Decoding Alvernia University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Tuition and Fees

Alvernia University, located in Reading, PA, offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program designed to prepare students for autonomous practice in the ever-evolving healthcare environment. Understanding the tuition structure, fees, and financial aid options is crucial for prospective students. This article breaks down the costs associated with the DPT program at Alvernia University, along with available resources to help manage these expenses.

Alvernia University: A Commitment to Graduate Education

The graduate school at Alvernia University is dedicated to fostering intellectual growth, professional skills, and ethical leadership. It provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment where graduate students can thrive and achieve their academic and career goals. The university emphasizes preparing students for real-world challenges through academic coursework, practical experiences, and field placements. Alvernia also focuses on ethical leadership and service to the community, encouraging students to engage in community service projects.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Overview

Alvernia's DPT curriculum is a comprehensive, clinically focused sequence of graduate-level coursework and experiential learning designed to build foundational scientific knowledge and advanced patient management skills required for physical therapy practice. The DPT program is offered in a 4+3 year curricular format or a 3+3 year accelerated format. Alvernia students who are admitted as undergraduate students into one of 3 majors (Biochemistry, Biology or Healthcare Science) begin the professional phase of the curriculum in their senior year.

Tuition and Fees for the DPT Program

Understanding the direct costs associated with the DPT program is essential for financial planning.

Tuition per Credit

The tuition for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program is \$1,090 per credit.

Read also: Alvernia University Profile

Comprehensive Fee

In addition to tuition, there is a DPT comprehensive fee, which is 4% for all Physical Therapy students.

Payment Schedule

All tuition and fees are payable by the due date in advance of each enrollment period. Students are billed each semester, and payment is due one month prior to the start of the semester. Payment must be received on or before that date. Students adding a course(s) during the add/drop period are required to obtain an invoice and settle any financial obligations at that time.

Payment Options

Payment may be made via Self-Service. Electronic payments from bank accounts (e-checks) can be made with no additional charge. Alvernia University also offers a tuition payment plan through CashNet, allowing students to pay all or part of their tuition on a monthly basis, interest-free, with a per semester enrollment fee.

Past Due Obligations

Students with outstanding obligations will not be permitted to pre-register for an upcoming semester unless financial arrangements have been made with the Office of Student Financial Services prior to pre-registration. Past due obligations include, but are not limited to, billing amounts past due for any semester, unpaid room damage charges, library materials, health center, athletics, or parking fines. Students are not permitted to register, receive a transcript, grade report, or diploma until past due obligations are paid. In addition, the university reserves the right to submit past due accounts to its collection agent. The return of a check for any reason constitutes non-payment.

Refunds

During the first week of classes (the add/drop period), a student may drop a course and receive full tuition credit if applicable. Any course-affiliated fees and/or comprehensive fees are adjusted accordingly. Students withdrawing from class(es) any time after the add/drop period are not entitled to a refund.

Read also: Alvernia Costs and Expenses

A student who voluntarily withdraws from the university must notify the appropriate individual of his/her intent to withdraw. Communication may be written or oral. Graduate students attending main campus and online graduate students should contact the School of Graduate and Adult Education. Students enrolled at Pottsville Collegetowne or the Philadelphia Center should contact their respective directors or designees. Students who withdraw or are approved for medical leave are entitled to tuition refunds in accordance with the refund schedule below. In the case of a financial aid recipient, the portion refunded may include monies that must be returned to Federal Title IV programs. The university uses the Title IV refund policy to determine the portion that must be repaid to the Title IV programs. Any refunds otherwise due to a withdrawing student will be reduced by such Title IV refunds. Students moving out of a university residence during a semester are not entitled to a refund of housing charges.

Potential for Changes

Alvernia University reserves the right to change tuition, fees and other charges from one academic semester to the next as deemed necessary to meet its financial commitments and to fulfill its role and mission.

Understanding Additional Costs

Beyond tuition and fees, students should also budget for other expenses.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

Each year, Student Financial Services (SFS) develops the student cost of attendance (COA), also called the student budget. This budget is used in conjunction with the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine each student’s maximum financial aid eligibility. The COA consists of fixed/direct charges including tuition, fees, housing and food and indirect/estimated charges including books and supplies, transportation costs and personal expenses.

Housing and Meal Plans

A housing deposit will be required of any non-residential students (commuter/off-campus) who wish to apply for housing at any point. Commuter/off-campus students who desire on-campus housing must first pay a \$300 housing deposit online at Self-Service/Finances/Payment Portal (www.alvernia.edu/logins) in order to complete a housing application in the Alvernia Residential Communities Portal. A commuter/off-campus student will be assigned housing only after room selection for current resident students is complete and pending space availability. In the event there is lack of room availability, housing deposits will be refunded.

All resident students must have a meal plan. Meal plan options for first-year students per year include:

19 Meals/week + 100 bonus dollars.
14 Meals/week plus 250 bonus dollars.

Meal plan options for upper class per year include:

19 Meals/week plus 100 bonus dollars.
14 Meals/week plus 250 bonus dollars.
150 Meals plus 200 bonus dollars.

Vern Bucks may be used to purchase food at any food service location on campus. In most cases, Vern Bucks do not expire. Bonus Dollars may be used to purchase food at any food service location on campus. Meal swipes can be used in the Student Center Cafeteria. Freshens and Courtside Cafe offer meal exchanges with select meal plans. All meals and bonus dollars expire at the end of each semester.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Alvernia University offers a variety of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, student employment and loan opportunities. Financial aid is designed to provide assistance to students whose personal and family resources cannot meet the full cost of education at Alvernia. The financial aid application process for the upcoming academic year begins each October.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Students applying for financial aid are required to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for all financial aid options except for selected merit or partnership scholarships. The FAFSA determines a family’s expected family contribution (EFC) based upon the data supplied on the form. After financial need is determined, an aid package to assist with that financial need is developed for each student. By submitting a FAFSA, a student is applying for all forms of institutional, state, and federal financial aid.

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships and Awards: Merit scholarships and awards are awarded to first-time accepted, full-time students enrolled in the day academic division, and do not have to be repaid. Students must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) to retain the scholarship/award, and they are renewable for up to four years (five years for Occupational Therapy and Athletic Training).
Alumni Discount: Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Alvernia and return to complete a second undergraduate degree in the day academic division are eligible to receive a 20% tuition discount, alumni who enroll in a graduate program are eligible to receive a 25% tuition discount, alumni who enroll in the PhD Leadership program are eligible to receive a 20% tuition discount, and Occupational Therapy Doctorate are eligible for a 10% tuition discount.
Catholic School Scholarship: This award is offered to first-time, full-time first-year undergraduates accepted in the day program who graduated from a Catholic high school.
Discount Partnerships: Students who are employed by or hold memberships with approved employers, organizations, or Alvernia University may be eligible for a tuition discount or a reduced tuition rate.
Endowment Awards: These awards are funded by outside donors and often have specific criteria that must be met in order to qualify for the funds. Students must be enrolled as a full-time day student in good academic standing and should demonstrate financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services through the completion of the FAFSA, unless otherwise noted by the award.

Applying for Financial Aid

Apply online for admission to Alvernia University, either via our AU online portal or The Common Application. We accept and process applications all year long, so as there is no deadline or ideal window to apply. As soon as you decide you may want to attend Alvernia, apply right away.
As soon as possible after October 1 of your senior year of high school, you and your family should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is done online. Be sure to list Alvernia University as one of the schools that will receive your information from the FAFSA. Our school code is 003233. Your information will be processed and forwarded to Alvernia within approximately two weeks of submission.
Apply for scholarships to enhance your financial aid options. Typically an application is needed for each scholarship you seek. High school guidance offices are a good resource to locate scholarships for which you may be eligible. Alvernia offers merit scholarships, so please be sure to research your eligibility for those as part of your scholarship search.
As you go through the process of completing the FAFSA, it is important that you respond immediately to any requests for information, such as copies or uploads of tax returns. It will detail loans, grants, scholarships, and any other benefits that may be applied to your educational costs.

Net Price Calculator

Alvernia University’s Net Price Calculator is designed to help you estimate your eligibility for financial aid and your out-of-pocket expenses. Results from the net price calculator will show you how affordable an Alvernia University education can be. Colleges and universities have different resources and financial aid policies, so your "net price" will vary from institution to institution.

Essential Functions and Program Outcomes

Students in the DPT program are expected to achieve entry-level performance in the management of patients/clients with diseases and conditions representative of those commonly see in practice across the lifespan, continuum of care, and in a variety of practice setting that are consistent with contemporary Physical Therapy practice.

Resources and Support

Student Financial Services (SFS)

Student Financial Services (SFS) is part of the Enrollment Management and Business Affairs teams organizationally. The team is comprised of financial aid and student account professionals who serve as part of your student services team. Student Accounts professionals work with student account receivables, invoices, collections, holds, and payments. Student Financial Aid professionals administer and disburse financial aid, package aid eligibility, reconcile funds with the Dept of Ed, and counsel students and families through the financial aid process.

Veterans Affairs

The Office of Student Financial Services welcomes all veterans, eligible dependents, members of the Guard and Reserves, and Active-Duty personnel to Alvernia University. Your Veterans Affairs, Federal, and state education benefits are part of your compensation for the time you devote to or spent serving your country. They are designed to help you afford a college education - an education that can be a valuable tool in building a successful future.

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