pay tuition at the in-state rate! HOPE and Zell Miller scholarship funds will apply normally, as with any semester on campus.
UGA Mandatory Fees: These include the Technology, Connect UGA, and Green fees. We expect these fees to total about $100. Other UGA fees normally required for classes on campus (such as Health and Transportation fees) can be waived. Check with the Bursar’s Office for current tuition and fee schedules.
Pre-trip expenses: Students must provide some basic camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad)* and outdoor clothing/footwear for a wide range of temperatures and conditions. See our full list of required and recommended gear. Most students have to purchase at least some equipment and clothing prior to the IFP. Many items can be borrowed or bought used to save on trip expenses. *IFP provides individual tents, sleeping bags, and pads for students to borrow for the summer. This is an option if you do not want to acquire your own.
Living expenses during the trip: There is very little need to spend money during the trip. There is about one day off per week in which students purchase their own meals in town (about 7 days total during the trip). We make occasional shopping stops for students to replace toiletries and other supplies, as necessary. Laundry facilities and some campground showers are coin-operated. All other expenses are covered.
Unnecessary expenses during the trip: We make frequent stops at gas stations/convenience stores. Students can spend a lot of money over the 8 weeks buying drinks and snacks during these stops. We provide plenty of healthy food each day, so these extras are not necessary. There are also many, many opportunities to buy souvenirs from the places we visit. Restraint and careful selection of purchases is key to keeping unnecessary trip expenses low.
Cost Comparison
The IFP can cost even less than a semester on campus. See a comparison chart below, based on typical UGA cost of attendance for a Georgia resident. HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships apply to IFP tuition the same as a regular semester on campus.
| Expense | IFP 2024 Semester | 2023-24 Semester on Campus |
|---|---|---|
| IFP Deposit | $150 | n/a |
| IFP Program Fee | $5,000 | n/a |
| UGA Tuition | $4,895 | $4,895 |
| UGA Fees | $98 | $695 |
| Housing | $0* | $3,405 |
| Food | $0* | $2,047 |
| Books and Supplies | $0* | $444 |
| Transportation | $0* | $639 |
| Living Expenses | $350** | $1,646 |
| Total | $10,493 | $13,771 |
*All covered by the IFP Program Fee. There are no textbooks to buy.
**IFP living expenses include the necessary expenses during the trip: meals for about 7 days off in town and replacing toiletries as needed. Not included are pre-trip expenses to acquire gear and clothing. Outfitting yourself can be done inexpensively by borrowing gear or buying used. See above for these expenses outlined, and see our list of required and recommended gear.