Scholarships and Discounts

There are many financial aid options available to help make your education dreams a reality. Below are some of the discounts and scholarships available to students in the School of Behavioral Sciences; individuals applying to undergraduate programs are also encouraged to inquire with the Student Services Center, while those interested in graduate programs are encouraged to contact Graduate and Professional Student Financial Services.

Students must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. If qualifications are met, the discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

CCCU Alumni Discount

APU’s School of Behavioral Sciences offers a 10 percent CCCU alumni tuition discount for graduates of CCCU schools starting in the following graduate program:

• Master of Science in Research Psychology and Data Analysis

Students must maintain continuous enrollment at least half-time for the fall and spring terms. Students must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. If qualifications are met, the discount may be renewed each year until graduation. This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Students fill out the CCCU Alumni Tuition Discount Form. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

CCCU Employees Tuition Discount

In support of institutions affiliated with the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), APU offers a 10 percent tuition discount for the EdD in Higher Education Leadership or the PhD in Higher Education program to any full-time faculty member or administrator of any CCCU-affiliated institution. The amount of institutional aid is subject to coordination with federal, state, and institutional regulations, which may result in a reduction of this benefit. For more information, contact the department at [email protected].

Plus One Discount

If two or more students from the same institution enroll in the same higher education cohort in the same year, each one is eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount. For more information, contact the department at [email protected].

Law Enforcement Discount

The School of Behavioral Sciences offers a 15 percent tuition discount for eligible law enforcement employees, their spouses, and their dependents (up to age 26) starting in one of the following professional bachelor’s completion programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (bachelor’s completion)
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (bachelor’s completion)

Students fill out the APU Law Enforcement Discount Form and provide proof of employment for the relevant academic year. This tuition discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid and only applies to core courses (general education courses are not covered by discount). Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

MOU Partner Tuition Discounts

Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs

The School of Behavioral Sciences offers a 15 percent tuition discount for eligible employees, their spouses, and their dependents up to age 26 of the following organizations who will start in one of APU’s professional bachelor’s degree completion programs—either the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice or the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

• County of Riverside
• Hesperia Unified School District
• Town of Apple Valley

Students fill out the MOU Discount Form and provide proof of employment along with a form every year of enrollment. This tuition discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid and only applies to core courses (general education courses are not covered by discount). Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

Education and Physical Education Programs

The School of Education and the School of Behavioral Sciences offer a 10 percent tuition discount for eligible employees of the following districts, counties, and charter schools who will start in a graduate education program through the School of Education or a graduate physical education program through the School of Behavioral Sciences.

Please note: The School of Education’s doctoral program (Ed.D. in Educational Leadership) is not eligible for any MOU discount. The discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.

Note: School and district MOU partners are subject to change. Contact the Student Services Center at [email protected] or (626) 815-2020) to work with a Student Account Specialist and confirm current eligibility.

Students fill out the MOU Discount Form and provide proof of employment every year of enrollment. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

Veteran Discount

The School of Behavioral Sciences offers a 15 percent tuition discount for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependents starting in one of the following bachelor’s degree completion programs:

• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (bachelor’s completion)
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (bachelor’s completion)

Applicants must fill out the APU Veteran Discount Form and provide proof of military service with the application. This tuition discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid and only applies to core courses (general education courses are not covered by discount). Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

Clinical Psychology Scholarships

PsyD Teaching and Research Assistantships

Funds are allocated to provide two Teaching-Research Assistantships (TRAs) each academic year per cohort throughout the program. TRAs receive a $9,000 scholarship per year, available up to four years for a total of $36,000. As part of the assistantship, TRAs provide 8 hours of service per week in the Department of Clinical Psychology from September through June of each academic year.

Preference is given to applicants who evidence cultural knowledge and language skills that facilitate the provision of psychological services in underresourced and marginalized communities, and a commitment to provide psychological services in underresourced communities following graduation. In addition, strong academic credentials (e.g., GPA) and financial need are taken into account. Applications for the assistantships and criteria for evaluation of applications are available in the Department of Clinical Psychology.

Higher Education Scholarships

College Counseling and Student Development Assistantships

A number of scholarships are available to CCSD students on an annual basis. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and/or merit and in amounts typically ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. Scholarship applicants are strongly encouraged to meet the CCSD program application priority deadline of January 31. The CCSD Scholarship Application is due by March 14. For more information, contact the program coordinator at (626) 815-5485 or [email protected].

PhD in Higher Education Fellowships

A limited number of academic merit and leadership scholarships are available to entering students whose admission portfolios have provided evidence of such merit and/or leadership. These scholarships involve funding of $3,500 for each year of coursework in the program (three years maximum), as long as the student remains in good academic standing (defined as a minimum GPA of 3.2) and meets annual expectations.Those interested in applying for any of the research scholarships should submit their CV and responses to the proposed essay questions for the specific scholarship by March 15 to: Dr. Karen Longman, PhD Program Director, [email protected]. Continuing students may be supported by research or teaching assistantships of up to $2,000 a year, by faculty invitation only. Dissertation fellowships of $2,000 are awarded on a competitive basis at the dissertation proposal stage.

Master of Social Work Scholarships

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students

The Master of Social Work program at Azusa Pacific University seeks to promote diversity among the behavioral health workforce within state-designated medically underserved communities (MUCs) by providing Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) awards to eligible recipients through funding provided by the HRSA.

Scholarship recipients must be attending the MSW program on a full-time basis and choose the clinical specialization. The scholarship is $30,000 per year, with approximately 10 scholarships awarded per academic year. To learn more about the qualifications and to apply, visit the MSW Program website.

Physical Education Scholarships

Kyle Ian MacDonald Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is in honor of Kyle Ian MacDonald, MS ’15, a graduate of APU’s MS in Physical Education program. The intent of this scholarship is to financially support students in the pursuit of teaching and mentoring students through coaching, physical education, exercise science, and sport management. Awards range from $2,500-$2,800. To apply, fill out the Kyle Ian MacDonald Memorial Scholarship Application (PDF) by August 1 and email the completed form to [email protected].

Physical Therapy Scholarships

Physical Therapy Graduate Student Assistantships

Third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students are eligible to apply for one of five graduate assistantships valued at $6,000 plus 50 percent remission of the third year’s tuition. Students awarded graduate assistantships are expected to work an average of 15 hours/week for one full year, assisting instructors with classroom and research duties. Applications for the assistantships are available in the Department of Physical Therapy.

Gawenda Seminars and Consulting Scholarship

This scholarship honors Gawenda’s appreciation of the Christian student in financial need in the incoming class of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. One scholarship approximating $2,000-$3,000 is awarded annually to an incoming DPT student.

Kathy Kumagai Shimamura Scholarship Endowment

This scholarship is given to a third-year Doctorate of Physical Therapy student who demonstrates leadership potential, excellent skills, and an attitude of Christian service in engagement with colleagues, faculty, patients, and the community.

Note: This information is current for the 2024-25 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.

 

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Footnotes

1. Discount only applies to Inland Empire, Orange County, and San Diego regional campuses.