Physician Assistant Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid

Information on Graduate Tuition and Fees. www.arcadia.edu/gradtuition

Other Expenses​

1. AAPA Student Membership (required) (one-time fee that expires four months after date of graduation): $75 
2. Mandatory clearances, which include criminal background checks, immunization tracking, child abuse screening, etc. Additional costs associated with drug screening varies upon clinical rotation: $225
3. Books, supplies and medical equipment Didactic phase: $1,500 
4. Students are required to cover housing and transportation costs related to all off-campus and clinical experiences. 
5. Student health insurance annual premium: cost varies*
6. Additional expenses will be incurred by students electing to participate in global service learning or international clinical experiences.

*Medical Insurance: Upon enrollment into their programs, all students must provide proof of medical insurance and also provide information about their health and medical history. Students who do not provide proof of adequate health insurance will be required to purchase health insurance through the University. Information and applications are available at Student Health Services. 

Information on current costs is available at www.arcadia.edu/finaid. Financial aid is available to assist qualified students in covering tuition and related expenses, as well as living costs. Students in Arcadia University's Physician Assistant program are discouraged from outside employment while enrolled due to the rigors of the program. Upon review for admission, students automatically will be reviewed by the academic department for a limited number of merit scholarships.

Additionally, students can apply to receive up to $20,500 annually through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan at a fixed interest rate. In addition to the Stafford Loan, students can choose to borrow either a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan or a private alternative student loan to cover remaining expenses. Graduate assistant positions also may be available to those who qualify. More information on available financial aid and how to apply.

Program-Specific Loan Options

The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment programs for primary care physician assistants who agree to provide service in a priority health-professional shortage area (HPSA) for a two-year period following graduation. Other loan programs are available through the Allied Health Education Loan Program.

Scholarships

• Department of Veterans Affairs: full scholarships plus monthly stipends for second-year students. (Obligation is two years’ service at a V.A. medical center.) www.vacareers.va.gov/why-choose-va/education-support.asp
• Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants: PSPA student member essay contest with three annual scholarship awards of $2,000. http://pspa.net/about-pspa/pspa-annual-awards/student-awards
• PA Student Scholarships: https://pa-foundation.org/scholarships-fellowships/pa-student-scholarships/
• National Health Service Corps Scholarships: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/scholarships/