Of Interest to MAT Students

The summer-starting MAT program, although one calendar year long, actually spans two academic years. The first few weeks of the program during the summer occur towards the end of one academic year, and the remainder of the program occurs in the new academic year starting with the fall semester.

We recommend you submit financial aid applications for both academic years, if possible, to procure funding for the entire program.

Costs of Attendance

You can view an approximate budget for the MAT program here. It includes both university and living expenses.

With appropriate documentation, we can increase your budget by the cost of childcare needed while you are attending classes and the (limited) cost of a personal computer should you need to purchase one.

Sources of Funding

Scholarships

• Most (but not all) scholarships are good for the standard academic year, namely, the fall and spring semesters.
• See the scholarship pages under Types of Financial Aid

Federal Funds

• We encourage you to fill out two Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure complete coverage of financial aid over your entire program. You will need copies of your tax returns from two tax years and the UAS school code, 001065.
• UAS participates in the federal Stafford student loan program.
• The maximum that can be borrowed in an academic year is $18,500.

Alternative Loans

Generally more expensive than federal loans, alternative loans can help fill the gap between your costs of attendance and other aid awarded, such as scholarships and federal loans.

• Alaska Teacher Loan/Scholarship. These funds, available from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education, are issued as a loan, but up to 50% of the loan can be forgiven if you teach in a rural school district for at least 5 years after you graduate. Graduates of Alaskan High schools are eligible to apply.
• Other alternative loans
• The maximum that can be borrowed is the cost of attendance less other financial aid awarded.

Payment Plans

Payment plans are arrangements to pay university costs over a semester or a year.

Disbursement of Funds

In order to expedite disbursement, federal loan periods for summer-starting MAT students are certified as follows:

• Initial Summer: 50% disbursed at the beginning of the term, and 50% disbursed at the mid-term.
• Fall-Spring: 50% disbursed at the beginning of fall and 50% disbursed at the beginning of spring
• Final Summer: 50% disbursed at the beginning of the term, and 50% disbursed at the mid-term.

We will use this schedule if your fall costs are the same as your spring costs. If the costs for these terms are different, we will certify fall-only and spring-only loans, each with disbursements in two equal installments. Fall and spring semester costs may differ if you are a nonresident or if you seek a loan to purchase a computer. See your award letter or UAOnline for the term splits recommended for your loans.

For more information, see

• Disbursement Procedures

Resources for More Information

• The UAS Center for Teacher Education pages provide extensive information about the MAT degree programs.
• The federal student loan forgiveness program for teachers
• Loan consolidation. By consolidating your student loans, you can lock in an interest rate and make just one payment per month to one lender. Most, if not all, of the lenders who offer alternative loans also offer consolidated loans. Links to several lenders' websites are available on our Loans page.
• Check here for information on consolidating Direct Stafford loans you may have borrowed at other schools.