Finance and funding
Learning about your financial options and the tools and funding sources available can help ease your mind and put you on the right track to make informed financial decisions. CEHD is committed to making this process as clear and actionable as possible.
My interest in equity and inclusion work really grew out of my own experience, fighting to go to college, fighting to afford it, fighting to see myself represented in my classrooms.
Emily Horton
master's student
higher education
Tuition and reciprocity
Graduate tuition for M.A. and Ph.D programs in our college follows the University’s general graduate tuition rates. Part-time enrollment is 3 to 5 credits per semester, and full-time enrollment is 6 to 14 credits per semester. Individual courses are typically 2 to 4 credits each, and each program has its own course and credit requirements. Please check with individual programs for specific course and credit requirements and totals. M.Ed. and certificate programs follow a different tuition rate.
If you are a resident of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Manitoba, you may qualify for tuition reciprocity. These rates are lower than non-resident rates and, in some cases, comparable to Minnesota resident tuition rates. Reciprocity is not automatic; you must apply beforehand. More information about reciprocity is at the University’s One Stop Student Services site.
Cost and benefits of living here
The cost of living in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro Area is less than in many other major cities. According to Sperling’s best places cost of living comparison tool, on average:
- Boston is 55% more expensive.
- Los Angeles is 52% more expensive.
- New York City is 65% more expensive.
- San Francisco is 149% more expensive.
- Seattle is 61% more expensive.
Types of funding
Loans and Financial Aid
Financial aid for your graduate program works a little differently than financial aid at the undergraduate level. It’s important to know the differences and explore your options before accepting loans.
Federal student loans are available to most graduate students regardless of income and can be a critical part of your education financing. Increasingly, there are more flexible repayment plans including income-based repayment options and loan forgiveness programs. When you borrow responsibly and conservatively, student loans can be a great resource.
Assistantships
Assistantships are a type of employment position. You will get a stipend for a set number of work hours each week during the academic term. There are three kinds of assistantships: Teaching, Research, and Administrative assistantships
Fellowships, scholarships, and grants
Fellowships support a student's scholarship and research through specific allocations intended for tuition, stipends, or benefits such as health insurance.
Scholarships are awards or payments made to support your education. Scholarships do not involve separate work.
Grants fund an activity. They typically involve a project such as research that occurs outside of the normal curriculum.