Cost & Financial Aid | Vision Science (MS)

Estimated Costs

*A laptop computer is required for all graduate students. University Information Services has information about laptop recommendations for students in the College of Optometry. Students do not have to purchase a new laptop if they own a laptop that fulfills the recommendations.

Financial Aid

Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The best way to submit the FAFSA is online at www.fafsa.gov. Need-based aid in the form of loans and work-study is available to those who are FAFSA eligible and demonstrate financial need. For more information, contact the Financial Aid Office.

Do not wait to be accepted to apply for financial aid.

International Students

Pacific University is a private institution, so all students pay the same tuition rate. In general, international students are not eligible for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) unless they meet the criteria posted on the U.S. Department of Education’s Web site at fafsa.gov. To receive permission to enter the United States as an international student, you will need to show proof that you have enough money to pay for at least the first-year cost of attendance, and support yourself and any family members who accompany you. Proof of funds can be obtained with a letter from your local bank stating your account balance or line of credit. If you accept your offer of admission, the Office of International Programs will contact you in the spring with the amount you will have to show to receive your I-20.

Scholarships

In some cases, scholarships, research funds, or other funds may be available to support some MS students. Application and acceptance into the MS program are independent of the availability of financial support. Any available funds to support MS students are subject to the requirements placed upon those funds by the funding source and generally not under the admissions committee's control or influence. If funding is from a research grant or contract, then the faculty member serving as the principal investigator usually makes decisions about all personnel supported by the grant.

The Vision Science Program Committee can alert students to potential funding opportunities.

Currently, we have the following scholarship opportunities available for MS students in the year 2017-2018:

Kikuchi Research Scholarship (pdf)

• For Kikuchi College students or Asian Pacific students
• Please see the Kikuchi Research Scholarship Application Instruction (pdf) for details.

VPI Summer Research Assistantship

• Limited number of research assistantships will be given to currently enrolled MS students to work in the Vision Performance Institute (VPI) during the summer term (May to August)
• Awarded MS students will work part time (about 30 hours per week) for eight to 12 weeks in VPI at the pay rate for graduate students specified by Pacific University
• VPI will make decisions based on the applicants' academic performance, research interests, previous research experiences and other aspects, including but not limited to individual's financial needs
• If interested, please prepare an application letter describing why you are a good candidate for the research assistantship and submit it to:

Dr. Yu-Chi Tai, Director | Vision Science Program
College of Optometry
Pacific University
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR 97116
503-352-2289 | ytai@pacificu.edu