Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid

Tuition

CUs - Course Units at Penn

Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (CU). A CU is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer), and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. In the MSGC program, one CU represents a semester-long, three-four hour per week course. Tuition is billed by CU, as are the University's mandatory general, clinical and technology fees.

Required CUs for the MSGC Degree at Penn

The MSGC program has fourteen required CUs, eight in the first year of the program and six in the second year.

• In the first year of the program, students are billed for four CUs plus fees in the fall, and again in the spring.
• In the second year, students are billed for three CUs plus fees in the fall, and again in the spring. 

Tuition and Fees for the MSGC Program

The 2025–2026 tuition rate for the MSGC program, as well as the cost for the general, clinical, and technology fees, can be found on the Student Registration and Services website for Penn's Medical Master's Programs. Scroll down and click on "Genetic Counseling" to see the cost per semester.  (Note that some fees are only charged to full time students, and some do not increase after 3 CU, so you have to add the semester totals rather than muliply the 1 CU cost by 14 to get the total cost of tuition. )

Living Expenses

In addition to tuition and fees, students also have living expenses while attending the program.  Costs for housing, transportation, food, and other day to day expenses vary depending on a student's circumstances, of course, but each year the University calculates estimated living expenses for graduate students to aid them in budget planning. These estimates are also important if a student needs to borrow money for living expenses.  They are listed under tuition and fees on the Student Registration and Services website.

Students attending the University are required to have and show proof of adequate health insurance. Students with private insurance must provide policy information and request a waiver through Penn student health services before the end of the first month of classes each semester.  Students who need insurance can purchase the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) for $4,662 per year (2025-26 rate). Any full-time student who does not complete the Penn Insurance Waiver will be charged for the PSIP plan.

Program Specific Costs

♦ Books and supplies:  year one ≈ $300; year two ≈ $200    

Required textbooks are available electronically through the Penn library or are available on reserve.  Some students choose to purchase books for their convenience or for future study.

♦ Travel to clinic: varies depending on home address and mode of transportation.

♦ Background checks and clinical clearances: approximately $200

Financing Graduate Studies at Penn

It’s never too early to make a plan for financing your education. It is recommended that you start researching your eligibility and loan options as soon as possible. Visit the following resources on Penn websites and federal websites to guide you through the process. 

Penn’s Student Financial Services office is available to prospective and current students for financial aid inquiries.

Federal Student Loans & the FAFSA form

 Click here for information specific to medical master's program, including:

• Contact information for the Student Financial Services office
• Timeline / deadlines to apply for federal student loans
• Federal load eligibility requirements and limits
• Link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) page on the Department of Education's website

Anyone interested in receiving federal education loans should complete the FAFSA form as early as possible.  Currently, eligible students attending graduate school or professional school full time can borrow up to $20,500 per year in Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

Private Alternative Loans: UPenn's Preferred Lender Arrangements

Penn-created options for when federal loans are not enough.

Private education loans are non-federal, credit-based loans offered by banks, credit unions, state agencies, and private education loan providers. These loans can help cover educational expenses that may remain after all other forms of financial aid have been applied not to exceed your Cost of Attendance.

Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has implemented Preferred Lender Arrangements in response to recent changes in federal loan program regulations that take effect on July 1, 2026.  These regulatory changes have created a need for private loan funding options that will ensure that Penn students and their families can continue to access needed financial resources.  

from the Student Financial Services website: https://srfs.upenn.edu/financial-aid/loans/private-alternative

Visit the website to learn about the lenders, options and terms.

Work Study Positions

A wide variety of part-time positions are available at the University for students who qualify for the federal Work Study program. In addition, an active community job board is open to all students. 

Many students also find part time positions at the Penn and CHOP hospitals during their time in the program. Most students find that they can manage a part-time job working a maximum of 8-10 hours per week while completing the program.

Graduate Student Assistantships

While not guaranteed, some GA positions are available through the program and the University.

Billing Procedures

Bursar bills are mailed by the Office of Student Financial Services usually within 4-6 weeks after the registration has been processed. Bills are delivered electronically on a monthly basis. For both incoming AND continuing students, notification emails are sent each month informing them that a new monthly billing statement is available via the online bill system, Penn.Pay, accessible through the Penn Portal. Students can check Penn.Pay at any time to see if new items have been posted since the last billing statement.

There are a variety of payment methods available, including in-person, by mail, through wire transfer, or online through Penn.Pay.

Billing questions should be addressed to Student Financial Services, 215-898-1988.