Tuition & Fees

SSA makes every effort to help students by offering exceptional scholarship assistance as well as facilitating other forms of financial assistance. Each year, SSA awards scholarships that range from full to partial tuition. Last year, 95 percent of master's students received merit- and need-based tuition scholarship/gift aid. The Schedule of Fees and Estimate of Expenses do not include scholarships or other forms of financial assistance, so the difference between the total amount listed and the amount a student might pay may be less.

Tuition 2018-19

Estimate of Expenses

The following is an estimate of expenses that a domestic (U.S.) student in the full-time master's program or doctoral student in scholastic residence will incur during the course of the 2018-19 school year (based on a nine-month budget with a modest standard of living). International students should contact the Admissions Office for guidance on estimating expenses.

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Schedule of Fees

All payments of tuition and fees must be completed by the due date indicated on the bill from the Office of the Bursar. If a student has not paid any account in full that is due to the University by the end of the billing cycle, restriction of further privileges or services may follow.

1. Application fee: $75 
   (This fee must accompany the original online application for admission to the University. No part of this fee is either refunded or applied as an advance payment on other fees.) 
2. CTA (Chicago Public Transportation) U-Pass (for students in full-time programs only; per quarter for 3 quarters): $100
3. Advance reservation deposit: $250 
   (Credited to Autumn quarter tuition, or Summer Quarter for Advanced Standing students) 
4. University Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP): 
1. Basic Plan (student only): $4,398
5. Student Life fee (each quarter): $403
6. Dependent Life Fee (assessed each quarter - a dependent spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child age 14 and older is insured through U-SHIP) per quarter: $316
7. Special service fee: 
1. One-time Lifetime Transcript Fee: $75
8. Late fees: 
1. Late payment of fees: $150
2. Late registration: $150
3. Change in registration: up to $150
   (A fee is charged for each change in registration made by a student after the officially scheduled change period (fourth week of quarter) unless caused by the University.)