Special Programs - Office of Student Financial Aid

Some programs on campus (such as the Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice) require additional resources due to greater costs. To assist our students in these programs, the Office of Student Financial Aid is happy to provide this resource page and also answer any questions that these students may have.

Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program

The Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program is a 9 semester long program. Under MSU's Financial Aid Office, the program is considered a Special Program due to its cohort based and year-round structure.

The Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia's webpage includes an estimate of what the program will cost.

*COA is based on the Standard Graduate Level COA, including an additional program component that was calculated in cooperation with the programs Department Head*

2023 - 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups (Fall/Spring)
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	DNAP cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$7,476	$10,710	$800	$1,424	$3,170	$138	$29,405	$53,123
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$7,476	$9,724	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$29,405	$53,953
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$7,476	$5,314	$800	$3,240	$3,710	$138	$29,405	$49,543

Summer 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	DNAP cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$2,030	$2,380	$222	$356	$792	$38	$7,601	$13,419
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$2,030	$2,160	$222	$810	$792	$38	$7,601	$13,653
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$2,030	$1,180	$222	$810	$792	$38	$7,601	$12,673

Physician Assistant

The Physician Assistant Graduate Program is a 24 month long program. Under MSU's Financial Aid Office, the program is considered a Special Program due to its cohort based and year-round structure.

The Physician Assistant's webpage includes an estimate of what the program will cost.

*COA is based on the Standard Graduate Level COA, including an additional program component that was calculated in cooperation with the programs Department Head*

2023 - 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups (Fall/Spring)
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	PA cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$7,476	$10,710	$800	$1,424	$3,170	$138	$13,417	$37,135
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$7,476	$9,724	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$13,417	$37,965
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$7,476	$5,314	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$13,417	$33.555
Graudate, Non- Resident, On-Campus	$13,704	$10,710	$800	$1,424	$3,170	$138	$18,780	$48,726
Graudate, Non-Resident, Off Campus	13,704	$9,724	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$18,780	$49,556
Grad, Non-Relative With Relative	$13,704	$5,314	$800	$3,420	$3,170	$138	$18,780	$45,146

Summer 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	PA cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$2,030	$2,380	$222	$356	$792	$38	$4,440	$10,258
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$2,030	$2,160	$222	$810	$792	$38	$4,440	$10,492
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$2,030	$1,180	$222	$810	$792	$38	$4,440	$9,512
Graudate, Non- Resident, On-Campus	$3,760	$2,380	$222	$356	$792	$38	$6,170	$13,718
Graudate, Non-Resident, Off Campus	$3,760	$2,160	$222	$810	$792	$38	$6,170	$13,952
Grad, Non-Relative With Relative	$3,760	$1,180	$222	$810	$792	$38	$6,170	$12,972

Physical Therapy

The Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program is a 9 semester long program. Under MSU's Financial Aid Office, the program is considered a Special Program due to its cohort based and year-round structure.

The Physical Therapy's webpage includes an estimate of what the program will cost.

*COA is based on the Standard Graduate Level COA, including an additional program component that was calculated in cooperation with the programs Department Head*

2023 - 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups (Fall/Spring)
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	PT cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$7,476	$10,710	$800	$1,424	$3,170	$138	$11,763	$35,481
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$7,476	$9,724	$800	$3240	$3,170	$138	$11,763	$36,311
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$7,476	$5,314	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$11,763	$31,901
Graudate, Non- Resident, On-Campus	$13,704	$10,710	$800	$1,424	$3,170	$138	$17,299	$47,245
Graudate, Non-Resident, Off Campus	$13,704	$9,724	$800	$3,420	$3,170	$138	$17,299	$48,075
Grad, Non-Relative With Relative	$13,704	$5,314	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$17,299	$43,665

Summer 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	PT cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$2,030	$2,380	$222	$356	$792	$38	$3,003	$8,821
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$2,030	$2,160	$222	$810	$792	$38	$3,003	$9,055
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$2,030	$1,180	$222	$810	$792	$38	$3,003	$8,075
Graudate, Non- Resident, On-Campus	$3,760	$2,380	$222	$356	$792	$38	$4,837	$12,385
Graudate, Non-Resident, Off Campus	$3,760	$2,160	$222	$810	$792	$38	$4,837	$12,619
Grad, Non-Relative With Relative	$3,760	$1,180	$222	$810	$792	$38	$4,837	$11,639

Occupational Therapy

The Masters of Occupational Therapy Program is a 7 semester long program. Under MSU's Financial Aid Office, the program is considered a Special Program due to its cohort based and year-round structure.

The Occupational Therapy's webpage includes an estimate of what the program will cost.

*COA is based on the Standard Graduate Level COA, including an additional program component that was calculated in cooperation with the programs Department Head*

2023 - 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups (Fall/Spring)
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	OT cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$7,476	$10,710	$800	$1,424	$3,170	$138	$10,878	$34,596
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$7,476	$9,724	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$10,878	$35,426
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$7,476	$5,314	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$10,878	$31,016
Graudate, Non- Resident, On-Campus	$13,704	$10,710	$800	$1,424	$3,170	$138	$13,231	$43,177
Graudate, Non-Resident, Off Campus	$13,704	$9,724	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$138	$13,231	$44,007
Grad, Non-Relative With Relative	$13,704	$5,314	$800	$3,240	$3,170	$156	$13,231	$39,597

Summer 2024 Common Cost of Attendance (COA) Groups
Student Category	Tuition & Fees	Food & Housing	Books & Supplies	Transportation	Personal Expenses	Loan Fees	OT cohort additional component	Total
Graduate, Resident, On-Campus	$2,030	$2,380	$222	$356	$792	$38	$2,306	$8,124
Graduate, Resident, Off- Campus	$2,030	$2,160	$222	$810	$792	$38	$2,306	$8,358
Graduate, Resident, With Relative	$2,030	$1,180	$222	$810	$792	$38	$2,306	$7,378
Graudate, Non- Resident, On-Campus	$3,760	$2,380	$222	$356	$792	$38	$2,998	$8,816
Graudate, Non-Resident, Off Campus	$3,760	$2,160	$222	$810	$792	$38	$2,998	$10.780
Grad, Non-Relative With Relative	$3,760	$1,180	$222	$810	$792	$38	$2,998	$8,070

What is it Going to Cost?

Understanding the Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance, occasionally referred to as COA or budget, is an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for a period of enrollment (typically an academic year). The Department of Education requires that all institutions with students utilizing federal aid, establish a COA prior to awarding and disbursing financial aid funds.

Our COA is determined annually based on average expenses Missouri State students incur while completing their programs of study. Each special program has a different COA. It is important to keep in mind that the COA is not necessarily reflective of how much it will cost you to attend Missouri State.

The COA is comprised of various estimated components including:

Tuition & Fees
Housing & Meals
Books & Supplies
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Direct Loan Fees

Your actual costs at Missouri State will be determined by factors such as: the number of hours enrolled in per semester (tuition), if you take out loans (Direct Loan Fees), and whether you live on-campus or commute from home (housing costs and transportation costs).

How is COA Used?

The COA serves as the ceiling on how much financial aid you are eligible to be awarded. Federal regulations require that a student’s award package not exceed COA (or budget). For this reason, when we are developing your COA we want to make sure it is as comprehensive but accurate as possible.

How do I Pay for It?

Federal Aid - Unsubsidized Loans

When you are accepted into your program and you fill out your FAFSA, you automatically qualify for a set amount (Graduate students typically qualify for $20,500) of unsubsidized loans. Unsubsidized loans are student loans taken out through the federal government, that has interest accruing while you are in college, but typically has a lower interest rate then loans through private lenders (banks, and companies).

You will not have to start paying these backs until after your 6 month grace period has ended (typically 6 months after graduation or if you stop attending).
The interest rate for the loan is fixed for the school year (07/1/2024-06/30/2025). The interest rate for the Graduate Direct Unsubsidized Loans for the 2023/2024 school year is 8.08%.

Additional Aid

Graduate PLUS Loan

Graduate students are initially offered Unsubsidized Stafford Loans up-to their annual cost of attendance. However, for students in these special programs the annual Unsubsidized Loan limit of $20,500 can be insufficient in covering all program costs. To compensate for any funding gaps students may apply for a Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, up-to their annual cost of attendance.

Calculate the Amount: Loan amount may not exceed the student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Students are able to calculate their max amount available by taking the COA minus awarded aid (unsubsidized loans/scholarships).
Interest rates: Current interest rates can be found at studentaid.gov. The 2024-2025 interest rate is 9.08%.
Repayment: Interest is charged from the first disbursement date, and repayment on both interest and principal begins 60 days after the final loan disbursement for the academic year. You may defer repayment while you are enrolled at least half-time status.
Qualifications: PLUS Loans are granted to graduate and professional degree-seeking students who have good credit history. You must have applied for your annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Programs before applying for this loan.
Application: You must complete your FAFSA, a Direct PLUS Loan Application, Direct PLUS Loan Entrance Counseling, a Master Promissory Note and fill out the MSU Grad PLUS loan form.

Alternative Loans

An alternative option to cover any funding gaps between the annual graduate student Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit of $20,500 and program cost of attendance, many students choose to apply for Alternative, or Private, Loans.

Amount: Varies. Alternative loans are private loans designed to help student with educational expenses that exceed other available assistance.
Interest rates: The interest rate varies by loan provider.
Repayment: Varies by loan.
Qualifications: Your eligibility is based on credit approval.
Application: You can apply online for alternative loans. You should only apply for alternative loans after all federal loan program eligibility has been exhausted.

Budget Adjustments

Adjustments can be made to a student's standard budget if the student's program requires participation in events (i.e. Clinical Rotations) which result in costs not already allocated in the standard budget. Please note that special academic programs such as PA, OT, PT, DSS, and DNAP have additional program expense components already factored into participating students' standard budgets. Common budget adjustments include but are not limited to:

Cost of transportation to-and-from clinical sites
Cost of child care expenses (i.e. daycare providers)
Cost of program books and supplies which exceeds allocation already allowed in standard budget components

To request a budget adjustment students must provide a completed and signed copy of one of the Budget Increase Request Forms accompanied by supporting documentation. Supporting documentation can include receipts, order confirmations, invoice statements, MapQuest mileage printouts, etc.

The Budget Adjustment form will be available for the semester two weeks after the start of the semester. The form (and all correct supporting documents) are due two weeks before the end of the semester. The deadline for the semester is listed at the bottom of the form.

2024/2025 Budget Increase Form (Coming in September)
2024/2025 Budget Increase Form: Childcare Expenses (Coming in September)

Frequently Asked Questions

Every year the MSU Foundation Annual Scholasrhip Application opens on November 1st. This application is for the following academic year and closes on March 1st. It is a great opportunity for new and continuing students. Students must be admitted to MSU in order to access and complete this scholarship application. This one application will apply you toward nearly 1,000 different scholarships.

Graduate Assistantships are available based on availability and eligibility. If a Special Program students receives a Graduate Assistantship, they must inform their Financial Aid Counselor, as this may effect their Financial Aid Award Package.
Students will not be able to make an appointment with their counselor during for the first two weeks of each semester. Students should expect delays in processing and responses during peak processing times. Forms and FAFSA's should be completed by the priority deadline.

Allow a two week processing time for all forms. During peak processing times, expect a three week processing time frame.
Contact Financial Services if you have questions regarding your Missouri State bill, direct deposit of financial aid funds, student refunds, the deferred payment plan or payments.
To adjust your loans that you have already accepted or declined, you will need to fill out an adjustment form. Adjustment forms are found on the Financial Aid Forms Page. Please submit this form electronically.
The FAFSA goes by school year. You will want to fill out the FAFSA for the year that you will be enrolled in your program. If your program starts in summer, you will need to fill out the FAFSA for the previous year, as summer is attached to the school year before
- Ex) Starting Summer 2025
  - Fill out the 24-25 FAFSA for the Summer 2025 term
  - Fill out the 25-26 FAFSA for the Fall 25, Spring 26, and Summer 26 term.

Resources

Special Programs Presentation: Orientation

Contact

Office of Student Financial Aid

Telephone: 417-836-5262
Relay Missouri: 711 or 800-735-2966
Email: FinancialAid@missouristate.edu
Address: Missouri State University
Office of Financial Aid
901 S. National Ave
Springfield, MO 65897

Contact