Tuition, fees, and financial aid

Tuition is charged by the course, and is calculated on a per-credit basis. While most courses are 3 credits, course credit values range from 0 to 9 credits. Check the credit value of the course you want to take in the information box at the top of the course page. Students’ Union and Alumni Relations fees are included in undergraduate tuition fees.

Calculate your course cost

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Undergraduate programs

For undergraduate programs, tuition is also charged by the course. There are no per-semester or per-program fees for these programs - simply pay for courses as you register for them.

Estimate your program fees

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Other undergraduate fees

A number of other academic or administration fees may also apply to you, depending on your courses and circumstances. These can include items like:

• Laboratory fees
• Transfer credit and prior learning evaluation fees
• Course extension fees

View the complete list of other academic fees

Graduate program fees vary, depending on the credential and faculty chosen. However, all programs have an application fee, and most require an admission fee after you’re accepted into the program. Graduate tuition fees also include the Athabasca University Graduate Students’ Association (AUGSA)

While all programs have academic or administration fees that may or may not apply to you depending on your circumstances, some programs might also require additional program or course related fees. You will find details of all additional fees on each program’s fees page.

As with our undergraduate programs, fees are different for students who live outside Canada, review your program’s fee descriptions carefully to make sure you’re getting the information that applies to you.

Western Deans' Agreement

If you’re a student at a western Canadian university, the Western Canadian Deans’ Agreement could apply to you. Under this agreement, graduate students paying normal required tuition fees to their home institution will not pay tuition fees to the host institution. However, student activity fees may be charged.

Graduate course fees

Some graduate programs allow students to take a course or two as non-program students. Tuition is charged on a per-course basis, and varies from program to program. A non-program application fee may also apply. To see the tuition fees associated with a particular program, please see the list below.

Arts

• Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)
• Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management
• Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting

Business

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
  
• Graduate Diploma in Management
• Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management

Counselling

• Master of Counselling
• Graduate Diploma in Counselling
• Post-Masters Certificate in Counselling

Distance education

• Doctor of Education (EdD) in Distance Education
• Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd)
• Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
• Graduate Diploma in Instructional Design
• Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design
• Graduate Certificate in Technology-Based Learning

Nursing & health

• Master of Health Studies
• Master of Nursing – Generalist
• Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Masters Diploma: Nurse Practitioner

Science & technology

• Master of Science in Information Systems (MScIS)
• Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management
• Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
• Graduate Certificate in Information Security
• Graduate Diploma in Architecture

AU recommends paying your fees online.

To avoid duplication of charges or processing:

• Do not mail original documentation after you have registered by fax.
• Do not fax requests that you have already submitted using AU's online system.

Online payment

When you become a student or register for a course online through myAU, you can pay by debit card (Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, or Interac) or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa). Please note that Interac is only available to clients of TD, and select credit unions. Students who do not wish to pay the convenience fee and who do not bank with TD can apply for a no-fee debit VISA or Debit MasterCard from most Canadian banks.

Interact Online is only available to clients of TD, and select credit unions.

E-transfer (requires manual submission of printable application)

When you register using printable form you can now pay by e-transfer directly to Athabasca University.

Step 1:

• Email your printable form to enrol@athabascau.ca.

Step 2:

E-transfer funds to Athabasca University. This can be done by sending the e-transfer to finar@athabascau.ca with the following information in the message field:

• Your unique 7-digit Athabasca University student ID number (if a current student)
• Your full name (required in the event the e-transfer is coming from someone other than yourself, or if you have not yet completed your General Application Form)
• Type of fee you are paying for (course fee, application fee, etc.)
• Course name and number you are paying for (if applicable)
• Email address and phone number (to contact you if necessary)
• If you have questions, email finar@athabascau.ca for assistance.

Cheque or money order

If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, you must submit your application or course registration by mail. Returning students, please write your student ID number on the cheque.

• Undergraduate General Application Form
• Undergraduate Course Registration Form

Refunds

Course fees are refundable within 30 days of the course start date, though a withdrawal processing fee will apply. Both undergraduate and graduate application fees are non-refundable:

• More information on undergraduate refunds

If you are planning to attend AU and apply for government student financial aid, there is important information for you to know;

Please start with our short informational video in the Financial Aid section of the Support Services website, which outlines the full time funding application process.

Prior to applying for government student financial aid the following needs to be in place:

• Become an AU student or already be one: Enrolment Services - Admissions
• Applied and received acceptance into your desired program of study: Undergraduate programs
• Evaluation completed if requested: Transfer credit
• Review AU’s Learner Support Services (Counselling Services, Advising Services and Access to Students with Disabilities)
• Complete the Full-Time Readiness Assessment provided by AU’s Counselling Services

There are specific definitions and course load requirements for full-time and part-time students applying for financial assistance.

Use our Financial Aid Self-Help Tool to get information specific to your situation!

Athabasca University’s student awards program recognize a variety of achievements and support students in financial need. Criteria varies for different awards, but generally, in order to qualify you must successfully complete at least one AU course and be in an AU program of study. We do not offer entrance scholarships.

Scholarships

AU scholarships generally have a minimum academic achievement requirement and are available for students at all levels of study:

• Undergraduate (including certificates and diplomas)
• Master’s (including certificates and diplomas)
• Doctoral

Awards

AU awards can be a hybrid of academic achievement, balancing academics with family, career, volunteerism and/or community roles.

Bursaries

AU also has several bursaries for students facing financial need. Bursaries are intended to help those students who need it most, so all bursaries require an application.

Check out Application Awards Each of these awards requires the submission of an application form and in some cases a reference letter. Details are within each award description.

Check out Nomination Awards Each of these awards is focussed on your demonstrated academic standing based on the specific criteria. Your student record is automatically considered on an annual basis. An application form is not required.

In addition to the many AU awards available, our Student Awards site provides links to a number of external awards that may benefit you.