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.

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-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 the UAA Financial Aid Forms page.

See detailed information on tuition and fee rates.

2024-2025 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.

Licensure/Certificate Fees

Licensure/certificate fees are for professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential and are an allowance for the costs associated with obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential, for a student in a program that prepares them to enter a profession that requires such a qualification. Students in the following programs will have the additional listed licensure/certificate fees included in their Cost of Attendance:

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Cost of Attendance the actual amount of money I have to pay to UAA for classes?

  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 include 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.
  • 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). Alaskan resident applicants with a pending residency status should complete an Alaska Residency Application through the Admissions Office. 
  • Degree Level: 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 and Processes: Tuition and Fees.

• How does the number of classes I take affect 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 offer, 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 Office of Financial Aid 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 who 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.

• 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 (RAs) and active-duty military personnel.

  To request an amendment to your cost of attendance, 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 Office of Financial Aid to review your options.

• Some of my funding was returned because I "received additional resources"...why?

  "Additional resources" are any sources of money that you have received which were not factored into your cost of attendance estimate. If additional resources become available to you, the Office of Financial Aid may reduce previously paid or anticipated awards in order to keep the student's aid package within the estimated cost. If additional resources become available to you at any time during the enrollment period that exceed your eligibility for assistance, federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to reduce previous awards that were offered and/or disbursed to you (this does include grants, scholarships, and loan funding). 

  If you have exceptional, "allowable" costs beyond those that the federal government rules determine as reasonable, you can submit the Cost of Attendance Budget Adjustment Form (see the Financial Aid Forms) and provide documentation to have your cost of attendance budget raised. This does not necessarily make you eligible for larger grants or loans, as those have annual limits set in regulations.

  All or part of certain federal, state, or institutional funds may be returned to the source if additional resources become available to you that were not originally considered when eligibility for the aid was determined. In the case of federal and private loan funds, returned money will therefore be applied to reduce your loan debt. Undisbursed, anticipated loan funds may also be canceled or reduced prior to disbursement, if these resources exceed the need calculation.

• What if my income has been reduced due to life circumstances, or I've lost my job?

  If you have already completed the FAFSA and your income has been reduced due to life circumstances or because you have lost your job, you can complete the Request for Income Override Form (see the Financial Aid Forms).

  Make sure you complete the FAFSA and answer all the questions prior to submitting your Request for Income Override Form. Remember that a blank field is not automatically counted as 0 when entering dollar amounts into your FAFSA.

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