Financial aid •
Utah Valley University financial aid: a complete guide
Read all about financial aid at Utah Valley University, including scholarships, loans, and grants.
Utah Valley University, located in Orem, Utah, is the largest public university in the state, with almost 41,000 students!
The school is unique in that it has a dual-mission model combining a first-rate education with the vocational aspects of a community college. The school focuses on research and preparing students for their future. More than 80% of students work while attending classes, giving them valuable work experience they can use after they graduate.
If you’re considering enrolling in Utah Valley University, here’s what you need to know.
A snapshot look at the Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University is a unique school located near the center of Utah. It has a student population of nearly 41,000 in addition to more than 12,000 high school students in a concurrent enrollment program.
One thing that sets UVU apart is its 100% admission rate. The school uses an open-admission model, which means you’re guaranteed a spot if you have a high school diploma and have taken a few key courses before attending.
While the school aims to provide the academic rigor of top schools, a UVU education includes a unique vocational aspect. Many students at UVU work while taking classes, either in work-study positions at UVU or at businesses near the campus.
UVU students can choose from 8 different colleges and schools, including the colleges of Engineering and Technology, Health and Public Service, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, University College, and the Schools of Education, the Arts, and Business. There are more than 200 degree and certificate programs for students to choose from.
Outside of class, UVU offers a variety of sport and club programs as well as an outdoor adventure center and wellness programs. With more than 150 clubs to choose from, students will find plenty to do at the school!
Ranking: 50–66 in Top Public Schools
Size: 41,186
Demographics: 53% male, 47% female
Tuition: $5,906 for in-state students, $16,806 for out-of-state students
Acceptance rate: 100%
Average GPA of accepted student: 3.39
Key dates and deadlines (2022):
Application: August 1
Financial aid deadlines: April 1
A look at scholarships offered by Utah Valley University
When it comes to paying for college, the best thing that you can do is earn a scholarship. Scholarships are like free money that you can put toward the cost of your education. Unlike loans, you don’t have to pay them back!
UVU’s financial aid website has a lot of information about available scholarships, and it’s easy to apply for those scholarships online. 2 important programs are the Green Light Scholarship and the Reach Scholarship.
The Green Light Scholarship is for Pell Grant recipients who demonstrate additional financial need. The Reach Scholarship awards money to students who meet certain milestones, such as completing 30 credits and certain classes in their first year of school.
There are also scholarship opportunities available outside of UVU’s financial aid office. Many local community groups and businesses offer scholarships of their own. If you keep an eye out, you can find many opportunities. With enough searching, you can find scholarships for almost everything you can think of.
For more info on which scholarships you can apply for and how Mos can help, check out our financial aid tips and tricks.
Student loans
After you’ve put your scholarship money toward the cost of college, you can consider taking out student loans to help you pay for school.
When you get a student loan, you’re borrowing money to invest in your education. Borrowing money isn’t always a bad thing, but you have to be prepared to repay that debt, plus interest.
The UVU financial aid website offers information about the different loan programs students can use.
One unique program available to UVU students is the Talent Development Incentive Loan Program (TDILP). TDILP loans are available to students in select degree programs, mostly in technology fields. The loan can cover the full cost of attendance, and if you work in your field in Utah after graduating, each year you work will waive one year of payments!
If the TDILP isn’t right for you, the best way to borrow money is through the Federal Direct Loan Program. These loans come directly from the federal government in two forms: subsidized and unsubsidized.
Subsidized loans don’t start building up interest until after you leave school. With an unsubsidized loan, interest starts building up right away.
One major benefit of government loans is that you can take advantage of income-based repayment and loan forgiveness programs.
If you need more money after maxing out your government loans, your next best bet is private lenders. Private companies and banks offer student loans that you can use to pay for school. However, keep in mind that private loans are usually more expensive. You also can’t take advantage of things like income-based repayment.
That means you should max out your government loans before turning to private lenders.
For more info on student loans, check out our article on how student loans work.
FAFSA
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year is the most important thing you can do to help pay for school!
The FAFSA is a universal student aid application. The government and many schools use the information in the application to make financial aid decisions. Filling it out can help you get scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans.
When you fill out the FAFSA, you’ll have to sit down with your family and provide a variety of financial information, such as how much your family makes and how much you’ve saved for school.
Based on the information you provide, the government determines your expected family contribution (EFC) to the cost of your education. The lower your EFC, the more aid you can expect to receive, though most schools do not guarantee meeting 100% of your financial need.
The FAFSA process starts on October 1 for financial aid awarded during the next academic year. You can submit the form anytime up to the end of June of the year you attend school. Utah has some programs that award on a first-come, first-served basis, so you should fill out the application as soon as possible.
For more information on the FAFSA and its deadlines, you can visit our article that covers everything you need to know about the FAFSA.
Utah Valley University financial aid FAQs
These are some of the most frequently asked questions about financial aid at UVU.
What is Utah Valley University’s cost of attendance?
As a state school, the cost of tuition at Utah Valley University is pretty affordable.
Utah Valley University’s cost of attendance is $13,196 for Utah-resident commuting students and $19,280 for resident students who live off-campus. Of that amount, $5,368 covers tuition, and the remainder pays for other costs.
Students from outside of Utah pay an additional $11,082 in tuition, increasing their cost of attendance to between $24,278–$30,362.
How many students pay no tuition at UVU?
UVU doesn’t publish information about how many students receive a full-ride scholarship, but 74% of its students receive some form of financial aid. On average, students receive $5,386 in grants and scholarships, $5,062 in pell grants, and $7,174 in federal student loan aid.
Can out-of-state students receive financial aid?
Yes, out-of-state students are eligible for financial aid at UVU.
Universities like the Utah Valley University that you might be interested in
If you’re not sure that UVU is the right school for you, consider these alternatives.
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a school founded and supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s one of the best-known schools in Utah and aims to provide an education that is spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, and character building.
The University of Utah
Located in Salt Lake City, the University of Utah is the flagship public university in the state. It offers a world-class education in subjects from music to medicine and metallurgical engineering to Middle East studies. As a public school, tuition is lower for Utah-resident students, making it an appealing choice for those in the state.
Utah State University
Utah State University, founded in 1888, is located in Logan, Utah, which was ranked the best city to live in the West by Business Insider. The school is highly-ranked, receiving top marks when it comes to public universities, online degree programs, and low tuition.
Conclusion
Utah Valley University is a unique school that combines aspects of a vocational education with high-quality academics in order to leave students prepared for their life after college. If you’re looking for a public school with a reasonable price point, UVU might be the right university for you.
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