Estimated Program Costs

The following are approximate tuition and fees for the MPA program, based on the 2011-2012 academic year tuition rates. In general, the total cost of enrollment is determined by the student's residency status, program length and number of credit hours taken in each semester. The MPA program ranges from 36 to 42 semester credit hours, depending on the number of waivers granted for previous coursework completed. A twelve- to fifteen-hour schedule is a typical course load for an MPA student in any given semester.

The tuition bill is payable after registration and covers the student's academic program costs, including tuition, mandatory fees and charges and college and course incidental fees. It does not include the following:

• Refundable general property deposit fee ($10, a one-time charge to students enrolling for the first time at UT-Austin)
• International student health insurance program fee
• International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) support services fee ($100 per semester)
• Optional fees (such as the Longhorn All-Sports Package and parking permits)
• Late registration fees, installment plan service charge, late payment charges, etc., if applicable
• Study abroad program fees
• Books, supplies, housing and other living expenses*

*The Office of Student Financial Services provides an estimated UT cost of attendance, including room and board, transportation, and personal expenses, which is based upon averages approved by The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The figure may not correspond exactly to the cost of living in Austin. Actual expenses will vary, depending on your lifestyle and family status. Please note that the tuition rates posted on the OSFS website are general estimates only; refer to the chart above or the Office of Accounting's Tuition and Fee Rates page ["Professional (excluding Law) Tuition" chart] for accurate tuition information. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Financial Aid

Financial assistance programs are available to help with the costs of your MPA degree.

• Loan programs

  Federal loan programs provide a primary source of financial aid to domestic graduate business students. To be eligible to apply for federal financial aid, a student must be admitted to the MPA program, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be enrolled full-time for each semester that aid is received, and be in good scholastic standing (3.0 or better grade point average). The student must also have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Once you have completed the FAFSA and are admitted to the MPA program, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 512-475-6282 if you have any questions regarding the status of your financial aid.

• Scholarships

  MPA Merit Scholarships and Tuition Waivers

  Applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships at the time they are admitted to the MPA program. A scholarship application is not required. Merit scholarships are offered to admitted U.S. applicants who demonstrate a superior record of academic accomplishment in their application materials. In addition, out-of-state tuition waivers are awarded each year to high-achieving non-Texas residents. The MPA Program Office will notify admitted applicants who are awarded merit scholarships or out-of-state tuition waivers prior to their response deadlines.

  Fifth Year Accounting Scholarships

  The Fifth Year Accounting Scholarships are funded by additional license fees paid by Texas CPA's and are administered by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. Over their lifetime, students may receive a total of $5,000 or the amount of their demonstrated financial need (whichever is smaller). Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria: Texas residency, financial need, grade point average, and a commitment to take the CPA exam in Texas. All students applying for the scholarship will need to have a FAFSA on file at the Office of Student Financial Services and submit the Application of Intent to the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. The MPA Program Office distributes the application instructions and forms to students when funds become available; however, the MPA Program Office does not make the decision regarding who receives these scholarships.

  Other Accounting Scholarships

  Many organizations offer scholarships to encourage the pursuit of an accounting education. For example, the AICPA website provides a listing of several scholarship opportunities.

  Scholarships for Female Students

  The American Association of University Women offers fellowships, grants, and awards exclusively for women pursuing graduate degrees. Please visit the AAUW website for more information.

• Teaching Assistantships
  A limited number of graduate assistantship positions are available through individual academic departments across the campus. The available positions and hiring practices of these departments vary and are unrelated to the admissions process. Past employment patterns suggest that hiring preference is usually given to departmental doctoral students and/or continuing students. Interested students should request application information directly from the department(s) of their choice. For information about academic employment outside the Accounting Department, visit the Graduate School web page regarding student employment.

  In the  Accounting Department, graduate student employment is primarily limited to Teaching Assistant (TA) positions. A TA must be enrolled in at least 9 semester hours (3 hours in the summer session) and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. Appointments are usually for 10 hours per week. Assistantships do not qualify a non-Texas resident or an international student for in-state tuition. TA applications are available to admitted MPA applicants and current students on the Department of Accounting website. TA positions for the fall semester are typically assigned in the middle of the preceding summer session.

   
   

• Financial Aid for International Students

  International students are not eligible for federal loans or Accounting Department recruiting scholarships. Financial aid for international students is extremely limited and therefore should not be relied upon. International students should be prepared to meet all expenses, for a 42 credit hour program, from their own resources. Additional information about financial aid is available through International Student & Scholar Services.

  Private Loans

  Possible sources of financial aid include private loans, most of which require the international student to obtain a creditworthy U.S. citizen as a co-signer. Please note that these loan programs are not administered through The University of Texas at Austin.

  TOEFL Scholarship Program

  The TOEFL scholarship program is designed to award TOEFL test takers for achieving academic excellence, exhibiting leadership skills, performing extracurricular activities and demonstrating English communication proficiency. TOEFL scholarships are currently available in China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

  Tuition Assistance for Mexican Students

  TAMS is a waiver of non-resident tuition for a limited number of Mexican students who have demonstrated financial need or who are participating in a reciprocal exchange program. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, you must first be admitted to a degree program. For additional information, please visit International Student & Scholar Services. Questions? E-mail Angela Branigan in the International Office or call 512-471-2459.

  E.D. Farmer Fellowship

  Mexicans citizens who are currently studying or applying to a graduate program at UT-Austin and have studied at least two years at a Mexican university are eligible to apply for the E.D. Farmer Fellowship. Successful applicants will become eligible for in-state tuition and a monthly stipend for nine months, the amount of which will depend on available funds. For further information, please e-mail the Mexican Center or call 512-232-2423.

  Good Neighbor Scholarship

  Students holding residency status of any country in the Caribbean and North, Central, or South America (except the U.S. and Cuba) that have completed one semester of academic study on a valid non-resident visa and plan to return to their home country upon completion of the academic program may be eligible for additional financial aid. For more information, please visit International Student & Scholar Services. For additional questions, contact the International Office at 512-471-2477.

  Employment

  Students should not plan to support their studies through on- or off-campus employment. Students may be authorized to work part-time on campus after registration. Off-campus employment is restricted by regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Permission to work off-campus may be requested only after a student has been in the United States for 12 months and only when there has been an unanticipated change in financial status.

   

• Employment Opportunities

  Outside employment while enrolled as a full-time student is not recommended. If outside employment is a necessity, services are available to assist in the job search. These include: Hirealonghorn, UTemps, WorkInTexas.com and the classified ads in The Austin American-Statesman.

Financial Aid and Tuition FAQs

• How do I apply for federal financial aid?

  Information regarding the federal loan programs can be obtained through the Office of Student Financial Services. To be eligible to apply for financial aid, a student must be admitted to the MPA program at UT-Austin, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, be enrolled full time for each semester that aid is received, and be in good scholastic standing (3.0 or better grade point average). The student must also have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.

• How do I apply for departmental scholarships?

  Applicants are automatically considered for departmental scholarships after they are admitted to the MPA program. A scholarship application is not required. MPA merit scholarships are offered primarily to admitted U.S. applicants who demonstrate a superior record of academic accomplishment in their application materials. In addition,  a limited number of out-of-state tuition waivers are awarded each year to high-achieving non-Texas residents.

• How and when will I find out if I have been awarded a departmental scholarship?

  Scholarship decisions are made and awardees are notified via e-mail prior to the MPA admission response deadline.

• I am an international student. Will I be considered for departmental scholarships?

  International students are not eligible for U.S. federal loans or Department of Accounting recruiting scholarships and therefore should be prepared to meet all expenses, for up to a 42 credit hour program, from their own resources. Information regarding private loans and external scholarships is available on our financial aid website.

• How much is tuition? 
  

  Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis. Estimated program costs are available on the MPA website.

• How can I be considered as a Texas resident for tuition purposes?

  Detailed information about Texas residency can be found here. In addition, you may consult with the Residency Officer in the Graduate and International Admissions Center at: (512) 475-7391.

• How do I apply for a Teaching Assistant (TA) position?
  A very limited number of graduate assistantship positions are available through individual academic departments across campus. Interested students should request application information directly from the department(s) of their choice. Detailed information regarding TA positions in the Department of Accounting are available on our financial aid website.
• When will I find out if I have been awarded a TA position?

  Fall semester positions in the Department of Accounting are typically assigned during the preceding summer.