WashU Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) provides access to a world-class education that modern learners can afford. CAPS is designed to meet the educational needs of those who are seeking to expand their professional skills, who wish to earn a degree or certificate, or who are lifelong learners with a yen to explore new fields and interests. 

We realize that financing an education can be a challenge. Explore our tuition payment methods for guidance or look over financial aid terminology to gain a better understanding of the terms and definitions related to student aid.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition rates for WashU Continuing & Professional Studies undergraduate and graduate courses can be found online on the Paying for School webpage. Tuition varies according to course and program.

Refunds

All refunds are calculated from the date on which the student completes an online course change form. If the original payment was made by credit card, a refund will be applied to the student's credit card. Otherwise, students have the option to receive refunds via direct deposit or check. For more information, visit the Student Accounts webpage.

WashU Continuing & Professional Studies grants full refunds to individuals called to active military duty.

More information can be found on the Refund Policies & Deadlines webpage.

Financial Aid & Tuition

Financial assistance is available to part-time and full-time CAPS students in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, remission, and payment plans. Learn more about available financial aid at CAPS.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is evaluated for all students at the end of the spring semester. The minimum grade point average (GPA) required to maintain eligibility for federal student aid is determined by the student's specific program of study. In accordance with 34 C.F.R. 668.34(a)(4)(ii), undergraduate students must maintain at least a C average (equivalent to a 2.0 GPA) to be eligible for federal financial aid. However, individual degree or certificate programs may require a higher minimum GPA to meet SAP standards.

Students must also complete their program within 150% of the published program length, as measured in attempted credit hours.

To remain in good standing for SAP:

• Undergraduate students must complete at least 67% of attempted coursework and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Graduate students must complete at least 67% of attempted coursework and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Students who are not meeting SAP standards may appeal based on documented extenuating circumstances.

Other Financial Assistance and Payment Options

WashU Employees: Full-time WashU employees and their families are eligible for WashU Continuing & Professional Studies tuition remission. Learn more about WashU’s Employee Tuition Assistance program.

Postdoctoral Appointees: Individuals appointed under the Postdoctoral Education Policy (effective July 1, 2004) having the titles of Postdoctoral Research Associate and Postdoctoral Research Scholar are eligible for the Postdoctoral Tuition Plan. Qualified individuals receive tuition remission on up to 4 credits per semester of WashU Continuing & Professional Studies undergraduate for-credit coursework. Courses may be taken at any time during the day or evening but must be taken at the undergraduate level (4000 level and below) and for career development purposes only. Courses may be taxable to Postdoctoral Research Scholars (non-employees). A passing grade in the course is required for the student to retain the tuition remission. For more information, visit the Employee Tuition Assistance webpage.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement: Many companies in the St. Louis area pay all or part of their employees' tuition. If your employer has a tuition reimbursement plan that pays all or part of your tuition, you can defer all or part of the tuition until the end of the semester. (This option requires written verification at the time of registration.) Interested individuals should contact their supervisor or personnel/human resources department at their place of employment to determine if a tuition reimbursement plan is available. Payment is due approximately 30 days after the end of the semester. This payment option is not available during the summer. For more information, visit the Tuition & Fees webpage.

Dependent Child Benefits: After seven years of full-time service (or its equivalent if one works part-time), eligible dependent children may receive up to eight semesters of tuition assistance for undergraduate studies. The level of benefit paid is determined by the date of hire and full- or part-time status at the time the employee utilizes the benefit. Tuition assistance benefits are tax-free for birth, adopted and stepchildren. Benefits for children of domestic partners are a taxable benefit to the employee. Note: Prior full-time service at another accredited university may count toward the service requirement for this benefit. WashU provides two forms of tuition assistance benefits for dependent children of its full- and part-time employees who meet certain eligibility requirements: (1) a full tuition remission benefit at WashU and a partial tuition remission benefit at other accredited institutions for the dependent children of full-time employees; and (2) a partial tuition remission benefit at WashU and other accredited institutions for the dependent children of part-time employees. Learn more about the Dependent Child Tuition Assistance benefit.

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