Dickinson State University
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $23,400 |
| Tuition & Fees | $4,716 |
| Living Expenses | $18,684 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $2,900 |
Cover Your $2,900 Gap
Dickinson State University MA students typically need $2,900 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Small gap — likely manageable
Your $2,900/year gap is below $5,000, which many students can cover through part-time work, savings, or a small private loan.
- A graduate assistantship or part-time work may cover the full gap
- Apply for department scholarships and external fellowships
- If borrowing privately, a small loan at competitive rates can bridge the difference
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Dickinson State University MA students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Dickinson State University MA students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Dickinson State University?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Dickinson State University MA cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Dickinson State University MA is $23,400 per year. Over the full 1-year program, the total cost is $23,400.
What is the funding gap for Dickinson State University MA?
The annual funding gap is $2,900, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($23,400) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). This is below the national median of $15,072 for Graduate (General) programs.
Is Dickinson State University MA classified as graduate or professional?
Dickinson State University MA is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.
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Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Dickinson State University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 200059.
- Program classification: MA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at Dickinson State University MA faces an annual funding gap of $2,900 based on a cost of attendance of $23,400 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.