Online Graduate Certificate in Student Financial Aid Administration
Prepare to lead and manage student financial aid programs.
The Graduate Certificate in Student Financial Aid Administration prepares emerging and experienced education professionals to design, manage, and lead scholarship and financial aid programs in postsecondary education. Designed for those working in higher education, secondary education, and nonprofit organizations, this online certificate blends theory, policy, and hands-on application.
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Credits Required
What Does It Cost
$400 per credit hour*
*Subject to change without notice
Tuition Estimator
Learning Format
Online
Start Terms
Fall and Spring
Why Choose UOnline’s Graduate Certificate in
Student Financial Aid Administration?
The Student Financial Aid Administration Certificate is the first program of its kind in the United States focused specifically on the administration and management of postsecondary student financial aid.
Administration of financial aid programs has become increasingly complex, serving a wide range of institutional and societal purposes, including college access, affordability, workforce development, talent development, and institutional sustainability. This program is designed for professionals who interact with or oversee student financial aid processes and want formal, graduate‑level preparation in this specialized area.
The certificate supports students seeking professional advancement in financial aid offices, secondary education, and related education settings. It also serves as a pathway for those who plan to pursue additional graduate study in education.
Application Deadlines
Advance your career with a graduate certificate in Student Financial Aid Administration.
Program Overview
At the University of Utah, our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Enjoy the benefit of studying online while still engaging with classmates and instructors. This flexible way of teaching improves your overall experience and your ability to retain what you learn.
Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:
- View content and video interviews with experts in the field of Financial Aid.
- Group assignments, where you collaborate via email or a discussion forum to answer a problem set.
- Contributions to a discussion forum, where you directly respond to previous posts.
- Peer reviews, where you review and comment on assignments from other students.
Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:
- Communicate directly with the instructor via email.
- Participate in and guide online discussions.
- Attend online office hours in discussion threads or via video chat, or in optional synchronous meetings online.
This is a post‑baccalaureate graduate certificate.
All courses at the University of Utah, whether online or on campus, are taught by the same expert faculty members.
To earn the online Student Financial Aid Administration certificate, students must complete 18 credit hours of approved coursework while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Required Courses
- History & Principles of Financial Need Analysis (ELP 6482)
- Laws, Regulations, & Ethics in Scholarships & Financial Aid Administration (ELP 6483)
- Purposes & Management of Scholarship & Financial Aid Programs (ELP 6484)
- Budgeting & Funding Principles for Scholarships & Financial Aid Administration (ELP 6485)
- Understanding Systems of Record & Data Dependencies in Higher Education (ELP 6486)
- Communicating Complex Information to Any Audience (ELP 6487)
The tuition rate for the Graduate Certificate in Student Financial Aid Administration is $400 per credit hour. Cost is subject to change without notice, and there are no discounts for additional classes in a semester. Generate your tuition estimate.
Tuition does not include additional fees such as online textbooks or proctored exams. Fees and materials vary by program.
Learn about cost and financial assistance with UOnline.
Note: There are no program-specific scholarships at this time.
Prerequisites:
Applicants must meet academic minimum requirements for admission. The requirements listed do not guarantee admission into the certificate program.
Applicants must have:
- a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- a GPA of 3.00 or higher
Application materials include:
- Postsecondary transcripts
- A letter of interest describing career goals related to student financial aid and higher education administration.
Career Outcomes
The Graduate Certificate in Student Financial Aid Administration prepares emerging and experienced education professionals to design, manage, and lead scholarship and financial aid programs in colleges and universities.
Potential Roles
Graduates of the Student Financial Aid Administration certificate program continue in or advance to careers such as:
- Assistant or Associate Director of Financial Aid
- Director of Financial Aid
- Enrollment Management
- Scholarship Administrator
- High School Guidance Counselor
- Program Manager
- Other Higher Education Administration roles
Further Your Education
The online Student Financial Aid Administration certificate can serve as a stepping stone for further educational pursuits and professional certifications, such as:
$64,000
Median Annual Wage
Financial aid administration professionals earned a median wage of $64,000 in 2026 according to Gray DI.
15,100
Job Openings
The financial aid administration field will experience above-average growth, according to Gray DI, with 15,000 new job openings expected annually through 2033.
Department Contact
Have questions about the University of Utah’s online Graduate Certificate in Student Financial Aid Administration? Our team is here to provide the information you need.
Austin Lacy
Program Manager