Learn About Cost of Attendance, Aid Types, and Planning Tools

How Much Does It Cost To Attend College?

Choosing to earn a college degree is a big step and there are many factors to consider before enrolling in classes.  Financial aid is money to help you pay for college. It can come from federal, state, private, and college funding sources. Use the tools provided below to help you make informed decisions about colleges, degree/certificate programs, and student loans.

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How Much Does it Cost to Attend UAA?

"Cost of Attendance" (COA) is the estimated cost of completing a full year at UAA. The COA is also referred to as a "Budget" for financial aid purposes. Your Cost of Attendance is not only what you will pay to go to college, it is an estimate of how much you can expect to need to help pay for college and living expenses throughout the nine (9) month academic year (fall and spring semesters).

Costs vary by degree level (undergraduate/graduate) and are based on average cost for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food, transportation, and personal expenses. It is an estimate only, as each student's expenses will depend on many variables, including living arrangements. Students whose actual expenses exceed their estimates can submit a Cost of Attendance/Budget Adjustment found on our Financial Aid Forms page. 

See detailed information on tuition and fee rates.

2021-2022 Budgets

NOTE: The College of Engineering and College of Business and Public Policy assesses a tuition surcharge for upper-division and graduate coursework.

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) are reduced tuition programs for western-region out-of-state students. Learn more about WUE and WRGP.

 

• Frequently Asked Questions

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is the Cost of Attendance the actual amount of money I have to pay to UAA for classes? (Direct vs. Indirect Costs)

    The Cost of Attendance is not the amount that you need to pay UAA.

    The Cost of Attendance is an ESTIMATE of your educational expenses for a given period of enrollment (typically an academic year). Your period of enrollment includes the semesters listed on your award letter. Your cost of attendance should not be confused with your Student Account Statement, or bill. Your cost of attendance includes both direct and indirect costs associated with your enrollment as a student.

    Direct Costs: These are mandatory charges you must pay directly to UAA . Direct costs includes tuition, student fees, and course fees. If you choose to live on campus, your on-campus housing and UAA meal plans are also considered direct costs. 

    We recommend checking your Student Account Statement regularly through UAOnline. Follow these menu steps to view your bill: Student Services & Account Information > Student Account > Account Detail for Term (Semester) / Pay Term Balance. 

    Indirect Costs: These are estimated costs incurred by you while you attend UAA, but not paid directly to UAA. Indirect costs include off-campus room and board, textbooks and supplies, loan fees paid to a lender, and transportation to/from class.

    Financial Aid funds received in excess of "direct costs" will be refunded to the student (and/or parent, if applicable) to help pay for indirect costs. You can consider creative ways to reduce these costs, like choosing to live with family/roommates, renting or borrowing textbooks, taking free public transport or biking.

  • Why are there different tuition rates?

    Tuition rates are determined by the University of Alaska Board of Regents and are based on the following conditions:

    • Residency Status: Alaska resident, non-resident, or Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Western Regional Graduate Exchange (WRGP)
      
      • Application for Resident Tuition Assessment
    • Undergraduate lower division (A050-A299), undergraduate upper division (A300-A499), and graduate level (A600-A699)
    • Special Rates: specific degree programs with "super tuition" rates and campuses with reduced rates
    • Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver

    For additional details, please refer to the UAA Catalog - Academic Policies

  • How does the number of classes I take effect my cost of attendance?

    Your Cost of Attendance varies depending on many factors, including how many credits you're enrolled in each semester.  For example, if you enroll in 15 credits you'll have higher associated costs (fees,tuition, books, etc.) than a student that is enrolled in 6 credits.  When you receive your initial award letter, it will be generated using your estimated cost of attendance based on the number of credits you are enrolled in at the time we calculate your awards.  If you are not enrolled at the time we generate your award letter, we will estimate your awards based on full-time (12 credit) enrollment.

    After the fall semester add/drop period has passed we review all cost of attendance and awards for those students whose enrollment has changed. Example: if you're enrolled in 9 credits at the time your award letter is generated and later enroll in an additional class, we'll increase your cost of attendance but not necessarily your awards unless the aid program allows for the adjustment.  If you have reduced your enrollment since the time your award letter was generated, we are required by federal law to review any financial aid that you received for possible overawards and return funds to the respective programs. 

  • What should I do if I change my enrollment after I receive my financial aid?

    You must notify the Financial Aid Office if you add or drop classes after receiving a disbursement of financial aid money. Failure to notify our office of a change after you've received a disbursement, may result in repayment of financial aid that you are no longer eligible to receive.

  • Where do I find MY overall Cost of Attendance, so I know how much financial aid I can receive?
    For your student specific Cost of Attendance go to UAOnline; click on Financial Aid> Award> Award by Aid Year (select the appropriate year)> Award Overview.
  • How are Cost of Attendance budgets created?

    UAA's Cost of Attendance budgets are determined bi-annually, and are estimates using survey and local consumer price data. These figures represent the typical expenses incurred by students; however there may be special circumstances that warrant an evaluation of individual costs. For example, aviation students with expensive flight fees, or students that live with parents but must pay rent. Students may request an evaluation of their specific cost of attendance by completing a Cost of Attendance/Budget Adjustment Request Form (see Financial Aid Forms).

    Important Note: Tuition and student fee charges per credit are available in the UAA Catalog, in the Academic Polices & Processes chapter. Tuition charges are identified by student type, i.e. undergraduate level, graduate, non-resident, professional development, and WUE.

  • Will I receive a tuition discount if I'm selected for either the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Western Regional Graduate Programs (WRGP) at UAA?

    Undergraduate Students who qualify for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program pay 150% of the in-state tuition rate. 

    Graduate Students who qualify for the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) pay the in-state tuition rate on select participating programs.

    Please note: If you accept the WUE or the WRGP tuition waiver you cannot count the time you attend as a WUE student toward the time required for establishing Alaska residency.

     Western Region Non-Resident Students: To  apply for either WUE or WRGP status or to find out if your state participates in this tuition discount program with UAA, click the button provided below:
    

    WUE TUITION DISCOUNT program!optional hidden text

  • What should I do if my ACTUAL expenses exceed the estimate UAA has provided on my financial aid award package?

    There are many reasons a student's actual expenses may exceed UAA's estimate. Students admitted in special programs, like aviation, welding or nursing may have to purchase fuel for flight time, special equipment or uniforms. In addition, some students receive free or reduced-price housing provided for them, like Residence Life room advisors (R.A.'s) and active-duty military personnel.

    To request an amendment to your COA, submit a Cost of Attendance/Budget Adjustment Request Form to the UAA Financial Aid Office for review (see Financial Aid Forms).

    It's important to understand that increasing your Cost of Attendance does not automatically mean you'll qualify for more financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office to review your options.

Learn More About the Different Types of Aid

There are three main types of programs available to help families afford college. "Free" Aid, "Aid You Pay Back", and "Aid You Earn". Once initial eligibility is determined, students must follow specific program rules in order to maintain eligibility and continue to receive funding.

Completing a FAFSA every year as early as it opens (Oct. 1st) is critical. UAA takes it from there! Students new to the University of Alaska are provided with an award offer as early as December, and continuing students who are enrolled in classes will receive their award offer in May, once the spring semester ends. If you would like to learn more about some of the awards you may see added by UAA onto your UAOnline award offers, review the program specific links below.

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  Use College Comparison Tools to Review College Costs

• Review Your Actual College Financing Plan
   The College Financing Plan report is available to students who complete the FAFSA and have applied into a degree program with UAA or one of our community campuses. Created by the U.S. Dept. of Education, it provides clear, concise information on cost, financial aid, retention and graduation, as well as average debt information per career, and can help you to compare cost and aid offers for schools you are considering. Access your UAA College Financing Plan by logging into UAOnline > Financial Aid > UAA > College Financing Plan
• Review An Estimate of Your Federal Aid using the Net Price Calculator
  The Net Price Calculator will provide an estimate of your expected family contribution and estimated financial aid based on details such as your family income tax, earnings, household size, and costs for the current academic year at UAA. The more accurate information you provide, the more accurate the estimated resources. Please be sure to complete the entire process to ensure the best possible results.
• Use the U.S. College Scorecard to Compare College
  Compare information on cost, retention rates, and other critical data on U.S. colleges, created and hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. Visit the College Scorecard for more information.