Navigating Tuition and Financial Aid at the University of Arizona Global Campus
Financing a college education is a significant undertaking, and the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) offers a variety of resources to help students manage tuition costs and explore financial aid options. UAGC understands that earning your online degree is also a financial investment, and understanding your college tuition costs and options to pay for school are important. This article provides a comprehensive overview of UAGC's tuition structure, available financial aid programs, and payment options, empowering students to make informed decisions about funding their education.
Understanding UAGC Tuition and Fees
Before enrolling in any degree program, it's crucial to understand the exact costs involved. UAGC's tuition and fees vary depending on the degree level and, in some cases, the field of study. The university provides estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) budgets to help students anticipate the total expenses they might incur per academic year. These budgets assume a full academic workload with no breaks in attendance.
Components of the Cost of Attendance
The COA is divided into two main categories: direct costs and indirect costs.
Direct Costs:
- Tuition: The primary cost of enrollment, varying by degree program.
- Technology Fee: This fee covers access to university systems such as the online classroom, the Student Portal, and other academic resources. The Technology Fee is fully refundable if a student does not attend beyond Day 3 of a course (Week 3 if covered under the University of Arizona Global Campus Promise Refund Schedule). After this time, the fee becomes non-refundable. Students are charged the Technology Fee for repeated coursework.
- Books and Supplies: An estimated average cost for books, supplies, and technology-related expenses. The Course Digital Materials (CDM) fee is fully refundable if a student does not attend beyond Day 3 of a course (Week 3 if covered under the University of Arizona Global Campus Promise Refund Schedule). After this time, the fee becomes non-refundable. Students are not charged the CDM fee for repeated coursework if previously charged.
- In-Residence Fees: Applicable to Doctoral students only, covering administrative support for In-Residence workshops.
- Dissertation/Applied Doctoral Project Support: Also for Doctoral students, covering support for the Dissertation/Applied Doctoral Project process.
Indirect Costs:
- Food & Housing: Living expenses such as meals, rent, or mortgage payments.
- Transportation: Costs associated with transportation related to educational activities.
- Personal Expenses: Miscellaneous expenses not explicitly mentioned in other categories.
- Loan Fees: Fees charged by a lender or deducted from a disbursement if a student chooses to borrow student loans.
Tuition and Fee Examples
To illustrate the cost structure, here are some examples of UAGC's estimated costs of attendance per academic year:
Undergraduate Programs
| Component | Housing - With Parent | Housing - Off Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $11,040 | $11,040 |
| Technology Fee | $920 | $920 |
| Books | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Supplies | $150 | $150 |
| Food & Housing | $4,936 | $14,653 |
| Transportation | $500 | $500 |
| Personal Expenses | $6,648 | $9,497 |
| Loan Fees* | $150 | $150 |
| TOTAL | $24,804 | $37,910 |
*Loan fees will vary by amounts borrowed by the student. UAGC is providing estimates only.
Read also: Learn About UAGC's Grant
Master’s Programs
| Component | Housing - With Parent | Housing - Off Campus | Programs at $740/credit | Programs at $600/credit | Programs at $740/credit | Programs at $600/credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,320 | $10,800 | $13,320 | $10,800 | ||
| Technology Fee | $870 | $870 | $870 | $870 | ||
| Books | $930 | $930 | $930 | $930 | ||
| Supplies | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 | ||
| Food & Housing | $3,907 | $3,907 | $13,205 | $13,205 | ||
| Transportation | $500 | $500 | $500 | $500 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $5,909 | $5,909 | $8,442 | $8,442 | ||
| Loan Fees* | $350 | $350 | $350 | $350 | ||
| TOTAL | $25,937 | $23,417 | $37,587 | $35,067 |
*Loan fees will vary by amounts borrowed by the student. UAGC is providing estimates only.
Doctoral Programs (Dissertation/Applied Doctoral Project Phase)
| Component | With Parent | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,248 | $3,248 |
| Technology Fee | $580 | $580 |
| Books | $620 | $620 |
| Supplies | $150 | $150 |
| Food & Housing | $3,907 | $13,025 |
| Transportation | $500 | $500 |
| Personal Expenses | $5,909 | $8,442 |
| Loan Fees* | $350 | $350 |
| Dissertation/Applied Doctoral Project Support | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| TOTAL | $17,265 | $28,915 |
*Loan fees will vary by amounts borrowed by the student. UAGC is providing estimates only.
Military Tuition and Fees
UAGC is committed to serving military students and offers special tuition rates and fee waivers. The university provides one of the lowest tuition rates available online and allows students to use multiple military education benefits.
Here's a summary of military tuition and fees:
- Undergraduate Tuition (Liberty Grant): $250 per credit (a savings of $210 per credit).
- Master’s Tuition (Liberty Grant): $350 per credit (savings of $250-$390 per credit).
- Undergraduate Tuition (Patriot Grant): $450 per credit (savings of $10 per credit).
- Master’s Tuition (Patriot Grant): $600-$740 per credit.
- Doctoral Tuition (Liberty & Patriot Grant): $812 per credit.
- Technology Fee (Liberty Grant): Waived ($115 per course savings for undergraduate students and $145 per course savings for master’s and doctoral students).
- Technology Fee (Patriot Grant): $115 per course for undergraduate programs and $145 per course for master’s and doctoral programs.
- Books, course digital materials, and instructional materials: Waived (average savings of $125 per course for Undergraduate Programs, and $155 savings for Master's and Doctoral Programs).
- Graduation Fee: Waived ($150 savings for Undergraduate and Master’s Programs, $500 savings for Doctoral Programs).
In addition to these savings, UAGC also offers resources and support specifically tailored to military students, helping them navigate their educational benefits and achieve their academic goals.
Read also: Accessing the UAGC Student Portal
Exploring Financial Aid Options
Financial aid encompasses any resource that assists students with paying for college expenses. At UAGC, students can apply for loans and grants (if applicable). Grants and scholarships are types of aid that do not need to be repaid unless you are unable to meet the terms of the grant. Your eligibility for grants and scholarships will always be considered first before any eligible loans, and you're encouraged to accept any grants and scholarships that you are offered.
UAGC provides a convenient online process for completing your financial aid. This process includes all required financial aid forms, options for electronically signing your application, and links to complete any additional documents. Financial aid applicants must provide the University of Arizona Global Campus with all documents required to complete the verification and certification of federal financial aid funds. All core financial aid documents - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), Direct Loan Master Promissory Note, and Entrance Loan Counseling - must be on file with UAGC by 11:59 pm MT (Mountain Time Zone) the Wednesday prior to the student’s scheduled start date.
Federal Aid Programs
UAGC participates in several federal financial aid programs, including:
- Federal Pell Grants: Awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree and have financial need. The amount a student receives depends on the Student Aid Index (SAI), cost of attendance, and enrollment status. When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your eligibility for a Pell Grant is automatically determined. Department of Education uses a standard formula to evaluate your Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): Awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need, with priority given to Pell Grant recipients. The amount a student receives depends on the level of need, the amount of available FSEOG funding at the institution, and the policies of the financial aid department at the school.
- Federal Direct Loans: These loans come in two main categories: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are need-based, while unsubsidized loans are not. Students generally begin repaying these low-interest loans six months after graduation or following withdrawal from school. Department of Education acts as the lender; loan is federally insured. With subsidized loans, the federal government pays interest on the loan while the student is in school and during deferment periods. With unsubsidized loans, the federal government does not pay interest on the loan. Interest begins to accrue as of the date of the first disbursement of the loan.
- Direct PLUS Loans: Available to parents of dependent undergraduate students (Parent PLUS Loans) and to graduate/professional students (Grad PLUS Loans). These loans require a credit check and have different repayment terms. PLUS for graduate/professional students allows graduate/professional students to borrow a PLUS loan up to cost of attendance (COA) minus other aid. There is no grace period for a Grad PLUS loan and interest accrues on the loan from the point of disbursement. Repayment begins on the date of the last disbursement of the loan, however, while enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis, you are eligible for an in-school deferment that allows you to postpone payments on your Grad PLUS Loan until you graduate or separate from school.
Additional Grant Programs
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: This grant is available to students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan following the events of September 11, 2001.
Applying for Federal Aid: The FAFSA
To access federal financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.gov. The FAFSA collects financial information from the student and their family (if the student is a dependent) to determine their eligibility for federal aid programs. UAGC's federal school code is needed to ensure that UAGC receives your FAFSA results.
It's crucial to fill out the FAFSA accurately and submit it by the designated deadlines. The Department of Education requires that you complete a new FAFSA for financial aid each award year. Fortunately, many of the initial documents you fill out will remain on file and will not have to be filled out again. On occasion however, additional documents may be required from you. In this event, an Accounts Receivable Specialist will contact and advise you as to what needs to be completed. It is imperative that you reapply for future loans or grants early to ensure that your courses are not interrupted. If reapplication is not completed in a timely manner, you will no longer qualify for a financial aid deferment, and you will be required to comply with the terms and conditions of another payment option. For more information related to these payment options, please refer to the the University of Arizona Global Campus Academic Catalog.
Read also: Tuition at Loyola University Maryland
Avoiding Financial Aid Scams
The Department of Education offers these tips to help students applying for financial aid learn how to avoid fraud and identity theft. Be wary of companies that charge for financial aid advice, as this information is available for free from UAGC's financial aid office and the Federal Student Aid Information Center. Never give personal information over the phone or Internet unless you made the contact. If you have questions about an offer of aid or about your student loan account, ask your college or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center.
Other Payment Options at UAGC
In addition to financial aid, UAGC offers several other payment options to help students manage their tuition costs:
- Cash Pay: Payment is due on or before the start of each course.
- Credit Card Payments: UAGC accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express credit card payments. Payments can be made online through the Student Portal.
- Military Tuition Assistance (TA): Active duty, drilling reservists, and National Guard members may be eligible to receive Tuition Assistance (TA). Contact your Education Service Officer (ESO) for details. TA vouchers are due prior to the start of each class.
- Military Veterans Benefits: Tuition payment is deferred for the first 60 days of your program.
- Tuition Reimbursement: If your employer offers tuition reimbursement, you can select this as a payment option. Tuition and any applicable fees are deferred a maximum of 60 days after each course start date, regardless of when you receive payment from your employer.
- Direct Bill: A qualified third party pays for your tuition.
- Tuition Grants: When combined with an approved company's tuition assistance program, tuition grants let eligible students earn their degree tuition free.
- Employee Tuition Savings: Pairs with an approved employers’ tuition reimbursement plan with an accompanying grant to cover 100% of tuition.
- Shared Tuition Savings: Establishes a flat annual tuition cost and is funded by you and UAGC. You can utilize your company’s tuition reimbursement dollars to offset the total annual cost.
Important Considerations
- Responsible Borrowing: The University of Arizona Global Campus encourages its students to borrow responsibly. When reviewing the costs of attendance budgets, students are strongly encouraged to borrow only what they need.
- Continuous Attendance: Continuous attendance with no breaks greater than 14 calendar days is required to retain disbursed federal financial aid funds unless you are on an officially approved break from the University.
- Satisfactory Academic Progress: In order to remain eligible for subsequent federal funding, you must maintain good academic standing in your program and make satisfactory progress toward the degree sought.
- Repayment Options: Standard grace and repayment periods for federal loans vary. There is a one-time six month grace period which begins either after you graduate or drop below half-time status, whichever is earlier. Interest payments are due on the Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans during this period unless you chose to postpone the payments when you originally completed their application. If you cannot afford to make your monthly student loan payment, or if you need to reduce your payment, you can choose an alternative repayment plan such as income sensitive, graduated, extended, or loan consolidation. Another option would be for you to apply for either a loan deferment or forbearance, as both would allow for a period of time during which no loan payments would be required.
- Withdrawal Policy: The law specifies how the University must determine the amount of federal financial aid that you earn if you withdraw from school, either through an official withdrawal process or unofficially. When you withdraw during your payment period, the amount of funds that you have earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. If you received (or your school or parent received on your behalf) less assistance than the amount that you earned, you may be able to receive those additional funds. If you received more assistance than you earned, the excess funds must be returned by the school and/or you.
UAGC Promise
As a first-time degree-seeking student at the University of Arizona Global Campus, you qualify to be admitted under the University of Arizona Global Campus Promise. This conditional admission policy allows you to attend up to three weeks of your first course with no financial obligation. During this period, the University of Arizona Global Campus will assess whether you meet the basic academic requirement to be successful at our institution. You also have the opportunity to assess whether or not the University of Arizona Global Campus is the right fit for you.
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