Things to Consider

Financing Your Education
The cost of your education is an investment in yourself. As you consider the next step in your education, you'll want to consider the financial costs of this investment. If you plan to apply for financial aid to help fund your education, we recommend you do so at the time you apply for admission.

Tuition and COE
Tuition for each program is available in the Tuition section of our Policy Bulletin. Please keep in mind that these figures only represent tuition and do not include other expenses such as books, transportation costs, and session fees. Visit Total Cost of Education (COE) for further information.

Some Things to Consider About Time and Money

Tuition Reductions and Increases
Faculty and employees of several universities are elligible for a 10% tuition reduction. Visit Tuition Reduction Agreements for details. Many of our programs also offer specific tuition reductions at certain points throughout each program. For details, please refer to the Tuition Information. Modest tuition increases occur similar to traditional universities and are applied at the beginning of the Fall term.

Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Many employers have a tuition reimbursement program. If this applies to you, the amount of tuition you have to pay out of your own pocket will be decreased, often quite substantially.

Federal Aid
Approximately 75 percent of Fielding students receive financial aid to help finance their education. Currently, eligible graduate students may qualify to borrow up to $20,500 annually. Students with demonstrated need are eligible for up to $8,500 in subsidized loans. Unsubsidized loans are also available, and are not need-based. For details, visit Financial Aid - Loans.

Outside Funding
Students are encouraged to apply for grants, fellowships, and scholarships offered outside of Fielding. For a list of available resources, visit Scholarships and Grants.

Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress
How you progress through your program relates to Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If SAP is not met, your financial aid disbursement could be jeopardized. More information on SAP is available on Page 6 of the Financial Aid Handbook located at Financial Aid Application Steps.

Length of Study
Refer to the Cost of Education to estimate the length of your program, how much money you are may be able to contribute without aid, and/or how much you may need to borrow over the length of your study.

Education and Earnings
U.S. Census data has shown that annual earnings rise with education level. For instance, a 2005 study shows individuals with a bachelor's degree had median earnings (including tax payments) of $50,900; master's degrees $61,300; and those with doctoral degrees $79,400 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2006, PINC-03; Internal Revenue Service, 2006).

Estimating Study Time
Due to the rigorous nature of Fielding's programs, you should plan on spending approximately 20 hours per week on studies. Depending on your program, the amount may fluctuate as you move toward completion.

Flexibility
Fielding students are typically working professionals who have other commitments in addition to their graduate work. The flexibility of the programs makes it possible to maintain these commitments while furthering their education.

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Last Updated: 10/29/07