Graduate Tuition And Financial Information

UAFS Graduate Studies Tuition

Tuition charges are based on the number of credit hours taken and residency status. Tuition is established by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees and is set annually and subject to change without written notice. Students must pay their tuition and fees or set up a payment plan by the posted payment deadlines. Payment plans are available through the Online Business Center on My UAFS. Students may be removed from their courses if full payment and/or arrangements (financial aid or payment plan) has not been made by the deadline.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and any and all fees may be increased or decreased as deemed necessary by the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees. The tuition and fees referenced below are for the Fall 2023 semester.

Refund of Graduate Tuition

When a student officially withdraws from a credit course(s), tuition may be refunded according to the following schedule:

Graduate Residency Determination

Students are classified as one of the following for tuition purposes at the time of admission:

1. In-State - U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Arkansas for at least six (6) consecutive months before the beginning of the term for reasons other than attendance at UAFS.
2. Border State - U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas for at least six (6) consecutive months before the beginning of the term for reasons other than attendance at UAFS.
3. Out-of-State - anyone who lives outside of Arkansas or border state or is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. (See Residency for Non-Traditionally Documented Persons below for in-state eligibility options for non-citizens/permanent residents.)
4. International - student attending UAFS on a student visa.

The residency classification of a minor is the same as that of his or her parents or guardian unless the student is married or has otherwise established a separate legal residence.

Students who knowingly give erroneous information in an attempt to evade payment of out-of-state fees are subject to dismissal from the University.

Establishing In-State or Border State Residency

Any student classified as out-of-state at the time of admissions are considered to be in Arkansas primarily for the purpose of attending school and not for the purpose of establishing residency. Mere presence in Arkansas or a border state alone does not establish residency. Any student previously classified as out-of-state may request a change of residency status through the Registrar’s Office. The student must submit documentation showing six (6) months of residency in Arkansas or a border state before the start of the given semester for purposes other than attending college.

Residency can be shown submitting any two (2) forms of documentation from the following list:

• Current permanent driver’s license (at least six months old) bearing the address where the student resides. Post office box addresses are not acceptable.
• State automobile registration.
• Statement from your employer indicating the date you were employed, length of service, and address where you reside.
• Lease which includes student’s name and dates spanning a minimum six-month period.
• Personal or real estate property tax statement from their permanent domicile from the previous year.
• Documented home purchase in Arkansas or a border state
• Payment of state income tax.
• Previous year’s state income tax return showing the student is a dependent of an Arkansas or border state resident.
• Utility bills dated to cover the six months immediately before the start of the semester and indicating the student’s permanent address.
• Other forms of verification may be accepted at the discretion of the institution.

Residency Status of Veterans and Military Personnel and Their Spouses and Dependents

Any student who meets any of the following criteria shall be
classified as in-state, regardless of his or her residence:

1. A veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
2. A dependant or spouse of a veteran who meets criteria above. For the purpose of this policy, dependents are unmarried children who are legal dependents of the military person as defined by the IRS.
3. A member of the armed forces.
4. A spouse of a member of the armed forces.
5. A Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet who has an executed armed forces service contract.
6. A dependant of a member of the active duty armed forces, when the member of the armed forces:
   1. is stationed in Arkansas pursuant to permanent change of station military orders;
   2. is continuously domiciled in Arkansas for at least six consecutive months before entering active military service and who maintains Arkansas as the permanent home of record while on active duty, or
   3. demonstrates a change of domicile from another state to Arkansas at least 12 months prior to separation, discharge, or retirement from active duty. This provision is forfeited if the military person does not return to Arkansas with 36 months after separation, discharge, or retirement from active duty.
7. A veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Arkansas while attending a school located in Arkansas (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
8. Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Arkansas while attending a school located in Arkansas (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
9. Anyone described in 7 and 8 above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described in 7 and 8 above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.
10. Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Arkansas while attending a school located in Arkansas (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
11. Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Arkansas while attending a school located in Arkansas (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
12. A member of the armed forces or “covered individual” as identified in Section 702 of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.

The policy shall be read to be amended as necessary for compliance with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3679, as amended, and Ark. Code Ann. § 6-60-205. as amended.

Residency for Non-Traditionally Documented Persons

Under the provisions of Arkansas Code Ann. § 6-60-215 (Act 844), students who provide documentation to satisfy the requirements of 1, 2, or 3; AND 4 and 5 below will be granted in-state tuition.

1. Student has immigrated from the Republic of the Marshall Islands and has verified legal presence in the State of Arkansas. Acceptable documentation certifying citizenship/country of birth as the Republic of the Marshall Islands may include:
   1. Passport.
   2. Employment Authorization Document Card.
   3. Permanent Resident Card.
   4. Unexpired Immigrant Visa.
   5. Additional forms of verification may be accepted at the discretion of the institution.
2. Student or parent holds a Federal Form I-766 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services issued Employment Authorization Document, known as a work permit. Required documentation includes:
   1. Unexpired Employment Authorization Card issued to the student.
   2. Unexpired Employment Authorization Card issued to the parent and documentation, such as birth certificate, verifying the parent-child relationship.
3. Student has requested and been approved for an exemption under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Exemption must be current. Required documentation includes one of the following:
   1. Unexpired Employment Authorization Card issued to the student.
   2. Form I-797, Notice of Action addressed to the student that specifies “Case Type: Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” and “Notice Type: Approval Notice [which has not expired the two (2) year validity.]”

If the student is able to provide proper documentation to establish they meet one of the above requirements, the student must also provide documentation to satisfy both  requirements listed below.

4. The student must be a graduate of an Arkansas public or private high school or must have earned an Arkansas high school equivalency. Required documentation includes one of the following:

   1. Official high school transcript from an accredited Arkansas public or private institution indicating a graduation date and final grade point average.
   2. GED certificate or scores issued by the Arkansas Department of Career Education or other appropriate state agency.

5. The student must have resided in Arkansas for at least three (3) years at the time of application for admission. Acceptable documentation can include but is not limited to any of the following:

   1. Official high school transcript from an accredited Arkansas public or private institution indicating a graduation date and final grade point average.

   2. Official college transcript from an Arkansas college or university, if that transcript shows residency at the school for three (3) years immediately prior to UAFS admission.
   3. Billing/rental history indicating Arkansas residency for at least three (3) years prior to admission. Examples include but are not limited to utility bills and rental agreements.
   4. Documented home purchase in Arkansas by the student at least three years prior to admission.
   5. Driver’s license or state identification card issued in the State of Arkansas at least three (3) years prior to admission.
   6. Notarized letter from an employer or landlord verifying Arkansas residency status for at least three (3) years prior to admission.
   7. Other forms of verification may be accepted at the discretion of the institution.

Payment Information

Students must pay tuition and any fees in full or set up a payment plan by the posted payment deadline. If full payment and/or arrangements (financial aid or payment plan) have not been made by the published deadline, students may be assessed a late fee.

Students may make payments online or in the Cashier’s Office located on the second floor of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center. For information on payment deadlines, how to pay online, or payment plan options, see Tuition, Fees, and Payments on the Graduate Studies website.

Financial Assistance and Scholarships

Students wishing to apply for financial aid and/or graduate scholarships must contact the UAFS Financial Aid Office located on the second floor of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center or call for information. The Financial Aid Office provides a comprehensive program of federal loans, work study, and third party assistance. Veterans education benefits are also coordinated through the Financial Aid Office. Students enrolled in at least six credit hours are eligible to borrow through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program or the Direct PLUS Loan program for Graduate Students if they qualify. Students who are not eligible for the Pell Grant or Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant may qualify for loans. To determine eligibility, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA should be submitted prior to June 1 and as soon as possible after the previous year’s taxes are completed. The electronic application is available on the Department of Education website, fafsa.gov. This free service is the fastest and easiest way to apply. After all requested documentation has been submitted, the application will be processed by the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility. Students will then be notified of financial aid eligibility through a financial aid award letter, or an email notification for current students. Students must satisfy the financial aid/loan regulations to continue their award.

UAFS participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Education.

Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Interest is charged during all periods, including school enrollment and during grace and deferment periods.

Direct PLUS Loans: Additional unsubsidized loans require a credit check during the application process. PLUS loans help pay for educational expenses up to the cost of attendance minus all other financial assistance. Interest is charged during all periods.

Direct Consolidation Loans: Borrowers can combine different federal student loans into one loan.

For additional financial aid information and graduate scholarships, contact the Financial Aid Office and/or view financial aid information on the Graduate Studies website.

Lion Loyalty Graduate Scholarship

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at UAFS may be eligible for the Lion Loyalty Scholarship. The scholarship awards eligible full-time graduate students $1,000 each semester they are registered for 9 credit hours or more. The scholarship also awards graduate students who are enrolled on a part-time basis $667 per semester if they are taking between 6-8 credit hours per semester and $333 if they are taking 3-5 hours per semester.

Veterans Educational Benefits - GI Bill®

Active duty and veteran service members and their dependents may be entitled to VA Educational Benefits under a specific GI Bill®. To check eligibility, contact the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1. Students who have applied for VA Educational Benefits and approved by the VA will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) in the mail. This copy of the COE should be provided to the VA certifying official in the Financial Aid Office. UAFS does not determine eligibility. The VA alone makes the determination of benefit eligibility.

Students using VA Educational Benefits are responsible for knowing and understanding the rules and regulations concerning academic standards as they relate to those benefits. No payment of VA Educational Benefits will be made for auditing a course or for a course that is not verified by the VA certifying official as a course that applies to a degree program or career objective.

Students qualifying for VA Educational Benefits may also qualify for the VA work study program. Students interested must complete VA form 22-8691 (JUL 2012), Application for Work-Study Allowance, and return to the VA certifying official in the Financial Aid Office. If the student is approved by the VA to participate in the program and a position is open, the student will be contacted for an interview by the VA certifying official. 

All inquiries concerning VA Educational Benefits should be addressed to the VA at 1-888-GIBILL-1. Complete information about VA Educational Benefit programs and requirements can be found at www.benefits.va.gov.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
FINAID@UAFS.EDU
479-788-7090
FAX: 479-788-7095