How to Fund Your Master’s Degree
Earning a master’s degree requires significant commitment, and AOEU understands the financial stress that can accompany it. It’s an investment in yourself and your professional future that can lead to exciting opportunities and growth. After determining your return on investment, consider these options to help you pay for your degree:
1. Pay-As-You-Go
2. District Funding
3. Private Educational Loans
Pay-As-You-Go
Pay for each course, one at a time, as you take them.
AOEU has designed its program to be flexible and convenient so that you can break up the payments as much as you need to within the 2-5 years of the degree. Pace your coursework and take courses when it makes sense with your finances.
You may choose to register for a course in advance and spread out the tuition payment as much as you’d like up until when they are due in full at the course start date. For example, if you register in July for a course that starts in September, you could put $399 towards it now, another $399 in August, and then the remaining $399 by the course start date in September.
District Funding
Check with your district
Your district may provide an incentive to earn your master’s degree or even help you fund it! Check with your district to see if they offer tuition reimbursement. Many schools do! Learn more in our Tuition Reimbursement Webinar.
Even if tuition reimbursement is not available to you, review your contract to see how AOEU’s master’s degree can help you move up your district’s salary scale. The raise you receive might pay for the degree in a few years.
Private Education Loans
Do your research!
A private educational loan can help you graduate faster or pay a smaller monthly payment. Unlike the pay-as-you-go model, you will accrue interest to pay. But for some students, the tradeoff is well worth it. When taking on debt, here are a few things you should keep in mind as you consider your options:
- Revisit trusted lenders you’ve worked with in the past, and remember that not all lenders are the same.
- Consult family and friends about lenders they’ve used and recommend.
- Look for private loans with low fixed interest rates.
- Ask the lender about interest deferral while you are in school.
- Ask about loan forgiveness in the event of death or permanent disability.
- Research consumer complaints against the lender from the Better Business Bureau.
AOEU does not participate in any federal student aid or federal student loan program and does not endorse any particular lender.
If you have questions, we’re here to help.
AOEU admissions counselors are educators with knowledge of the field, specific course offerings, and state-by-state requirements. Reach out with questions, and our team will help you reach your professional goals.