Tuition
RIGHT UP FRONT, let us state that we have Tuition at the beginning of this page because financials are something we should feel clear about. Tucson is one of the most affordable places to live in the United States. Over 75% of our students fund their education through a FA loan processes.
We are one of the most competitively priced, accredited, full-degree Chinese medical education choices in the nation.
Tuition and fees are public monies within the jurisdiction and responsibility of the Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Governing Board, under the laws and regulations of the state of Arizona and must be administered by the Governing Board. The tuition rate at ASAOM is presently $19 per contract hour.
For a few reasons, the numbers given below should be regarded as ‘estimates’. Though they are soundly calculated based on ASAOM’s current rate per clock hour, they may be subject to a 3% annual increase. Additionally, the numbers below do not take into account extensions to degree timelines. If a student requires longer than the scheduled timeline to fulfill degree requirements, the pricing may change. If students are eligible for transfer credits from a former institution they will have an adjusted tuition cost clarified and agreed upon during the enrollment process. Upon successful application, and enrollment all tuition, fees, assessments, and deposits, must be paid at the time of registration for any given ‘term’ (quarter), by the specified deadline, and in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the ASAOM Governing board. Enrollment in any term is not complete until tuition and fees are paid. Non-payment beyond the first week is potential cause for dismissal. (Evaluated on a case-by-case basis).
ASAOM is a clock hour, non-standard term school. Clock Hours: This means our tuition is charged per hour of required class instruction, or clinic time. Clock hours are directly transferrable to credit hours. Non-Standard Term: This means our school year operates following the seasons. i.e. We have a Fall quarter (beginning quarter-12 weeks), a Winter quarter (12 weeks), a Spring quarter (12 weeks), and a Summer quarter (8 weeks). At Winter quarter’s end there is a three week break, and another three week break occurs at the end of Summer quarter. In between remaining quarters, students will have a one to two week break.
Masters of Acu. and Oriental Medicine (MAc.OM)
152.5 Credit Hours or 3040 Clock Hours - 3 year + 1 term program - cost estimate reflects the entire program
Total for the entire program -Base Tuition: $57,760
Associated tees: $3,343
Estimated cost for books and supplies: $3,500
Approximate grand total: $64,603
Masters of Acupuncture (MAc.)
126 Credit Hours or 2575 Clock Hours - 3 year + 1 term program - cost estimate reflects the entire program
Total for the entire program - Base Tuition: $48,925
Associated fees: $3,343
Estimated cost for books and supplies: $3,500
Approximate grand total (3 years, inclusive): $55,768
Asian Body Therapy/Tuina Training - cost estimate reflects the entire program
*Currently his program is not eligible for FA as a stand alone pursuit (target Fall 2023). Its entirety is included in both the MAc.OM and MAc. degrees.
101 Credit Hours or 1058 Clock Hours - 2 year program
Total for the entire program - Base Tuition: $20,102
Associated fees: $1,825
Estimated cost for books and supplies: $2,229
Approximate grand total (3 years, inclusive): $24,156
Books & Materials
Books and materials will cost approximately $2,000 in year one and $500 in each of the following years.
Payment
All tuition, fees, assessments, and deposits must be paid at the time of registration or by the specified deadline date, and in accordance with the fee schedule approved by the ASAOM Governing board. Enrollment is not complete until tuition and fees are paid. Non-payment beyond the first week is potential cause for dismissal. (Evaluated on a case-by-case basis).
Students receiving Title IV funds will pay on a separate schedule determined by completion of hourly benchmarks, as set when financial aid is awarded.
FFA
Federal Financial Aid
If you plan to apply to ASAOM, please be sure to consult the Direct Loan - What To Do document for guidance. Follow the steps listed therein to make the most of speaking with our FA officer and, of course, contact us with any questions.
This all may seem complicated, may make your head spin, but upon acceptance into ASAOM you will sit down with our Financial Aid Officer and she will work you through the whole process. Nitty gritty details, protocols, and numbers are below. Additionally, you may download a course catalogue for further intricacies.
Federal Direct Loan
Federal Direct Loans are low interest loans. For current interest rates and fees, please follow this link:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/federal-loan-programs.pdf
Repayment begins six (6) months after the borrower (student) graduates, drops below half-time studies, transfers, or withdrawals from a program.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized LoanS …
Are available to all qualified students attending ASAOM. Because these loans are not based on financial need, the student is responsible for all interest accrued on their loan. However, the student can opt to have the interest deferred and capitalized (we do not advocate this, but you should know your options) upon repayment.
The annual loan limit for graduate and professional students is $20,500. Final determination of a student’s annual Unsubsidized Direct Loan award is based on ASAOM’s annual cost of attendance minus other financial assistance (i.e. scholarships), for which the student may be eligible.
The aggregate loan limit for graduate and professional students is $138,500.
Federal Direct Loan Limits
Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: Annual Loan Limit
Graduate Loan Total: $20,500
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans: Aggregate Loan Limit
Loan Total: $138,500
If annual loan limits are exhausted, students may apply for a Grad PLUS loan. With this loan, a student may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any aid received under other financial assistance programs, including the Unsubsidized Direct Loan and scholarships. The Grad PLUS program is credit-based. For further information, please contact the Financial Aid Office or follow this link:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/federal-loan-programs.pdf
Loan Application
Prior to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA), students should request an FSA ID from U.S. Department of Education, here: www.fafsa.gov
An FSA ID is a username and password used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. The FSA ID identifies individuals who have the right to access the students own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. It should be kept in a safe place, as the same FSA ID is used each year the student applies for federal student assistance.
When you have created your new FSA ID, you should complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
ASAOM’s school code is: 036955
You may sign the FAFSA online using you FSA ID. Approximately one week after you have completed the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), via e-mail, from the federal processor. Review the information on the SAR for accuracy. If corrections need to be made, follow the instructions on the SAR.
The Award Letter given by FAFSA must be signed and returned to the Financial Aid Office in order for your financial aid to be processed. The award letter will inform you of what loan programs and loan amounts are available to you to assist in paying the cost of attendance.
*Please note that if you are applying for an Unsubsidized Loan, only one application is needed. However, a separate loan application is needed if you are also applying for a Grad Plus loan. All students who will be borrowing under the Federal Direct Loan Program must complete an Entrance Interview. No student loan funds will be disbursed until this has been completed.
Request a Federal Direct Loan at ASAOM
In order to request a Federal Direct Loan at ASAOM, the following requirements MUST be met prior to requesting a loan from the Financial Aid Office:
· Have a current application at ASAOM with application fees paid in full.
· Provide a list all colleges attended on the student application with official transcript(s) from all college(s) attended.
· Official Student Educational Plan (SEP) for Transfer Students: all official transcript(s) from all college(s) attended must be evaluated for transfer credit and basis of financial aid.
· Complete your FAFSA - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
· Complete your loan entrance interview online at www.studentloans.gov PRINT THE CONFIRMATION PAGE AND RETURN IT TO THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.
· Sign your Master Promissory Note online at www.studentloans.gov PRINT AND RETURN TO THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.
Withdrawal from the Program and Federal Financial Aid
Return to Title IV (R2T4): According to federal regulations (34CFR 668.22), a federal student aid recipient who withdraws from ASAOM is subject to a standard Return of Title IV calculation to determine the amount of federal aid that the student and school are eligible to retain. Any federal aid amount that is considered “unearned” according to the student’s withdrawal date must be returned to the original aid source (i.e. Direct Loans).
Earning Federal Student Aid Funds: The standard calculation for Return of Return of Title IV funds requires ASAOM to first determine the number of scheduled clock hours in the student’s financial aid “payment period” from the payment period start date until and including the hours in student’s last date of recorded attendance. The school then calculates those hours as a percentage of the total number of hours in the payment period. If scheduled hours through the student’s last date of attendance comprise more than 60% of the payment period, 100% of Title IV aid for the payment period is considered as earned. If 60% or fewer of scheduled hours occurred through the last date of attendance, the R2T4 calculation will dictate the amount of federal student aid which must be returned to the Direct Loan Program. Direct Loan funds are returned in the following order : Grad PLUS (if applicable), Unsubsidized Direct Loan.
ASAOM is required to return Direct Loan funds which have been applied to a student’s account in the amount determined by the R2T4 calculation. Any amount returned by the school according to the R2T4 calculation will be credited to a student’s Direct Loan awarded and disbursed for the payment period, thereby reducing the student’s total indebtedness. If additional funds that have been released directly to the student are unearned according to the R2T4 calculation, the student may pay these funds back to the Direct Loan program under the original terms and conditions of the loan.
R2T4 requirements are separate from the ASAOM institutional refund policy, which can be found in the ASAOM Catalogue on page 30. When the R2T4 calculation is complete and federal aid funds are returned, a student may still be responsible for an account balance for tuition and fees due to ASAOM, according to the institutional refund policy. Payment arrangements may be made with the ASAOM Fiscal Office.