Program Costs and Financial Aid - Cal Poly Pomona

Geology Master’s Degree Program Costs
2013-2014 Academic Year
Tuition and Auxiliary Fees
All fees must be paid in advance prior to the beginning of each quarter. The fee structure varies
because tuition for 400-level courses is paid through a different mechanism than for 500 and 600-
level courses. Below is a summary table:
Graduate Tuition for GSC 400-level courses: 2013-14
*Quarterly
Auxiliary
Fees
Total Cost for
400-level
course(s)
Units Enrolled
Quarterly
Tuition Cost *Cost per Unit
2 $1,422 $711 $301 $1,723
4 $1,422 $356 $301 $1,723
6 $1,422 $237 $301 $1,723
8 $2,452 $307 $301 $2,753
10 $2,452 $245 $301 $2,753
12 $2,452 $204 $301 $2,753
* Non- Resident Students pay an additional $248/unit
Graduate Tuition for GSC 500 or 600-level courses: 2013-14
*Quarterly
Auxiliary
Fees
Total Cost for
500 or 600-
level course(s)
Units Enrolled
Quarterly
Tuition Cost Cost per Unit
2 $600 $300 $301 $901
3 $900 $300 $301 $1,201
4 $1,200 $300 $301 $1,501
6 $1,800 $300 $301 $2,101
8 $2,400 $300 $301 $2,701
10 $3,000 $300 $301 $3,301
12 $3,600 $300 $301 $3,901
*Auxiliary fees billed only once when 400-level courses are taken at same
time as 500 or 600-level courses
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Each quarter a set of mandatory Auxiliary Fees will be assessed to cover Bronco Student Union,
Associated Students Incorporated, Health Center, Athletics, etc. These fees average $293/quarter.
In addition, you should plan to pay for parking each quarter. Parking passes cost $106 per quarter.
There is an option of purchasing daily passes for $5 if that is more economical.
Explanation of Mandatory Auxiliary Fees: 2013-2014
Summer Fall Winter Spring
Bronco Student
Center (STU)
Instructionally
Related
Activities (IRA)
Associated
Students
Incorporated
(ASI)
$18.40 $88.54 $88.54 $88.54
$0.00 $16.00 $12.00 $12.00
$6.41 $32.65 $24.79 $24.79
Health Fee (HFF)
Medical Facility
$2.00 $2.00 $2.00 $2.00
Health Center
(HSF)
$78.14 $79.47 $79.47 $79.47
Athletic (ATH) $0.00 $8.06 $8.06 $8.06
Student Success
Fee
$74.00 $74.00 $74.00
TOTAL $104.95 $300.72 $288.86 $288.86
Master’s Degree Requirements and Course Schedule
Graduate students must complete 45 quarter units to earn an MS degree in Geology. Required
core courses include 5 units of GSC 501 and GSC 503L (taught each fall) plus 9 units of 600-level
thesis courses. Of the remaining 31 units, units at least 16 must be 500-level elective courses. Up
to 15 units of 400-level classes may count toward the elective course requirement.
• Core and elective courses are outlined on our Geology graduate page at:
http://geology.csupomona.edu/GeologyMasters.pdf
• For future scheduling, you may view our 3 year teaching plan—see
http://geology.csupomona.edu/3Year.pdf
Meeting days and times have not yet been established for all these courses, but the generally layout
should aid in planning your quarter-by-quarter costs toward the Master’s degree.
Financial Aid Options
A limited amount of financial support is available to those accepted into the graduate program.
The Graduate Coordinator is currently working on avenues to expand and optimize these
resources. Exact amounts for each student are difficult to predict from year to year, but we are
very cognizant of student needs to offset the cost of instruction.
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A. Graduate Teaching Associates (GTAs)
Several students will be hired each year as official instructors of record for laboratory classes that
include Principles of Geology Lab, Earth Time and Life Lab, Field Methods and Optical
Mineralogy Lab. These classes involved a significant time commitment in terms of course
preparation and instruction. Also a flexible work schedule is required because most labs meet at
odd times of the day. Typical salaries vary from $1800 to $3600 per course. Depending on the time
spent on preparation and grading, this is equivalent to a rate of $20/hr to $30/hr.
B. Instructional Student Assistantships (ISAs)
A pool of funds exists to pay graduate students as graders and logistical assistants in undergraduate
laboratories and course-related field trips. Students are paid at a rate of approximately $14/hour.
C. General Graduate Assistantships (GAs)
As our graduate program gains momentum, a certain percentage of faculty-generated revenue
should return to the Geology Department to be earmarked for general Graduate Assistantships.
Tasks include assisting faculty with research, training students in use of equipment, tutoring
undergraduate students, website development, filming of lab or field activities and preparation of
course materials. Students are paid at a rate of approximately $18/hour. A typical Graduate
Assistantship might vary from $3000 to $6000/year.
D. Project-Specific Graduate Research Assistantships
Several faculty members have written grant proposals that build in funding for Graduate Research
Assistants to work on specific projects. Funding levels vary from year to year and some proposals
are still pending, but the amount of potential student support is significant.
E. State University Grants
Graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply for a State University Grant that potentially
might cover significant tuition costs. These grants are based on financial need. To get started you
must file a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at the following web site:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
F. Student Loans
All matriculated graduate students at Cal Poly Pomona are eligible for student loans. There are a
couple of options that offer very low interest rates. Students apply through FAFSA (see above).
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