Tuition Rates and Fees

Return to: Tuition Information and Policies  

Payment Information

General Information and Deadlines

The first tuition payment for the start term of new students is due by the date published below. Subsequent payments for each term must also be received by that term’s due date; or the student must make installment plan arrangements, arrange for financial aid, employer sponsorship, VA benefits, etc. 

Tuition for continuing students is billed at least one month prior to the due date or during student registration for the upcoming term and is considered delinquent if not received by the due date below.

Delinquent accounts are subject to penalty fees and finance charges; see the Tuition Delinquency  policy for details.

Tuition due dates for academic year 2025-2026 are as follows:

Continuing Students

Fall 2025: Due 08/26/2025
Spring 2026: Due 01/05/2026
Summer 2026: Due 04/28/2026

New/Incoming and Re-Enrolling Students

Fall 2025: Due 09/9/2025
Spring 2026: Due 01/09/2026
Summer 2026: Due 05/08/2026

Payments must be issued in US dollars. Electronic payments can be made online, 24/7. Credit/debit card payments (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover) are only accepted online through the student’s financial account. Check payments may also be mailed to the address noted below:

Fielding Graduate University
2020 De la Vina Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105-3538
Attn: Student Accounts

Installment Payment Terms and Conditions

Fielding Graduate University is pleased to offer an installment payment plan service. Students and their authorized users may set up an automatic monthly payment plan to pay their tuition bill evenly divided over a set number of months of the term (no more than four) based on when students enroll in the plan during the term. This is the only payment plan offered by the University.

The deferred payment under this plan shall constitute a loan from Fielding Graduate University and is a note described in 11 U.S. Code, Sec.523(a)(8) and as such is not dischargeable in bankruptcy except as provided therein. Enrollment in the monthly payment plan is available after your term tuition charges are posted to your tuition account and after any previous balance on your account is paid. To sign up you will log on to WebAdvisor Self-Service; select the Bill and Payment tab and you will be redirected to the TouchNet system.

Sign Up Fee: The $45 per term nonrefundable signup fee will be charged to your credit card or bank account (ACH) upon enrollment in the plan. 

Payment Dates: All payments are processed by TouchNet on the processing date you select when you sign up for the plan. Payments of all outstanding balances will continue to be processed when a student is on an approved leave of absence.

Convenience/Service Fee: A 2.85% convenience/service fee or a minimum of $3.00 processing fee will be charged on all payment card (credit/debit cards) transactions.

Declined Payment Fee: There is a $25 declined payment fee if a credit card payment is declined for a second time or if an ACH is returned for insufficient funds.

Payment Methods Accepted: Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) or Bank Account ACH (9-digit US bank routing number only).

If a payment is declined: The University reserves the right to remove you from the payment plan if payment cannot be obtained.

Declined credit/debit cards or Bank account payment returns:

• If a credit/debit card declines, or an automatic debit is returned unpaid due to insufficient funds you will receive notice of the declined payment in your authorized Fielding email and you will be charged a $25 decline fee. 
• Your payment will automatically be attempted again the following calendar day.     
• If payment is unable to be collected on the second run, your payment will again be attempted the following calendar day.  A fourth attempt the following calendar day will be made if the third run was not successful.
• If payment cannot be retrieved after 4 processing cycles you will receive a final notice on email.
• If payment is unable to be collected 24 hours after your final notice you will be removed from the payment plan.
• Once removed from the payment plan, a payment must be made towards your tuition in full within 5 business days.
• If payment is not made by the given due date, a hold on future course registrations will be placed and/or you will be withdrawn from the University for nonpayment of tuition.

Changes to the plan: In the event of a change in account numbers or credit card expiration dates, students must make changes in TouchNet no later than 7 business days prior to the next payment due date.

At graduation or withdrawal: Participation in the plan will be canceled upon graduation or withdrawal. A final payment of the full outstanding balance will be expected immediately. 

Eligibility: The University reserves the right to determine the eligibility of a student to participate in this plan based upon tuition payment history.

Attendance and Participation While Awaiting VA Tuition and Fee Payments

Any student using CH31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits) or CH33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®) is protected from any penalties imposed by the University while waiting for the VA to make tuition and fee payments. Under this policy, the University:

• Cannot deny a student access to classrooms, libraries, or other institutional facilities
• Cannot make the student borrow money to cover costs while waiting for payment
• Cannot charge a student a late fee or penalty

The coverage period ends when VA makes payment or 90 days after the date the University certifies tuition and fees.

Protection begins when the student provides the school with a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) or a Statement of Benefits. The University can require the student to submit:

• the CoE or Statement of Benefits no later than the first day of the program
• a written request to use the benefits or other necessary certifications

For more information regarding this policy, contact your School Certifying Official.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits/va.gov/gibill.

Policy Revised 09/01/2025

Cost of Attendance for Financial Aid

The cost of attendance (COA) is the total amount we estimate it will cost a student to attend Fielding for one year. ⁠It includes costs that are billed by Fielding such as tuition, housing, and dining, and estimates for other expenses, such as books, supplies, and personal expenses. We use this budget to determine financial aid for every student. Your actual COA, including any applicable loan fees, will be calculated and shown in your Financial Aid offer after you request financial aid. The financial aid year is a three-term year that is based on the term in which borrowing begins.

Estimated Costs for Books, Supplies, Transportation, Room, Board, Personal Expenses

Significant cost increases due to individual circumstances, such as disabilities, dependent care, or computer purchase may be appealed on an individual basis. Contact the Financial Aid Office for the COA appeal request form.

*By request, when attending an in-person Fielding session in order to complete required academic activity

Doctoral Tuition Rates by Program as of September 1, 2025

Master’s Tuition Rates by Program as of September 1, 2025

Graduate Certificate Tuition and Fee Rates by Program as of September 1, 2025

Online Professional Development Tuition Rates by Program as of September 1, 2025

General Fees

Finance Fees

Graduation Fees

Residential Session (In-person) Attendance Fees

Transcript Fees