Frequently asked questions about financial aid

What are the total program costs?
The combined fees including tuition and on-campus room and board for the Computer Professionals Program (MSCS degree) total $30,925.

How much money do I need in order to enroll in your program?

You can enroll and pay no money to start, if you qualify for an Alternative Loan, which requires a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. An Alternative Loan will cover all your expenses for the program, except travel. You will also get a $1,000 reduction in tuition with this option.

What if I do not have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
If you have no co-signer, you will be required to pay a modest amount upon enrollment. The amount required will depend on the level of financial aid for which you qualify. Many applicants accepted to the program qualify for Senior Level of financial aid, which requires an initial payment of $3,900 upon enrollment. The balance of your program expenses is then paid through the Computer Professionals Loan, which you take from a bank here in Fairfield, Iowa after you receive your practical training job.

How is my level of financial aid determined?

The amount you will need to pay when you enter the program is based on the strength of your academic background including your GPA, the type and number of computer science courses you have taken, your GRE scores (if you have taken GRE), recommendations, and your work experience. We can make a final evaluation of your financial aid award only after you submit all your application materials.

Can I borrow the initial payment through the Alternative Loan, and pay the rest with a Computer Professionals Loan after I receive a practical training job?

Yes. However, you will not receive the $1,000 tuition reduction unless you finance 100% of your program expenses with the Alternative Loan.

More Alternative Loan details.

Am I required to take out the Computer Professionals Loan if I do not have a job?
No. The Computer Professionals Loan is not taken until you secure a curricular practical training job that pays enough for you to live comfortably and make payments on your loan.

What kind of salaries are students earning on their practical training jobs?

Currently the average starting salary for our students is $55,000 per year. Your earnings are yours to keep. You will be expected to repay your loan over the two years of your practical training. You must also pay your own living expenses while you work.

When do I need to begin payments on the Computer Professionals Loan?

Loan payments begin the month after the loan is taken out. There are a maximum of 24 monthly payments expected. You may choose to repay the loan more quickly to save on interest. The loan must be paid in full before you graduate.

What are my chances of finding work?

Your chances are excellent. We pre-select students for the program who we know will do well in the U.S. job market. If you have properly represented your background and skills, and if you have adequate communication abilities, you will do well in today’s IT job market. Some students take more time than others to find a job, but there is no problem in ultimately finding one for those who look for employement with dilligence under the advice of our Placement Office specialists.

How easy is it to find a job?
Each student brings a unique set of talents to the job market, so the ease of finding work varies from person to person. However, there are several factors working in favor of our students:

• The U.S. IT job market is very favorable right now. In the past year our students have found jobs very quickly. Over 700 companies have hired our students. Of our 100 students and graduates at Microsoft, 70 were hired in the past year.
  
• The U.S. economy is thriving. According to a leading U.S. online tech job board, an increasing number of companies are hiring. Of approximately 300 corporations, recruiters, and staffing firms, 88% reported they are looking to hire experienced, hands-on technology professionals.
  

• Money magazine and Salary.com have rated the job of software engineer as the number one job in the US for growth, pay, stress-levels, and other factors. The report, recently presented at cnn.com, said "Software engineers are needed in virtually every part of the economy, making this one of the fastest-growing job titles in the U.S."
  

• Our students have earned recognition for our program. Many recruiters check with our Placement Office when new positions become available because of the excellent reports they receive from employers of our students.
  
• Students are well prepared for the job market because of the cutting-edge content and practical nature of our courses. In addition, the job search workshop helps them increase their self-confidence and thus their ability to get a job. It prepares them for job interviews and improves their understanding of U.S. employers.
  

What happens if a student does not find a practical training job?

We expect all our students to find a practical training job with a U.S. employer. This is a necessay part of our degree program. Our Placement Office works with students to help them find meaningful work. Students have up to eight months to find a job after on-campus studies. In some cases, intern positions at the University are available to students who have difficulty getting placed elsewhere. University intern students earn credit toward their tuition. While they work for the University they may continue to search for employment in the private sector.

If a student returns home without working (and without paying the full University expenses) he or she does not graduate. In those few cases where it happened, it was due to personal or family reasons. It may be possible for such students to be reinstated to the program at a later time and return to the U.S. to complete their practical training and coursework.