Graduate Financial Aid

ACU graduate students are charged per credit hour, not under block tuition. Tuition rates and the number of credit hours required vary across programs. To find this information for your program of interest, please visit acu.edu/grad.

All of the ACU on-campus graduate programs offer academic scholarships or tuition discounts. These awards are typically based on the strength of your graduate application. 

We encourage you to apply for external scholarships and grants. Professional organizations and accrediting bodies associated with your program are a great place to start as they often post industry-specific scholarship and grant opportunities. Watch out for scams! Never pay to apply for a scholarship or grant.

Graduate Assistantships (GA) are available in many departments at ACU and are offered on a competitive basis. Each department has its own requirements and expectations for GA positions, however most GAs receive a scholarship and monthly living stipend. The amount of the award varies by department and often covers a generous portion of tuition. 

Federal Loans are low-interest loans for students to pay for the cost of a graduate education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education, rather than a bank. The vast majority of graduate students utilize the Federal Loan Program to help pay for tuition (and living expenses if needed). There are two types of Federal Loans for graduate students:

Direct Loan

The loan application process is simple at the graduate level because your parents’ financial information is not needed. Visit fafsa.ed.gov and complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to get started. Be sure to list ACU as one of your receiving schools (School code 003537).

Plus Loan

If additional funds are needed beyond the FAFSA (Direct Loan), you could consider applying for the Federal Plus Loan to cover remaining tuition costs and living expenses. 

Private loans come from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. In most cases, federal loans are more affordable than the terms of a private loan. However, ACU will certify private loans for any lender you choose. We can also provide a “Preferred Private Lender” list upon request. 

You can pay your bill throughout the year at zero percent interest using our Wildcat Pay Plan. Simply pay $50 per semester to enroll and then spread out your educational costs to as many as six monthly payments per semester.

As a graduate student at ACU, you are eligible to apply for on-campus student employment in various departments and offices on campus. ACU pays students through direct deposit and funds can be used to offset educational costs or to help cover living expenses. Visit acu.edu/jobs to view current openings.