What You Need To Know
UCA provides generous support to nearly all of its students. The actual cost of educating one student at UCA annually is approximately US $24,000. However, the UCA Board of Trustees (BOT) has graciously approved charging students $8,000 per year, per student ($5,000 for tuition and $3,000 for boarding and lodging). UCA is committed to sharing the cost of education with every student who is admitted. Student tuition represents a fraction of the total cost of attendance: over 70 percent of the cost per student is subsidized by UCA for the vast majority of students. Moreover, UCA offers a combination of merit scholarships, need-based and special purpose grants, and interest-free loans to make university education accessible to all, irrespective of ability to pay.
Students are admitted to UCA based on a needs-blind policy and are eligible to apply for financial aid. Once students submit their financial aid applications, they undergo a careful review by the Student Finance Office (SFO). The SFO then provides its recommendations on individual financial aid applications to the UCA Financial Aid Awards Committee (FAAC), which comprises ten individuals, including external members of the university. The FAAC reviews the recommendations and determines the final financial aid package for each student. It is important to note that all students are fully aware of and acknowledge their financial responsibility before accepting the admission offer from the university.
Some key points to remember:
- The SFO confirms the amount of scholarship, need-based grant, student loan, and self-contribution to every student before the beginning of each academic year.
- The self-contribution amount shall be payable in two equal installments by the respective dates listed in the schedule of installments. To remain in “Good Financial Standing,” a student must clear his/her dues by the specified date.
- If a student believes that they will be unable to pay the specified amount, they have the option to file an appeal once per academic year.
- Any student not clearing dues by the specified date shall be considered to be in “Poor Financial Standing,” and a “Financial Hold” shall be placed on the student’s account.
if “Financial Hold” is placed on the student account:- The access to the academic portals will be removed and will not be enrolled in the courses.
- The student shall not be issued a certificate/diploma/degree parchment, official transcript, interim transcript, reference and recommendation letters, or any other “University-owned” documentation.
- The student shall not be eligible to participate in off-campus extra-curricular activities, which are financially supported by the University, such as conferences, recreational trips, among others.
- The IT team will block the student’s computer account except for his/her university email account.
- Upon receipt of payment by the SFO the “Academic Hold” will be removed and the student will be placed again on “Good Financial Standing.”
What You Need To Do
- Ensure that within four weeks of any change in contact details, e.g., postal address, email address, phone number, etc., an email is sent to the Student Finance Office.
- If a student does not receive a letter for repayment of a loan before the due date as indicated in the Repayment Schedule from the Scholarships and Financial Aid Office, the student is expected to immediately contact the Student Finance Office.
- Repay her/his student loan to the University on or before the due date as per the Repayment Schedule.
- Once the sanctions have been imposed, the student must promptly settle her/his outstanding dues within two weeks to avoid further sanctions.
- In case of withdrawal from the Programme, immediately repay the Outstanding Student Loan including accrued administrative charges up to the date of withdrawal. University at its sole discretion may allow a grace period for the repayment on a case-to-case basis.