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Financing Your Education

The School of Public Affairs (SPA) understands that financing your graduate education can prove to be a challenge, which is why we recommend that admitted students explore and lever multiple sources of financial support. Please consider the overview of some of these sources in the table below and expect SPA to offer additional information to support you.

All admitted students for SPA's online degrees are encouraged to consult the Admitted Online Graduate Student Resources webpage (right navigation panel) that details relevant, upcoming initiatives to learn more, consider e-invitations to topical, virtual sessions related to financing, and, of course, to reach out directly with individual questions to spaonlinegrad@american.edu.

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Tuition, Fees, Living Expenses
Federal Loans

To begin, it is important to consult American University’s Graduate Online Programs 2026-2027 Cost of Attendance (COA) for the Master of Science in Counter-Terrorism and Homeland Security (CTHS). These important resources detail annualized direct costs (tuition and student fees) and indirect costs (estimates for living expenses). Please be mindful that SPA’s online master’s degrees are designed to be completed in two years.

A key advantage of pursuing an online SPA master’s degree is the flexibility offered to SPA students to flex their enrollments so they can take full advantage of the articulation between classroom learning and application in the workplace. This advantage results in exceptional professional outcomes for SPA master’s degree students as they transform into leaders who make meaningful contributions in all sectors of employment.

SPA realizes that students do not want to have to consider taking out loans of any kind or amount. This said, for domestic students, this is an important source of funding to consider in financing a graduate degree.

All domestic, prospective graduate students (only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for Federal aid) are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so they may learn of their Federal loan eligibility.  American University's FAFSA code is 001434. Please be mindful that Federal loans may be leveraged to help pay for outstanding tuition and student fees (direct costs) and, upon their payment in full, the loan monies may be refunded to help with living expenses (indirect costs).

Following your FAFSA submission (please allow 7-10 days for the submission to be transmitted to American University), the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) at American University will process and notify you of your Federal loan eligibility via email. Most often, a graduate student will qualify for close to $20,500 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans for each year of graduate study (two consecutive semesters and/or Summer terms). Please be mindful that the loan amount allocated in any given semester and/or Summer term will vary based on a student's enrollment.

Admitted online SPA graduate students are strongly encouraged to contact OFA at financialaid@american.edu or 202.885.6500 with any questions about Federal loan eligibility, disbursement, and refund processes.

American University and SPA will also host an array of topical virtual sessions ahead of each entry term (Fall, Spring, and Summer) to offer helpful information and guidance regarding financial aid. Admitted, online SPA students should consult the Admitted Online Graduate Student Resources page to survey the virtual session options and to register.

Additional Funding Resources

Still Have Questions?

Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions (OGA) at 202-885-3035 or spaonlinegrad@american.edu. We're here to help!