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Cost of Tuition
Financial Wellness Center
Attending graduate school is a big decision and one that has financial obligations and risks associated with it. It is important to do your research and be realistic about the full cost associated with graduate school including tuition and living expenses as well as what sources you have to cover them. Below are some resources to help guide your financial planning for graduate school. GradSense provides current and prospective graduate students with financial planning information about a range of topics, including the cost and value of pursuing an advanced degree. GradSense is an initiative of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS).
Make a Budget
Creating a personal budget as a graduate student is essential for effectively managing limited financial resources and minimizing stress associated with money. A well-structured budget aids in tracking expenses, prioritizing needs over wants, and ensuring that tuition fees, living costs, and other essentials are covered. It fosters financial discipline and helps you make informed decisions about spending and saving, ultimately allowing you to focus on your studies without the burden of financial uncertainty. Developing these budgeting skills during this pivotal time lays a strong foundation for lifelong financial literacy and long-term stability.
Cost of Attendance, Tuition & Fees
Cost of Attendance
The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides estimates for cost of attendance beyond tuition and fees that include housing, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.
Graduate Student Cost of Attendance
Law Student Cost of Attendance
Tuition & Fees
The cost of tuition varies based on program, residency status and the number of credits you are enrolled in.
Interactive Tuition & Fee Calculator
Review the interactive tuition spreadsheet to determine the specific tuition for your program and residency status.
- To access the most accurate information from be sure to select the correct field from the drop-down menus:
- Select Program: look closely as there are programs with similar titles
- Residency Status: (most international students are classified as Non-Resident)
- Term: note that summer tuition is different from regular academic terms: fall, winter, and spring
- Program Length: Make sure to multiply the term tuition & fee rate by the length of your program to accurately calculate the total cost of your program.
- Block Tuition Rate: note that it is the same tuition rate when you are enrolled in 9-16 credits.
- Full-time enrollment: for graduate students is consider 9-credits per term, which is a requirement for maintaining legal status while in the US. More information on maintaining legal status in the US can be found on the International Student Scholar Services website.
A Few Things Past Graduate Students Wished They had Known...
Cost of Housing. Do your research about the typical range of rent for different housing options. Weigh the costs and benefits of living close to campus and paying more for rent, versus living farther and needing to compute and potential pay for parking.
Cost of Childcare. If you have children, there are childcare subsidies for graduate students, however there is still a significant cost associated with it.
What a GE salary can cover. The salary associated with a GE varies depending on the Full-time Equiviancy (FTE) and may not be enough to cover the costs of living. Even a .49 (the highest GE appointment) is designed for an individual's living expenses.
Summer Reality. Not all graduate programs have funding for graduate students over the summer. This is an important thing to clarify with your program and be able to plan for. See our Summer Reality section for more information.
Funding varies by program. It is important to research and discuss the funding available from your program early on and be okay to ask the hard questions. It is better to know what they can and can’t offer you early on.
Read the fine print of what different types of funding can be used for. Some scholarships can only go towards tuition. Things like the Graduate Student Assistance Fund can not go towards tuition.
Scholarships. In the US, most scholarships are taxed and are applied to your Student Billing account. So if you have outstanding tuition or fees, the scholarship funds will cover these first and then the remainder will come to you.
Scholarships
Division of Graduate Studies
The Division of Graduate Studies (DGS) administers a range of annual fellowships and research awards for graduate students.
Division of Graduate Studies Scholarships
University of Oregon Scholarships, Fellowships, and Awards
University-wide scholarships are offered centrally through the University of Oregon (UO) Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Many individual UO schools and departments also offer scholarships to students studying a specific major or discipline.
International Student Scholar Services
The International Student Scholar Services (ISSS) offers scholarships, awards and financial aid resources for international students and scholars.
Employment Opportunities & Limitations
As international graduate students, there are many opportunities to gain professional experience and earn an income while you are studying, both on-campus and off-campus. It is very important to fully understand the regulations and work limitations associated with your visa and country of residence to ensure your eligibility to be a student is not compromised. If your program includes an internship, it is recommended to consult with ISSS to ensure you will be able to participate as some industries have international regulations. ISSS is a great resource for any employment related questions.
Internatioanl Student Employment
Graduate Employee Positions
Graduate Employee (GE) is the term used at the University of Oregon for teaching, research, and administrative graduate assistantships. Our GEs receive a competitive compensation package that includes:
- a monthly salary
- full-time tuition waiver & mandatory fees subsidy
- health insurance premium coverage
- subsidized health insurance premium coverage for dependents
- labor union representation
On-Campus & Off-Campus Employment
F-1 Students
On-Campus Employment
International students are eligible to work on-campus on a part-time basis up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Work authorization is not required for on-campus employment.
Off-Campus Employment
Curricular Practical Training (CPT): work authorization allows F1 international students to work off-campus in an internship or job directly related to their major while studying.
Optional Practical Training (OPT): work authorization allows F1 international students to work in the U.S. for 1 year after graduation, and an additional 2 years for STEM majors.
J-1 Students and their J-2 Spouses
On-Campus Employment
J-1 students must be approved and granted work authorization by International Student & Scholar Services for any student employment at the UO.
Off-Campus Employment
Academic Training: is the name the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program uses for employment, training or practical experience related to your field of study.
J-2 Work Authorization: Spouses in J-2 status may request employment authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Work Hours, Stipends & Honoraria
The University of Oregon International Student & Scholar Services has collaborated with Business Affairs Tax Services and General Counsel to clarify the differences between work hours and stipends.
Work hours is time spent as an employee in the performance of specific tasks and duties as outlined by an employer (the UO). Payment is compensation for work and the completion of specific services within a specific time. If a student employee has multiple on-campus jobs, the total hours worked for all jobs cannot exceed 20 hours a week while school is in session and up to 40 hours a week when classes are not in session.
Understand being paid for your work
Plan ahead for the summer: Summer Reality.
Other Options for Financing your Education
Financing the costs of a degree program in the U.S. can be challenging. Below are some scholarship and financing resources to assist you in funding your studies at the University of Oregon. The University of Oregon is providing this information simply as a resource and are not endorsing these companies and websites. You are responsible for doing your own research on scholarship and financing opportunities and making your own choice to apply.
External Scholarships
Division of Graduate Studies ISSS Pivot Funding Database
Loans from Private Lenders
The UO does not recommend private lenders to any student, including international students. Private loans are a risky way to finance your education as they are more like credit cards than student loans and typically have high interest rates.
Refer to the Office of Student Financial Aid's website on tips when selecting a private lender to learn more about private loans.
Office of Student Financial Aid
Financial Wellness
The Financial Wellness Center is dedicated to creating a community of financially literate Ducks. They are here to help you feel empowered to take control of your financial future. Learn about money management, loans and borrowing, protecting your identity, and get access to financial planning resources.
The Office of Student Financial Aid also offers financial advising by appointment or during drop-in hours.
Graduate Employee Positions
If your primary source of income is your GE monthly salary, it is important to plan for the summer and confirm with your department if summer funding is included in your offer. If your position is only for fall, winter, and spring term, your last paycheck will be at the end of June, and then not again until the end of September (and these are only half-month stipends).
Department Research Funding
Some departments have funding available for summer research. Inquire with your department about availability and applications.
Summer Employment Options
Review your eligibility to work during the summer: On-Campus & Off-Campus Employment
UO Human Resources Temporary Employment Pool
Return to Home Country
Some students will choose to return to their home country where they may have a higher earning capacity than in the US. Be sure to consult ISSS to see if this option is a good fit for you.
In addition to the resources above, many programs offer department-specific award opportunities. Please contact your program directly to learn more.
When you arrive in Oregon you will need enough money for immediate expenses including hotels, food, and basic needs. If the University is paying you, it may take more than a month until you get your first paycheck. Do not bring large sums of cash. There are many safer options available. Contact your home country bank for details about the following:
- Traveler's Checks: The money is immediately available if checks are in U.S. dollars, and they can be replaced if lost or stolen. However, checks in large sums can be difficult to use. Checks in a foreign currency may be subject to exchange fees.
- ATMs: Cash is available immediately from ATMs. Exchange rates are good, but there may be a daily limit and fees for using the service.
- International Credit Cards: Money is available immediately and exchange rates are good. However, not all US stores and businesses accept international credit cards.
- Bank Checks/Drafts: These are useful for large sums of money, but funds are not available for three days to three weeks after deposit (depending on which bank is used).
- Wire transfers: This is the safest way to transfer money, but an account at a US bank must be opened first. There may be a fee for using the service.
Foreign Currency Exchange
Currency exchange facilities in the U.S. are less common than they are in many countries and changing money at U.S. banks can be quite expensive. The use of a debit card is highly recommended, especially as debit cards often give the best rate of exchange available. Some banks do exchange foreign money, but only if the currency is in notes, not in coins. The Eugene airport does not offer foreign currency exchange services. You should plan to convert your foreign currency at your international port-of-entry.
Opening a Bank Account
Upon arrival, you will want to open a bank account as soon as possible to keep your money in a secure location. In the U.S., you may use a combination of ATM, debit and credit cards, and online/app banking to make purchases and pay bills. You can open a U.S. bank account with a minimum of $100, your passport and your I-20 or DS-2019. Reliable banking options are available close by to campus.
Checking & Savings Accounts
We recommend that all students open a checking account to pay bills such as rent or utilities. Most checking accounts include an ATM / Debit card so you can withdraw money from your account and use it for purchases.
Working or have a GE position?
You can request that your salary be directly deposited into your checking account every month (a safe and convenient option). Be aware that some debit cards have credit card logos on them (such as Visa, MasterCard etc.) and can function like a credit card for purchases. However, the payment is drawn from your checking account directly.
Foreign Currency Exchange and Money Transfers
If you are planning to have money transferred or wired from abroad, be aware that there may be a delay of a few days or weeks before you can access your money. Inquire with the bank on wait times based on the type of deposit you will make.
Credit Cards
If you have no credit history in the U.S., it may be difficult to obtain a credit card. You can establish a credit history by obtaining a “Secure Credit Card” which will require you to deposit money for its usage. Within a few months of using the Secure Credit Card, you may be eligible for other credit cards. However, you may need a Social Security Number to be eligible to apply.
Paying Tuition & Fees
- The University of Oregon has partnered with Flywire to provide our international students with a secure payment method that simplifies the payment process. With Flywire, students can:
- Pay online from banks and countries around the world, usually in your home currency.
- Pay with accounts in your home country, in your currency for most countries.
- Offers payment methods like bank transfer, credit cards and e-payments (Alipay/PayPal) making the process familiar and easy for you.
- Avoid unnecessary bank fees and receive favorable foreign exchange rates.
- Track the progress of your payment anytime.
- Flywire’s multilingual customer support is available to help 24x7.
- Detailed instruction to be followed at the University of Oregon Flywire payment site.
Questions?
If you have any other questions, email us at gegradstudies@uoregon.edu. We look forward to speaking with you!