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financial cost

Cost & Scholarships

Understanding Costs of Day 1 CPT and Exploring Scholarship Opportunities

How Much Do You Need to Pay for Day 1 CPT?

Financial cost is an important factor in choosing a Day 1 CPT school. Although the tuition cost of Day 1 CPT universities is much lower than traditional research universities, it is still a burden for those who work while studying. This page provides a detailed explanation of the various costs of a Day 1 CPT program and introduces potential scholarship opportunities.

If you have any questions about costs and scholarships after reading this page, please feel free to book a free consultation with us.

3 Types of Costs of Day 1 CPT

In addition to application fees that can be waived through GoElite, the cost of a Day 1 CPT program typically consists of 3 types of expenses: 
(1) tuition
(2) commuting cost (for on-site classes)
(3) additional fees

(1) Tuition

The total tuition of a Day 1 CPT master’s program typically ranges from $16,632 to $35,680. A master’s program requires 2-3 years to complete, so the annual tuition cost is around $8,316 - 17,840 (2-year basis).

Top 3 cheapest Day 1 CPT universities for master’s programs:

Choose a Suitable Day 1 CPT School by Tuition

6 Cheapest Day 1 CPT Universities by Location

 

The total tuition of a Day 1 CPT doctoral program typically ranges from $42,000 to $56, 400. A doctoral program requires 3-4 years to complete, so the annual tuition cost is around $10,500 - 14,100 (4-year basis).

Top 3 cheapest Day 1 CPT universities for doctoral programs:

(2)Commuting Cost (for On-site Classes)

Day 1 CPT students are required to attend on-site classes, which can result in additional costs for flights, trains, gas for driving, and hotel accommodations.

Let's compare two scenarios:

(1) You live in Boston and choose New England College in New Hampshire, which requires students to attend a three-day on-site session (Friday to Sunday) once per semester. Driving to the school will cost you about $40-50 in fuel for a round trip. Additionally, since the Friday class starts at 8 am, you need to arrive at Thursday night, requiring a hotel stay for three nights (Thursday to Saturday). Assuming that the hotel is $130 per night, you will spend $390 for the hotel. The commuting cost for one on-site class would be around $440. There are three on-site sessions per year, so the annual commuting cost would be $1,320.

(2) You live in Boston and choose Monroe College in New York, which requires students to attend a one-day on-site session once per month. Driving to the school will cost you around $90-110 in fuel for a round trip. If you choose to make a day trip, you can avoid hotel costs (it might be exhausting though). For the entire year, you will attend about nine on-site classes in total, making the total commuting cost approximately $900.  While Monroe College has a higher on-site requirement, its annual commuting cost for Boston-based students is lower compared to New England College.

Therefore, when choosing a Day 1 CPT university, it is important to consider factors such as location, on-site requirement, and the duration of on-site class. Choosing a school closer to your residence, with fewer required on-site classes, or with shorter on-site duration is crucial for reducing commuting costs.

(3)Additional Fees

Besides the tuition fees, you may be required to pay the following fees:

  • CPT fee ($200-350/semester)
  • Textbook fee ($100-200/semester)
  • Technology fee ($150)
  • Enrollment/Program fee ($200-500)
  • I-20 fees ($200)
  • Graduation fee ($50-100)

Each Day 1 CPT school has its fee structure. For more information, see our Day 1 CPT school list.

Scholarships

While some schools may charge higher tuition fees, they also offer scholarship opportunities for students. Below are Day 1 CPT universities that offer scholarships available for international students: 

Westcliff University

Distinguished Scholarships - up to $10,000

This scholarship is awarded to a select few students demonstrating excellence, grand vision for the future, and keen social responsibility to leave a positive global impact.

Criteria: 

- Granted 3 times per year, before each new semester begins
- Eligibility limited to new students enrolling at Westcliff University
- Requires a minimum 3.5 GPA from previous degree or completed credits
- Award amount up to $10,000, distributed over 1 year of continuous enrollment


Giving Opportunities for Achievement and Learning - up to $5,000

These scholarships are established for high-achieving students committed to academic excellence in pursuing a graduate degree at Westcliff.

Criteria:

- Awarded 3 times per year (prior to each semester)
- Minimum 3.5 GPA from a qualifying degree
- Award amount up to $5,000 distributed over one year with continuous enrollment
- Maintaining eligibility for the year requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25

 

Building Leaders for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (BLEND) Scholarships - up to $2,500

These scholarships are established for accomplished international students who are pursuing a degree at Westcliff in order to create a more inclusive world in their field of study. It is divided into diverse categories, including India, China, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America.

Criteria:

- Awarded 3 times per year (prior to each semester)
- Minimum 3.25 GPA for graduates from prior degree
- Award up to $2,500 distributed over 1 year of continuous enrollment
- Must maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA to retain eligibility for the year


Warrior Scholarships - up to $2,500

This scholarship supports students facing financial challenges in achieving academic success at Westcliff.

Criteria: 

- Offered 6 times per year, before each academic session begins
- Graduate applicants need minimum 3.0 GPA from prior degree
- Award amount up to $2,500 over 1 year of continuous enrollment
- Students must apply 30 days prior to any session start


Industry Scholarships - 20% Tuition Discount

These scholarships are awarded to students currently employed with one of Westcliff’s partner organizations, including corporates and non-profits. Educators and school district employees may be eligible for the civic servant scholarship. 

California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM)

President's Scholarship/ Women in Leadership Scholarship

- Female students with work experience can apply. A 300-500 word essay is required.


Management as a Liberal Art Scholarship

- Open to all students. A 300-500 word essay is required.

 

Academic Excellence Scholarship

- Students maintaining a GPA of 3.8 or higher can apply. Academic transcripts must be submitted.

Sofia University

Community Engagement & Social Advocacy Scholarship - $2,000

- Requires a personal statement that describes how you are engaging with yourself, others, and your larger community. 


Entrepreneurship Scholarship (for students interested in entrepreneurship) - $2,000

- Requires a personal statement that describes how you will grow your current business or how you will overcome challenges for your future business. 

 

Moving Humanity Forward Scholarship (for new students) - $2,000

- Requires a personal statement that describes how you envision your study at Sofia will help you move humanity forward.

 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Scholarship - $4,000

- This scholarship is for students of disadvantaged background and minorities.

 

International Students Scholarship - $2,500

- All F-1 students are encouraged to apply. Requires a personal statement that describes what you hope to obtain from education in the U.S.

 

Leadership Accelerated Scholarship (for DBA students) - Year 1: 30% tuition reduction; Year 2&3: 10% tuition reduction

- Requires a personal statement that identifies your interest in accelerating your leadership to address global and local business challenges. 

 

Merit-Based Scholarship  - $5,000

- Requires a  personal statement  explains why you are applying and what you hope to accomplish. Only offered in Fall and Winter. 

Monroe College

Tuition Discount for Students Who Already Obtained a Graduate Degree in the U.S.

- At least $300 discount per credit hour.


Graduate International Student Scholarship - $1,000 to $3,000

- Contact us for more information. 

 

Mayor's Graduate Scholarship Program (MGSP) - 50% Tuition Off

- Available for NYC government employees. 

 

Graduate Articulation Agreement Scholarship (MART) - $1,000 to 3,000

- Available for students who graduate from schools that have an articulation agreement with Monroe. Contact us for more information.

University of the Potomac (UOTP)

Automatic Scholarship for International Students - up to 35% tuition reduction

- For new full-time international students. Can be renewed annually based on academic performance.


Good Hope Scholarship - $1,000 per year

- Awarded to students for costs not covered by other financial aids and the expected family contribution. 

 

Multiple Family Member University of the Potomac Scholarship - up to 20% tuition reduction

- Awarded to families with more than one member attending UOTP concurrently. 

 

Alumni Graduate Student Scholarship - $2,000

- For graduate students who already completed an undergraduate or graduate program at UOTP and maintains a 3.0 GPA.

 

Alumni Doctoral Student Scholarship - $2,000

- For doctoral students who already completed an undergraduate or graduate program at UOTP and maintains a 3.0 GPA.

Cheapest Day 1 CPT Universities by Area

Below are the most affordable schools in different areas of the U.S. Keep in mind that price is only one among multiple factors when choosing a Day 1 CPT school. Other important factors include location, enrollment window, on-site frequency, and program. Book a free consultation with us for a more comprehensive assessment of your individual situation.

East Coast

 

Monthly Payment Plan

Some Day 1 CPT universities provide the option of monthly payment, which can help release the financial burden of students.

These schools include:

Other Financial Resources

In addition to scholarships provided by the schools, you can also seek external financial resources. These resources include:

(1) Employer Tuition Assistance Programs

Many major U.S. companies offer valuable tuition assistance programs to support employees' educational goals, covering significant college and graduate school costs. If your employer lacks such a program, inquire about it, as companies can deduct up to $5,250 annually in educational assistance provided to employees under IRS rules.

Top 55 Companies That Offer Tuition Reimbursement Programs

 

(2) IRS Education Tax Benefits

The IRS offers tax deductions and credits, like the Lifetime Learning Credit providing up to $2,000 annually, to help cover higher education costs. Be sure to obtain Form 1098-T from your school detailing qualified expenses. Consultant a tax expert to maximize use of these valuable education tax benefits.

Conclusion

When choosing a Day 1 CPT school, students need to consider its tuition, potential commuting cost, hidden fees, and scholarship opportunities. Some schools may have lower tuition costs but charge higher additional fees. Therefore, it is crucial for students to have a comprehensive understanding of the fee structure of a school.

If you have further questions about financial costs for attending a Day 1 CPT program, please feel free to book a free consultation with us.