Tuition and financial aid
Paying for college with financial aid
Financial aid is money or funding that can help you cover college-related expenses such as:
- Tuition.
- Books.
- Course fees.
Most students are eligible for some form of financial aid no matter what their family's income. Federal financial aid can include:
- Pell grants.
- Scholarships.
- Loans.
- Work-study.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year to find out how much federal financial aid they are eligible for.
Learn more including deadlines and how to submit the FAFSA.
In addition to completing the FAFSA to obtain federal financial aid, you can also seek out other forms of aid, such as scholarships, using the ASU scholarship portal.
To see the total cost of attendance, visit tuition.asu.edu/cost.
A ‘Best Value’ College
ASU was named a 'Best Value' college based on academic rigor, affordability and career outcomes for graduates.
– Princeton Review, 2024
ASU graduates are among the world's most employable
A survey of international employers ranks ASU the No. 2 public and 13th overall university in the U.S., and No. 34 worldwide, for employable graduates — ahead of UCLA, Johns Hopkins and the University of Chicago.
– Global Employability University Ranking & Survey, 2024
Tuition cost by student type
College costs and financial aid can vary by student type. Determine your student profile below to get a more detailed look at what your costs and aid may look like.
First-year student from Arizona
I am a resident of Arizona, have graduated from a regionally accredited high school or have a GED, and have never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.
First-year student from another state
I am a resident of a state other than Arizona, have graduated from a regionally accredited high school, and have completed fewer than 12 transferable college credits post-high school.
Transfer student from Arizona
I am a resident of Arizona, have more than 24 transferable credits from another college or completed an associate degree or higher, or have completed an Arizona General Education Curriculum.
Transfer student from another state
I am a resident of a state other than Arizona, have more than 24 transferable credits from another college, or completed an associate degree or higher.
Graduate student
I have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited university in the U.S. or an equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an international institution.
International student
I am currently not a citizen, permanent resident or a refugee in the United States of America.
Military-connected or veteran student
I am currently active military, a veteran, or a military spouse or dependent, and a newly admitted first-year, transfer or graduate student at ASU.
Students share tips on paying for college
When it comes to paying for college, everyone’s story is different. Whether grants, loans, work-study or other aid programs, see how students fund their education, then check out some of the financial awards you could be eligible for and consider what works for you.
Frequently asked questions about cost and aid at ASU
How much does it cost to go to college?
The cost of going to college varies widely. Factors that can affect your cost of going to college include the tuition rate of the college you attend, whether it’s an in-state or out-of-state school, whether you live on campus, and what kind of financial aid package you receive. To get a good idea of what you can expect to pay at ASU, try our Net Price Calculator.
Who is eligible to receive financial aid?
Almost everyone is eligible to receive financial aid. If you think your family’s income is too high to qualify for financial aid, you might be surprised. And many scholarships are available, not only for students with financial need or with good grades, but also for students with special talents, interests or characteristics. It’s worth the time it takes to apply for any and all financial aid that you are eligible to receive.
Do I need to be admitted to a college before I can apply for financial aid?
Some forms of financial aid do not require you to be admitted to a college before you apply for the aid and others do. You can submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid before you are admitted to a college to find out what you are eligible to receive in federal grants, work-study and loans. Other forms of aid, such as ASU’s New American University Scholarship, require you to be admitted to the university before you can be considered for an award.
What are the eligibility criteria for getting federal financial aid?
To qualify for federal financial aid, you must meet several eligibility criteria including being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, having a valid Social Security number, demonstrating financial need, and being registered for Selective Service if you’re a male.
What is work-study?
Federal Work-Study is a federally funded program for students with financial need in which they can work to help pay for college. Students who qualify for Federal Work-Study do not automatically get placed in a job. They must apply for and be hired in a Federal Work-Study position before they can start receiving money for college.
What is merit aid?
Merit aid is aid that you receive based on things you do such as your academic performance, athletic skills or artistic accomplishments. ASU offers merit scholarships, including for outstanding academic performance. The New American University Scholarship has a range of award values, and you’ll be automatically considered for it upon admission to the university if you provide ASU with your ACT or SAT scores.