# Financing grad school
**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/fees-and-finances/financing-grad-school
**Parent**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/
Before starting your graduate program, make sure you understand your tuition and general fees, and learn which awards you are eligible for.
## General fees
All students pay the same general fees. Most of these are due on a per-term basis while other fees are due annually.
### Yearly fees
Include the Graduate Students’ Association membership, Group insurance, Extended Health Insurance/Dental Insurance and Graduate Bursary Donation.
[Learn more](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/cdecfd021adb4815bf0fd932317e1dfd)
### Per-term fees
Include the costs for UPASS, Athletics, Campus Recreation and Student Services.
[Learn more](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/cdecfd021adb4815bf0fd932317e1dfd)
## Tuition fees
### Thesis-based programs
Students in a thesis-based degree (master’s or doctoral) program pay annual tuition fees.
[Learn more](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/bdf3d650a14247e4912def1671b7ba09)
### Course-based programs
Students in most course-based master’s programs pay tuition fees on a per-course basis.
[Learn more](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/ce16b6273a714fa59932f6c19112cd31)
### Program-specific fees
Some course-based programs may charge additional program fees, or use a program-specific fee structure.
[Learn more](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/8dcba8d997424a5994f8ff50034e8bbb)
## Understanding General Fees
## Understanding Thesis-based Tuition Fees
## Understanding Course-based Tuition Fees
## How do I pay?
---
#### Students can pay via:
Online banking, international funds transfer, cheque, money order or bank draft, and In person (debit).
[Visit the registrar](https://ucalgary.ca/registrar/finances/tuition-and-fees)
#### Payment plan
The Graduate Student Payment Plan is available to eligible graduate students who wish to spread their fee payments over a specified period of time.
[Learn more](https://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/finances/tuition-and-fees/graduate-student-payment-plan)
## Want to know the cost of your program?
See the Academic Calendar entry on fees.
[Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/tuitionandfeesoverview/tuitionandfees)
## How do I fund graduate school?
### Scholarships
Full-time students registered in a graduate degree program at the university are eligible for awards and financial assistance. There are also select awards available for prospective students. You are encouraged to apply for awards at the same time you apply to become a graduate student at the University of Calgary. All you need is your UCalgary student number (UCID). You are not required to meet the eligibility requirements in the terms of reference of an award when you apply, but if successful, you must meet the eligibility requirements at the time the award is paid.
[Learn about applying for awards](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-guide/step-1-applying)
### Student loans
Government student assistance programs (student loans) are available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and American citizens.
[View student loan options](https://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/finances/student-loans)
### Third-party funding
Highly competitive awards are available through external agencies and Canadian and international governments. If you are an international student, check with your home government for funding options.
[View third-party funding information](http://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities)
### Self-funding
You may be able to fund your own studies by saving enough to cover tuition and fees ahead of time, or by enrolling part-time while you work outside of the university.
## Funding sources
#### [Funding for thesis-based students](#collapse346840480)
Most thesis-based graduate programs provide funding for students in the first two years of an MA or MSc thesis-based program, and the first four of a PhD. More information is available from the program.
[Learn more](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/node/3740)
#### [External awards](#collapse508064209)
We also have a listing of external awards organized by subject to help you find the award that fits your research or study area.
[See external awards options](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/search-awards)
#### [Indigenous student funding](#collapse1030169128)
There are several funding opportunities available for Indigenous graduate applicants available through the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
[See award opportunities](http://grad.ucalgary.ca/awards/award-opportunities/indigenous/indigenous-external)
#### [Graduate assistantships](#collapse1448410749)
Each year, most faculties have several graduate teaching and research assistantships available for students. Contact your program for information about eligibility, application deadlines and procedures.
[Learn more about assistantships](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/current-students/thesis-based-students/fees-and-funding/funding-options)
#### [Scholarships](#collapse169101979)
The Faculty of Graduate Studies administers a wide variety of award competitions funded from a variety of sources, allowing students to focus on their research. It’s important to apply for funding as early as possible.
[View scholarship opportunities](https://iac01.ucalgary.ca/FGSA/Public/PublicHome.aspx)
## Working during grad school - what are the implications?
The Faculty of Graduate Studies can help explain the rules and regulations concerning awards, grants and assistantships graduate students are eligible to receive.
[View regulations and policies](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/studfinsupport/awardsgrad)
Ready for graduate study at UCalgary?
[Explore programs](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs)