Budget update on tuition: Nov. 17, 2021

— by Dan White, chancellor

Last week the Board of Regents held a full board meeting. One topic discussed was UA’s tuition proposal for the academic year 2022-2023 (effective fall 2022). The UA proposal included our effort to further differentiate tuition at UAF. I am happy to report that UAF’s proposal was approved for fall 2022. 

What is changing?

  1. For Troth Yeddha', UAF’s research campus, baccalaureate lower-division tuition (100- and 200-level courses) will increase from $234 to $260 as part of a two-year transition to a single undergraduate rate. 

What is not changing?

  1. For Troth Yeddha', upper-division, graduate rates and nonresident surcharges will not change from the current rate.
  2. For all CTC and most CRCD community college courses, tuition will not change from the current rate. 

Moving forward, UAF will have a designated community college rate, which applies to CTC and the CRCD community campuses providing occupational endorsements, certificates and associate degrees. This will allow UAF to provide affordable options for students seeking our community college experience, and one that we can manage separately from the UAF’s research campus. 

At Troth Yeddha', four-year baccalaureate degree students will begin the transition to a single undergraduate rate starting in fall 2022,. This will simplify the total cost of attendance for a four-year degree, including four-year financial aid packages to help ensure accessibility to those programs, based on merit or financial need. As we look at differentiating tuition, our goal is to optimize the value proposition for CTC/CRCD students and for Troth Yeddha' students. We achieve this by aligning the price and financial aid with the benefits. 

UAF Nanook Pledge and Nanook Commitment financial aid packages

Together with the tuition rate change, we are greatly increasing offerings of the Nanook Pledge and Nanook Commitment, our continuing four-year scholarships. I encourage you to connect prospective students with UAF Admissions for more information on becoming a part of Nanook Nation and the financial aid options available at UAF. 

The Nanook Pledge provides four-year scholarship awards up to $10,000 per year, based on scholastic achievement. The Nanook Commitment is a need-based award and is offered on a sliding scale, depending on the student’s EFC (estimated family contribution) as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). When a prospective student applies for admission to UAF and fills out the FAFSA, their award is calculated as part of that process and adjusted each year based on their EFC. The Nanook Commitment helps qualifying students bridge the gap between what they can afford and the cost of attendance. Students do not need to fill out a separate scholarship application to be considered for Nanook Committment or Nanook Pledge, and many students are eligible for both. In addition to the Nanook Pledge and Nanook Commitment, UAF awards over $1 million per year in additional scholarships. 

The FAFSA is the single most important part of the financial aid process, and UAF has robust communication plans to ensure students are aware of how to complete the FAFSA. Workshops and appointments are also available to students and their families to meet with UAF Financial Aid staff to walk them through the process and help them fill out the FAFSA. The UAF Net Price Calculator provides a detailed cost-of-attendance analysis that can help guide a prospective student through estimating their financial aid options. If students need help completing the FAFSA, they should contact UAF Financial Aid at uaf-financialaid@alaska.edu or 907-474-7256. 

Thanks for choosing UAF.