The shop I DM at tells students up front the total cost. Course with crew pack is $350. We recommend you buy at least low dive boots. The gear is free to use during the certification process. We do recommend that the student buy at least low boots because the fins are all open heel and the checkout dives are done from shore. We also inform students that we will be traveling for the check out dives and give them a flyer with the motels that are available where we do the check out dives.