Expenses & Financial Aid

Tuition and Fees

Tuition, fees, and the withdrawal reimbursement schedule printed in this graduate catalog are for the 2021-2022 academic year and are subject to change. Check with the Student Financial Services Office or Office of Academic Affairs for further information.

Graduate students in the Leadership Studies (M.A.) online program pay $605 per credit, no matter where they live.

Graduate students in the Education: Digital Instruction (M.A.) program pay $605 per credit, no matter where they live.

Graduate students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.) program pay the in-state rate of $629 per credit, no matter what site they attend.

For details about the Vermont State Colleges’ in-state residency requirements (VSC Policy 301), visit www.vsc.edu.

Financial Aid

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to students enrolled in graduate programs. In order to be considered, students must first complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Loan eligibility is determined by Northern Vermont University.

In order to receive a federal loan, a student must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, have a valid Social Security number and be enrolled in at least 3.0 credit hours in a graduate program. Students cannot owe a refund on previously awarded financial aid, and they must be registered with Selective Service (if required) and be making satisfactory academic progress once enrolled.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loans

Unsubsidized loans are determined by the student’s cost of attendance, not the student’s financial need. The interest rate is fixed. The federal government does not pay the interest while the student is enrolled. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, is no longer enrolled at least half time, or withdraws from the university.

Graduate Direct PLUS Loans

Graduate PLUS loans are another resource for students in graduate study. Need is determined based on the cost of attendance minus the unsubsidized loan, and credit approval is required. Graduate students must first borrow the maximum unsubsidized loan amount before they can receive a PLUS loan. Contact Student Financial Services for more information.

M.A. in Education Scholarships

Northern Vermont University-Johnson offers two scholarships for graduate students in education: the Doris Spencer and the Bover/Graves/Story scholarships. Students are notified via email when applications are available, usually in early December.

Satisfactory Academic Progress, GPA & PACE Requirements

In order to maintain eligibility for federal financial aid, students make “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP) at a pace that ensures they complete their degree within the maximum time frame allowed, as measured by credit-completion rates. Master’s degree time frames are determined by program.

The second requirement is to maintain good academic standing as measured by cumulative grade point average (GPA). Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Cumulative GPA includes all terms of your enrollment at NVU.

Students must successfully complete at least 67 percent of the total credits in which they are enrolled. Example: If you enroll in a total of 18 credits during the fall and spring semesters, you must successfully complete at least 12 credits. (18 credits x 67% = 12 credits). This is the minimum that must be completed.

Successful completion of credit hours toward graduation requirements is represented by passing grades of A, A-, B, B- and P. Graduate students may repeat previously passed courses just once and may repeat failed courses until receiving a passing grade, and be allowed to receive financial aid for the repeat. All repeat attempts are included in the pace and maximum-time frame calculations.

Students’ records will be reviewed on an annual basis after the completion of the spring semester to assess compliance with this policy. All semesters of enrollment, including summer and periods in which the student did not receive federal aid, are considered in the determination of SAP.

Students not making satisfactory academic progress (either via the GPA requirement or the pace requirement, PACE) will have their financial aid eligibility suspended. Students whose aid eligibility has been suspended have the option to appeal to the Financial Aid Review Board for reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility. Students who are academically dismissed from the university are automatically recognized as failing to meet SAP standards.

Veterans’ Benefits

NVU students who are a veterans, or a dependent of a veteran, eligible for educational benefits, should contact Tammy Carter, NVU-Johnson’s designated VA certifying official, at tammy.carter@northernvermont.edu or 802-635-1227. She can help students eligible for veterans’ benefits navigate the process and make sure their program of study qualifies for benefits.

Veterans Benefits and Transitions Act

NVU complies with VA regulations. As such, individuals who are eligible for chapter 31 or chapter 33 benefits and have submitted a certificate of eligibility AND a request for enrollment certification are eligible to attend and participate in courses and related academic services while NVU awaits payment from the VA.

The financial aid information presented here is an overview. Visit www.studentaid.gov or www.northernvermont.edu/AdmissionsAndAid for details about awards and procedures.