FUNDING YOUR GRADUATE DEGREE
We understand that affordability plays an important part in the decision to pursue a graduate degree. At UVA School of Architecture, we aim to provide enough information and assistance to help guide you through your decision-making process and assess the value of your degree. Here you will find relevant information about tuition, an estimated cost of attendance, funding resources, and the types of departmental aid we offer.
PLEASE NOTE: The information below pertains to master’s students. Undergraduate students should refer to the Student Financial Services website; doctoral students should refer to the PhD Handbook
TUITION + FEES
The University Board of Visitors sets tuition and fees annually. VIEW APPROVED TUITION + FEE RATES.
UVA's Office of Student Financial Services provides the ESTIMATED GRADUATE COST OF ATTENDANCE which includes an estimate of living expenses, books and supplies. The Estimated Graduate Cost of Attendance can be added to the tuition and fees to calculate an overall estimate of the total Cost of Attendance for one academic year.
Graduate students may be eligible for the following types of funding:
INCOMING STUDENT MERIT AID
All graduate applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships by the School of Architecture as part of the application review process. There are no additional aid applications necessary for entering graduate students. Admitted students selected to receive merit aid are notified in their offer of admission letters. Merit aid awarded at the time of admission is guaranteed for the duration of the recipient’s period of study provided the student maintains full-time enrollment and good academic standing.
ADMISSION-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Interested applicants may apply for the following scholarships through the graduate admission application. Please refer to the GRADUATE ADMISSION instructions for detailed information about Admission-Based Scholarships.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION SCHOLARSHIPS
The Edward Wayne Barnett and Audrey Spencer-Horsley Diversity, Equity + Inclusion (DEI) Scholarships support the School of Architecture’s commitment to expanding access to education and professional development. Applicants may apply for one of the DEI scholarships by responding to an optional essay prompt in the graduate application.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION CERTIFICATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Applicants who are interested in pursuing the Historic Preservation Certificate (HPC) may apply for an HPC scholarship by responding to an optional essay prompt in the graduate application.
CONTINUING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Continuing students (students who have completed at least one semester of their graduate program) in the School of Architecture may apply for additional scholarships and fellowships that are awarded annually through a competitive application process. Continuing students should visit the SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIP + AWARDS page to learn more.
FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents may also APPLY FOR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID by submitting the FAFSA. Federal financial aid is funding from the U.S. Department of Education and is administered at UVA by Student Financial Services Graduate students are awarded federal aid in the form of loans and/or work study.
FEDERAL LOANS
Graduate student loans are not need-based; all graduate students who are eligible for federal aid may accept up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loans and a Graduate PLUS loan for up to the difference between the student’s total Cost of Attendance and any other funding (including Direct Student Loans and Departmental Aid). Please see 2023-2024 Academic Year Loans for Graduate Students for details regarding graduate loans.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY
Graduate students who demonstrate financial need may also be considered for Federal Work-Study eligibility (FWS) upon request. To be considered for FWS, choose this option on the FAFSA. Annual award amounts can be up to $5,000 for graduate students. Visit the Student Financial Service website for additional details about FEDERAL WORK-STUDY.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
The UVA School of Architecture provides its students with opportunities to apply for paid assistantships (instructor assistants, research assistants, and staff assistants). Detailed information about the student hiring process, scope of work, compensation, and more is available on the STUDENT ASSISTANTSHIP POSITIONS + OPPORTUNITIES webpage.
Please note that some positions are restricted to students who qualify for Federal Work-Study (FWS). FWS is federal financial aid that is based on financial need and must be earned through student employment.
The Director of Financial Aid oversees the awarding process for Departmental Aid in the School of Architecture, promotes upcoming scholarship and fellowship opportunities, and is available to help students navigate the financial aid process. Prospective, admitted, and continuing students are encouraged to contact the Director of Financial Aid with any questions related to tuition and funding.