Navigating Scholarships at the University of Arizona Global Campus
Most college students don't end up paying the full advertised price of tuition. Instead, they receive financial aid packages that combine scholarships, grants, loans, and sometimes work-study opportunities. The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) offers various financial aid options to help students fund their education. The amount of financial assistance and scholarships or grants one can get varies based on individual circumstances.
Financial Aid for First-Year Students
The standard financial aid package for new first-year students at UAGC is $11,418. Approximately 84% of first-year students receive some form of financial aid, with the majority of it coming in the form of loans.
It's important to distinguish between financial aid and true "college discounts." Financial aid helps lower the overall cost, or the "sticker" price, of the institution. However, scholarships and grants are the only real discounts, as they don't require repayment.
While student loans can be a part of the financial aid package, it's helpful to consider loan debt as an "outcome" rather than "aid."
Scholarships and Grants at UAGC
UAGC provides grants and scholarships. Approximately 25% of new students (144 total) were awarded scholarships, averaging $4,412 each. In addition to scholarships, 64% of first-year students (366 total) received a federal grant, averaging $4,417 per person.
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Grants are typically based on financial need, while scholarships are usually based on merit or ability.
Scholarships & Grants for All Students
86% of the 28,701 undergraduates at UAGC receive some sort of grant aid, averaging $6,217.
Financial Aid by Income Level
The amount of scholarship and grant aid students can expect often depends on their family income. The following table illustrates the average assistance freshmen receive based on income level, specifically focusing on federal Title IV assistance, which includes PLUS loans:
| Income Level | Percent of Freshmen | Average Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Income 0-30k | 59.2% | $4,689 |
| Income 30k-48k | 6.2% | $3,974 |
| Income 48k-75k | 3.0% | $2,285 |
| Income 75k-110k | 1.1% | $1,387 |
| Income 110k + | 0.2% | $285 |
Title IV aid includes grants, loans, or work-study provided by the federal government, typically determined by financial need.
UAGC Scholarship Programs and Partnerships
UAGC actively partners with other institutions to expand scholarship opportunities.
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Rio Salado College Partnership
UAGC launched a scholarship program in partnership with Rio Salado College, offering six Rio Salado College scholars a full-ride scholarship to pursue a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree at UAGC. The transfer partnership between UAGC and Rio Salado began. The application was available to local and national Rio Salado alumni, current students completing an associate degree, staff, and faculty.
Rio Salado College President Kate Smith expressed gratitude for the scholarship opportunity, noting the potential life-changing impact on scholars and their communities. There are no restrictions on the types of degree programs scholarship recipients can pursue, ranging from AAS Accounting to BA in Accounting to AAS Organizational Management to BA in Organizational Management.
Temple College Partnership
UAGC launched a new scholarship program providing an opportunity for six Temple College scholars to receive a full-program scholarship to pursue a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree at UAGC. Four UAGC full-program scholarships are for Temple College Alumni, and two UAGC full-program scholarships are for Temple College Faculty and Staff.
Temple College President Christy Ponce noted the life-changing impact of the scholarships on the scholars and their families. Alumni scholarship recipients can pursue bachelor's degree programs, while faculty and staff may pursue bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees. UAGC has 50+ programs, including seamless transfer pathways with Temple College, which give students an opportunity to earn up to 90-credit hours at community college tuition rates on programs such as Tech Degrees to BS in Computer Software Technology and Tech Degrees to BS in Information Technology.
Any applicants not selected for a UAGC-Temple College Partnership Scholarship may be eligible to save up to $6,450 per year on tuition towards a bachelor's degree through the UAGC - Temple College Academic Partnership. Substantial tuition and fee savings are also available at the master's and doctoral levels through the UAGC-Temple College partnership.
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Other UAGC Grant Opportunities
UAGC offers a variety of grant opportunities, including:
- Liberty Grant
- Patriot Grant
- Alumni Tuition Grant
- Bright Horizons Tuition Grant
- Full Tuition Grant
Each grant has unique eligibility requirements.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarship
UAGC offers Phi Theta Kappa members with an earned associate degree up to $6,450 in annual tuition savings towards a bachelor’s degree at UAGC. The UAGC transfer policy allows students to apply up to 90 approved transfer credits towards a bachelor’s degree, saving them time and money. Successful completion of the PTK Edge program and Leadership Development Studies program qualify for UAGC PLA credits. UAGC has an active PTK Chapter, Beta Tau Chi, for all members and alumni attending UAGC.
Understanding Financial Aid Options
UAGC provides flexible opportunities for working students from diverse backgrounds who seek to gain knowledge and skills that will help them to achieve their life and career goals. Financial aid encompasses any resource that assists with paying for college expenses. When applying for financial aid, students may apply for loans and grants (if applicable). Grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid unless specific conditions are not met (e.g., withdrawing from school). Eligibility for grants and scholarships is always considered first before any eligible loans.
The university provides an online process for completing financial aid applications, including required forms, electronic signatures, and links to additional documents.
Federal Pell Grants
A Pell Grant is awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree and have financial need. Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid for many students to which other aid may be added. 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 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) amount. The amount a student receives depends on the EFC, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Pell Grants are limited each award year in amount depending upon Pell Grant program funding and a maximum per student amount and is set by the federal government.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
An FSEOG is awarded only to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students who have received a Federal Pell Grant. The amount a student receives depends on the level of need, the amount of available FSEOG funding available at the institution, and the policies of the financial aid department at the school. Each year a maximum amount that each student may receive in the form of a FSEOG is specified.
Federal Direct Loans
There are two main categories of federal Direct Loans, subsidized loans (need based) and unsubsidized loans (non-need based). Students generally begin repaying these low-interest loans six months after graduation or following withdrawal from school.
Direct PLUS Loan
A Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a loan borrowed by the parents of the student. Parents are responsible for the interest that begins to accrue as of the date of the first disbursement of the loan.
Grad PLUS
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.
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.
Tuition and Payment Options
UAGC understands that earning an online degree is a financial investment. Tuition and fees depend on the degree level and field of study. UAGC offers a variety of payment options and resources to help students pay for college.
The Net Price Calculator is a tool that takes the cost of tuition, books, course materials, and estimated fees to produce an estimated program cost for the year.
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.
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