Financial Information

As you consider becoming a graduate student in our program, it is important that you inform yourself about the cost of graduate school and a financial plan to make this work. As you may already know, graduate credits are more expensive than undergraduate credits. Even though a master's degree program typically takes only two years, the expense of obtaining a graduate degree should be an important factor as you consider graduate school. In addition to the instructions below, make sure to look at our "cost" information for both the Online and On-Campus programs. In general, the majority of our students finance their education through loans and personal financial resources. Please note that graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time (5 credits per semester) to receive financial aid.

Below is a summary of information to help you with your financial situation.  Our Financial Aid Office is your best source of information for the financial aid process and any questions that you might have.  Please refer to their website and feel free to contact the for assistance with forms, waivers, loan information, etc... Here are some key points:

  • Complete and mail the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the processor listed on the FAFSA or complete the FAFSA on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov . Our financial aid school code is 003919. Do this as soon as you can after you accept the offer to join the SAA program.

  • Determine how many credits you are going to take. To be eligible for Financial Aid, you must take at least 5 credits per semester or 5 credits over summer session.

  • Starting approximately April 15, financial aid awards will be mailed and students will have three weeks to return the Award form if they wish to decline their awards. Spring and summer financial aid applications for Online students are processed as they are received. For more information about financial aid, visit UW-La Crosse's Financial Aid website. 

  • Students can apply for UW-L Foundation Scholarships. This process takes place in late winter -- the deadline is March 1st.  Go to their website for more info.

  • On-Campus students can apply for graduate assistantships. Note that you must have a minimum 2.85 GPA to qualify for a graduate assistantship. GA positions can be a maximum of 20 hours per week (50%) and some are 14 hours per week (33%).

  • Online students should note that their tuition is based on a special pricing program policy and may not increase in a similar fashion as the on-campus tuition (hopefully it will stay as it is for more than a year).

  • Current information regarding on-campus tuition fees can be found at www.uwlax.edu/cashiers (the UWL Cashiers Office website).

  • Students are also encouraged to check into Tuition Reimbursement programs through their employers.

  • Students from Minnesota must apply for the Reciprocity Agreement tuition at the Cashier's website to avoid paying out-of-state residency fees.

  • Out-of-state students for the On-Campus program will be contacted by the College of Liberal Studies regarding the waiver of out-of-state tuition fees. Each College receives a "pot" of money that can be put towards the cost of out-of-state tuition and the amount each student receives is dependent on the number of out-of-state students who will be enrolled for the year and the amount of money available across campus. In other words, they share the "pot" that is available and the amount per student varies from year to year. Generally, these numbers are finalized in May and out-of-state students will be emailed information regarding the waiver request process including the form that needs to be completed.

  • Online students pay the same tuition regardless of state or country of residency.  Note that the Online tuition fees differ from the On-Campus fees (see below).

    For questions related to financing your SAA degree, please call the Financial Aid Office staff at 608-785-8604 or send an e-mail to finaid@uwlax.edu. In general, graduate students will receive the majority of their financial assistance from student loans.

Spring 2011 "Cost" Comparison  -- note that tuition and fee increases may take place every year so these figures are tentative for fall 2011.  Please check the Cashier's website for updates.  Tuition and fees may change on short notice especially as we deal with the proposed cuts to the UW System in relation to the state budget.

Category On-campus Online
Number of credits 43 (new curriculum) 40-43 (new curriculum)
Cost per credit $481 for residents  $550
Total program cost $ 16,780 (approximate) $22,000-23,650 (depends on intern waiver or not)
Salary Grad Asst - $10,124 (50% position)/year Your current salary
Living Relocate to La Crosse area Can live anywhere with Internet access
Driving To campus None
Parking Possible fee Not applicable
Class dress Must be presentable Don’t care what you wear
Computer Probably must have one Must have one -- laptops are recommended, camera required
Books for classes Must purchase Must purchase
Summers No classes - get work/intern experience Classes do meet