Tuition & Financial Assistance

2009-2010 Tuition Rates

•  Master of Science in Education - School Guidance & Counseling
  $375 per credit hour
• Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction (online program)
  $430 per credit hour

Additional Expenses

•  A fee of $100 per 3-credit hour course will apply to students who opt to use a BVU laptop during the summer sessions at our Storm Lake campus (School Guidance & Counseling Program only). Students may bring laptops or use desktop computers in the BVU Library free of charge.
• Students taking online courses pay a one-time $80 technology fee. This fee provides access to all required software, including the Microsoft Office Professional Suite, SPSS, and the latest plug-ins used for courses, plus access to technical support via phone, email, and web, and complete support for the online learning environment. 
• Additional costs include textbooks each term and a graduation fee in the final term of enrollment. 
• Summer Housing for Master of Science - School Guidance and Counseling program. Dormitory rooms complete with central kitchen facilities are available at a modest daily rate during the four week summer session on the BVU campus.

Financial Assistance

Loans available

• Federal Stafford Loans are available to students who complete a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enroll at least half-time in college. The federal government offers loans with an interest subsidy to students who show financial need and loans without an interest subsidy, for students who do not show need or show a limited amount of need. If eligible for the interest subsidy, the government will pay the interest on the loan while you are enrolled at least half-time and during the six month grace period. If eligible for an unsubsidized loan, students are responsible for the interest charge upon receipt of the loan.
• Awards are restricted to students who are enrolled in the M.S.Ed. program as a half-time student. Half-time status is defined as continuous enrollment in the prescribed series of courses (3 hours per term, or 12 hours per year). To qualify for a Stafford Loan, fill out the online FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid - after January 1.

Please contact the Office of Financial Assistance at Buena Vista University, 800.383.2821, ext. 2164, for more information or visit BVU's Financial Assistance website.

For more information, visit the Iowa College Student Aid Commission web site.

Payment

After all financial assistance is applied to the student account, students will be expected to pay the balance prior to the first class meeting. Students may pay:

• by mailing a check covering the tuition for the course (be sure to indicate the course number and title) to:
  Business Office
  Buena Vista University
  610 W. Fourth St.
  Storm Lake, IA 50588
• by phoning the Business Office at 800.383.2821, ext. 2041 to make payments by credit card.
• in person at the Business Office. Cash, checks and the following credit cards are accepted: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.