How to Pay for Early Grade Reading Classes
Course Costs
Current tuition* for a 3-credit class is $1,968 ($656 per credit). There is also a $85 semester fee each semester, so the total cost for taking one course is $2,053.
Please note that the total tuition for the Early Grade Reading Graduate Certificate (5 class program) is $9840, based on current costs*
*Costs as of November 2024 and are likely to change every 1-3 terms.
How to make course payments
Bills are typically generated by the Bursar’s Office around the 15th of the month after the class begins, and are due by the 10th of the following month. You will receive an email to your UMass email account when your invoice becomes available.
You may view and pay your bill in QuikPAY, which allows you to pay your bill by e-check, credit card, or international bank transfer (via Flywire). There is an additional charge for paying with a credit card so please plan accordingly. NOTE: You can authorize someone else to pay your bill in QuikPay.
To access QuikPAY, log in to SPIRE. Go to Main Menu > Finances > View/Pay Bill.
Refund policy
If you drop the course before the end of the add/drop period, you will get a 100% refund of the tuition. Your registration fee may be refunded if you are dropping all courses for that semester; otherwise it is non-refundable.
NOTE: “Refund” here also means removing charges from your account, if you have not yet made any payment. If you cannot take the course after all, please drop the course in SPIRE before the deadline, otherwise you will be charged the fees indicated.
For more information, see https://www.umass.edu/cpe/tuition/refund-policy
Scholarship and financial aid
Scholarships and financial aid are not available through UMass Amherst for graduate certificates, but there are some options to pay or defray the costs of this program.
Employer support programs. Previous course participants have been able to obtain some financial support from their employer for these courses. As these are university-accredited courses, they are usually eligible for professional development support schemes offered by International NGOs and development agencies for their staff. Do check with your employer if they provide such support.
Massachusetts state employees may be eligible for a tuition waiver which provides a 50% discount on course tuition.
Most financial aid and loans available through University+ are for U.S. citizens pursuing degree programs. Certificate courses do not fall into this category if you are taking them as a non-degree student. More information on loans, eligibility and other options can be found at both the UMass Degree student Eligibility and Non-Degree student Eligibility. Please email the Early Grade Reading Certificate support team at egrcert [at] umass [dot] edu (egrcert[at]umass[dot]edu) if you have any questions about funding.