MPA/P Program Fee

Frequently Asked Questions

How and when will the program fee be assessed?

The fee will be charged to your student account along with your regular tuition bill. The MPA/MPP fee is $1,250/semester for four semesters (fall and spring only). The fee is not charged for any summer session. Students who plan to graduate by May or August 2012 are eligible for a Spring 2012 fee waiver. Payment for the fee is also due the same date tuition is due. Spring 2012 tuition is due on January 4, 2012. 

Do other degree programs at ASU charge fees?

Yes, several other programs require fees. The W.P. Carey MBA program requires that students pay a program fee of $625 per credit hour in addition to ASU tuition and fees. The School of Social Work assesses a fee of $650 per semester (fall and spring) for as long as a student is in the program.  The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law has separate tuition from other programs and the annual tuition and fee cost is $21,598, well above normal resident tuition for graduates. 

What new services can students expect to come from the fee?

The fee will allow us to add valuable services to School of Public Affairs students. We are already working on creating a Student Resource Center which will include Career Counseling and financial aid services.  In addition, we are diligently working to secure a better and much more formal alumni network which will be a long term asset to our past, present, and future students.

How does the financial aid piece work?

20% of the fees collected will be invested directly into student financial assistance. The financial aid will only be distributed to students with a FAFSA on file.  All SPA students should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for assistance.  (You may reject student loans if you chose not to take them.)  The amount of financial aid a student can receive varies based on the student’s financial need as determined by the FAFSA.  Any financial assistance will be credited to the student account. 

How does the waiver work for students graduating in May or August 2012?

Students graduating in May or August 2012 will have the opportunity to have the Spring 2012 program fee waived. In order to have the fee waived, students must complete the following steps by December 3, 2011:

• Students requesting a fee waiver must submit the fee waiver request form. This form demonstrates that you will be able to complete your program by either May or August 2012. The Summer 2012 schedule will not be available until February, students who need to enroll in Summer 2012 should use the Summer 2011 schedule as a guide.

• Ensuring the Program of Study (POS) is accurate and, if not, submitting any necessary changes.

• Please note that the fee will be charged to all students. The waiver process will remove the fee before any payment is due. However, if a student receives the waiver for Spring 2012 and does not graduate by August 2012, the Spring 2012 fee will be re-applied to their account in addition to the Fall 2012 fee.