Students are required to pay The Washington Center (TWC) program and housing fees in full prior to the start of the term of the Academic Internship Program. Each participating student will receive an invoice for the program and housing fees directly from The Washington Center, less any scholarships awarded to the student by the TWC (including the Arkansas Scholarship for residents of Arkansas attending colleges and universities in state of Arkansas). In addition, the TWC provides the opportunity for students to apply for private scholarships, including the Samuel G. Rose Scholarship for students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
With the exception of some UCA course fees (e.g., Journalism technology fee), UCA students who participate in the TWC program are not billed for UCA tuition/fees for the courses directly related to the TWC internship program in the spring, fall, and summer terms — twelve credit hours in the fall/spring and nine credit hours in the summer. The UCA Office of Financial Aid may be able to assist eligible students with the costs of participating in the TWC program. Please contact the UCA Office of Financial Aid for more information about potential sources of financial assistance. Students should keep in mind any minimum credit hour requirements for maintaining UCA financial assistance and scholarships.
Estimated Cost Comparison (UCA semester and TWC semester)
| Fall/Spring at UCA | 2023-2024 | Spring/Fall at TWC | 2024 |
| Tuition and Fees (15 hours) | $5,059.15 | TWC Program Fee | $9,700.00 |
| Room and Board | $4,484.00 | TWC Housing Fee | $6,570.00 |
| Subtotal |
$9,543.15 | Subtotal** |
$16,270.00 |
| Additional Expenses: | Additional Expenses: | ||
| Estimated Books and Supplies | $600.00 | Estimated Personal Expenses (including meals) | $2,800.00 |
| Estimated Personal Expenses |
$1,000.00 | Estimated Transportation Expenses (round-trip airfare and public transportation) | $1,200.00 |
| Total Estimated Costs* | $11,143.15 | Total Estimated Costs*** | $20,270.00 |
| Notes: | |||
* The total estimated costs for UCA students attending classes on campus vary depending on housing options and meal plans. This estimate is based on a student living in a residential hall, double-room, Tier 2 ($2,515.00) and the total access meal plan ($1,969.00).
** The TWC program and housing fees are lower in the summer terms compared to the spring and fall terms. In the summer term, the program fee is $7,320.00 and the housing fee is $4,990.00. The subtotal is $12,310.00 for students participating in TWC program in the summer term.
*** The total estimated costs for UCA students participating in TWC program in the summer, fall, or spring terms may be offset by a scholarship ($7,000.00) awarded to eligible UCA students by the State of Arkansas (see eligibility information below). If awarded the scholarship, the total estimated costs in the fall/spring terms would be $13,270.00.
Arkansas Scholarship for The Washington Center (TWC) Program
Some applicants may be eligible for a scholarship from the State of Arkansas. In 2023, the Arkansas Scholarship is expected to be $7,000.00 for a limited number of eligible students participating in the internship program. In order to be eligible for the Arkansas Scholarship, an applicant from UCA must:
- be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien;
- be a resident of the state of Arkansas;
- be at least a second-semester sophomore at UCA and have a minimum 2.75 GPA;
- be enrolled in a four-year, baccalaureate degree program at UCA; and
- be approved to participate in the internship program in the spring, summer, or fall.
Other Scholarships
The Washington Center has information on additional private scholarships for which applicants may be eligible.
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For more information, please contact:
Dr. Mark Mullenbach, UCA Liaison
Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies
Irby Hall 217
markm@uca.edu
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