Every year, I speak with many admitted and prospective students about how to finance their Fuqua degree. The financial aid landscape can be confusing, but there’s no reason to navigate it alone. Our team members at the financial aid office work hard to ensure that resources are transparent, personalized, and inclusive of all students, regardless of their background or citizenship.

As a financial aid administrator, I aim to guide students through this process, simplifying the steps to receiving aid and helping to make attending Fuqua a reality.

What’s Changing With Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

Effective July 1, 2026, there will be significant changes to federal student aid funding options. One major shift that prospective students need to know about is the federal government’s decision to eliminate the Grad PLUS loan program. This change will impact many U.S. citizens and permanent residents who would have relied on this federal student loan option to help finance their education and the cost of attendance.

However, this decision is not an end to all federal student loans. Borrowers who qualify may receive a Direct Unsubsidized loan for up to $20,500 per year with a $100,000 overall borrowing cap. Please visit this page to learn more about the federal student aid updates and recent legislation regarding available resources.

Other Student Loan Programs

Duke’s leadership has proactively assembled a list of financial support options via private lenders for graduate programs, such as Fuqua, offering competitive rates and terms. These private student loan options are available to both domestic and international students and may be used to help cover educational costs without having to rely on personal resources.

We recognize that international students often face added complexity when it comes to financing, including cosigner requirements for most loans with lower interest rates. That’s why we’ve prioritized identifying private loan options that don’t require a U.S. cosigner, in addition to the institutional aid offered through Fuqua.

Understanding Program Costs

The program costs for the Weekend Executive MBA include tuition, class materials, books, and a program residency fee. Incoming students can typically expect tuition and fees to be finalized in August of the year prior to their program start date (e.g., the program cost for students entering in May 2026 was finalized in August 2025). You can find the most up-to-date tuition information here.

Start Planning Early

We encourage all applicants, regardless of citizenship, to start planning early. Exploring scholarship opportunities even prior to submitting your admission application is advisable, as deadlines for non-Fuqua-related scholarships vary greatly.

A crucial step for domestic students and permanent residents is filing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as they are able. More information about FAFSA, scholarships, student loans, and other helpful resources is available on our Financing Your Degree page.

Our goal is to help all students find ways to remove as many financial barriers as possible so they can focus on making the most of their experience.