The Bottom Line
Cost and Value of Education
The Student Financial Aid and the Bursar’s web sites provide the most comprehensive information about the cost of education including living expenses. Residence Life and the UA Housing Guide provide current information on average housing costs. See Estimated Cost of a UA Education.
Although tuition has increased significantly at public universities in recent years, the UA remains in the fourth quartile in terms of tuition costs, stemming from the authorizing state constitutional mandate to keep the cost of higher education as reasonable as possible.
Tuition fees are set each spring by the Arizona Board of Regents and posted on their web site. Detailed rates are posted on the Bursar's website/Student Services. The base graduate tuition and fees per semester for 2012-13 is $13,274 for non-resident graduate students taking 9 or more units and $5,568 for Arizona residents taking 7 or more units. Some departments, including the Eller School (Business), Public Administration, Planning, School of Information and Library Sciences, and Public Health also charge differential tuition which is not waived by the Peace Corps Fellowship or assistantships. Ask your department for details or calculate costs at the Bursar’s website/Student Services.
Cost for Peace Corps Fellows
In 2012-13, Fellows receive:
Base Tuition - $10,201 (AZ resident); $25,611(non-resident)
Graduate Scholarship - $4000
Work Study - $3000
Through your department, financial aid, and extramural fellowships/scholarships, it may be possible to further reduce your costs, but this is not guaranteed. Fellows work closely with the Office of Financial Aid and academic departments to develop a competitive package. It is to your advantage to file the FAFSA early in January to maximize your awards.
Some departments may offer additional financial support to graduate students. The amount of support varies depending on the program, but you may wish to explore options such as an assistantship or scholarships with the graduate advisor or coordinator of the department to which you are applying.
The internship and tuition scholarship will offset your cost of education, but most students do take out some loans over the period of study. We encourage graduate students to minimize any debt incurred in graduate school. If you have the opportunity to apply for extramural scholarships or fellowships, please do! Arizona residents pay considerably less tuition than non-residents, but must reside in Arizona for at least 12 months before eligible to apply for residency: How to establish residency in Arizona.
The Peace Corps Fellows tuition scholarship is renewable as long as you are progressing to degree and meeting the requirements of the Fellows program. Timely progression in your studies is a key way to minimize your cost of education.
A true benefit!
The UA provides competitive tuition rates, exceptional programs, distinguished faculty, and phenomenal research and internship opportunities. UA provides excellent value for high quality academic programs, many of which are in the top 10 in the world. The UA ranks 13th among all public institutions for research expenditures, and is 1st in research expenditures for physical sciences.
Our Fellows typically move into full-time positions at graduation. The Fellows internship experience often facilitates placement at a higher level than for a student with no internship experience.