Savanna Hoffman
At the University of Cincinnati, undergraduate engineering degrees take five years to complete, unlike the typical four-year bachelor's degree program. Students receive unique, hands-on experiences during their time at the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) through the cooperative education (co-op) program. While on co-op, students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition based on credit hours. This fee is significantly less than the cost of full tuition and allows students continued access to university facilities. Students are responsible for finding, applying, interviewing, and securing co-op positions on their own, but they are provided with resources and support along the way. On average, students earn $2,500 to $3,500 per month during a full-time co-op assignment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do UC students pay tuition during co-op? | Students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition based on credit hours. This fee is significantly less than the cost of full tuition. |
| What is a co-op? | A fixed-length, full-time employment experience with a company in the professional field; otherwise known as experiential learning. |
| Who finds the co-op positions? | Students are responsible for finding, applying, interviewing, and securing co-op positions on their own. However, advisors through the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) and UC offer resources and support. |
| How much do students earn during a co-op? | On average, students earn $2,500 to $3,500 per month during a full-time co-op assignment. Each co-op employer determines the wage and compensates the student directly. |
| What is the duration of the co-op program? | Students typically have the summer off after their first academic year, then alternate between co-op and academic semesters year-round, with no break until graduation. |
| Can students take classes during a co-op semester? | Students are allowed to take up to six credits during a co-op semester if the class does not interfere with the co-op assignment. Approval must be secured from the relevant advisors and the Chairman of the Committee on Academic Standards. |
| Can students substitute coursework during a co-op semester? | Yes, with permission. Students must submit a petition along with a letter from the employer stating that the employer is aware and allows for the necessary flexibility in work hours. |
| What is the fee structure for co-op? | For a full-time co-op (35 or more hours per week), students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition. For part-time co-op (less than 35 hours per week), students pay tuition per credit hour. |
| What is the purpose of the co-op fee? | The co-op fee allows students to maintain their status as full-time students, which is crucial for retaining financial aid and student health insurance. It also grants continued access to university facilities. |
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What You'll Learn
Students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition
At the University of Cincinnati, students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) follow a five-year undergraduate engineering degree program. This is unlike the typical four-year bachelor's degree program. The extra year allows students to gain hands-on experiences through the cooperative education (co-op) program. This program is built into the curriculum, and students alternate between semesters in the classroom and semesters working full-time in industry or research.
Co-op positions are full-time, paid employment experiences with a company in the professional field. Students are responsible for finding, applying, interviewing, and securing co-op positions on their own. However, advisors from the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) and UC offer resources and support along the way. During their first year, students take a "Co-op for CEAS" course that provides professional development and prepares them for their job search. On average, students earn $2,500 to $3,500 per month during a full-time co-op assignment.
While on co-op, students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition based on credit hours. This fee is significantly lower than the cost of full tuition. Paying this fee ensures that students maintain their full-time student status, which is crucial for retaining financial aid and student health insurance. It also allows continued access to university facilities such as the recreation center. Students who register for a full-time co-op (35 or more hours per week) will pay this fee instead of a semester of tuition. Those who register for part-time co-op (less than 35 hours per week) will pay tuition per credit hour.
While on co-op, students generally follow the employer's holiday schedule and work hours, not the university's. The co-op experience must be an extension of the classroom and career-oriented, allowing students to apply knowledge gained in class. It must be compensated, and the skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
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Co-op earnings can fund tuition
At the University of Cincinnati (UC), students enrolled in the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) can participate in a cooperative education (co-op) program. This program allows students to alternate between semesters in the classroom and semesters working full-time in industry or research. The co-op program is built into the curriculum and is a form of experiential learning, where students directly apply what they've learned in class to their work at a company, agency, or research firm.
While on a co-op assignment, students are paid directly by their employer, and the wages can be used to fund a large chunk of their tuition and fees. On average, students earn $2,500 to $3,500 per month during a full-time co-op assignment, and the wage varies based on the field, industry, and level of experience. This income can significantly offset the cost of tuition, which is typically a student's largest expense.
It is important to note that while on co-op, students are required to pay a co-op fee instead of tuition. This fee is substantially lower than the cost of full tuition and allows students to maintain their full-time student status, which is crucial for financial aid and student health insurance. The co-op fee also grants students continued access to university facilities such as the recreation center.
Overall, the earnings from a co-op position can substantially reduce the financial burden of tuition fees. Not only do co-ops provide valuable hands-on experience and a head start on building a career, but they also offer a practical way for students to fund their education. By participating in the co-op program, students at UC can gain financial independence while also gaining real-world experience in their chosen field.
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Co-op terms have lower tuition costs
At the University of Cincinnati (UC), engineering degrees take five years to complete, unlike the typical four-year bachelor's degree program. This extra year allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience through the cooperative education (co-op) program. The co-op program is built into the curriculum, and students alternate between semesters in the classroom and semesters working full-time in industry or research.
During co-op terms, students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition based on credit hours. This fee is significantly lower than the cost of full tuition. For example, students who register for a full-time co-op (35 or more hours per week) will pay a co-op fee instead of a semester of tuition. The fee allows students to maintain their status as full-time students, which is crucial for retaining financial aid and student health insurance. It also grants continued access to university facilities such as the recreation center.
The co-op fee may vary, but it is generally much lower than the price of tuition. Students can use their earnings from co-op assignments to pay a large chunk of their tuition and fees. On average, students earn $2,500 to $3,500 per month during a full-time co-op assignment. Each co-op employer determines the wage and compensates the student directly. Similar to regular salaries, co-op wages vary based on the field, industry, and level of experience.
While on co-op, students are expected to follow the employer's holiday schedule and work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Students are responsible for finding, applying, interviewing, and securing co-op positions on their own, but the university offers many helpful resources, including career fairs and co-op advisors. The co-op experience must be an extension of the classroom and career-oriented, allowing students to apply knowledge gained in the classroom.
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Co-op students have limited summer aid options
At the University of Cincinnati, co-op students have limited summer aid options. While on co-op, students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition based on credit hours. This fee is significantly less than the cost of full tuition. Paying this fee ensures that students maintain their full-time status, which is crucial for retaining financial aid and student health insurance.
Students who only plan to attend one in-class semester during an academic year should consider reducing their loan borrowing as tuition costs will be lowest that year, and they will have more earnings. Students who borrow the maximum amount allowed for a dependent student each of their five years will have only $4,000 left for their final year, which may have more in-class terms and tuition costs.
Co-op earnings can also reduce reliance on loans and pay for upcoming in-class terms. Students should take a look at their loan borrowing relative to maximum loan eligibility, co-op rotations, and overall financial planning. Students can also use scholarships and grants to fund their co-op terms. Renewable scholarships may continue through a four-year equivalency, even though their academic career will take longer. The Federal Pell Grant will post for fall-spring, and students will then be reviewed for summer Pell eligibility.
Summer aid is limited as most students exhaust their annual aid eligibility during the academic year. Students taking summer classes will need to plan accordingly to meet their anticipated higher summer bill. Alternative loans are available for summer students, but these should be explored on a limited basis. Students can initiate summer loan requests via email or at Enrollment Services.
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Co-op earnings reduce reliance on loans
The University of Cincinnati's cooperative education (co-op) program allows students to alternate between semesters in the classroom and semesters working full-time in their chosen industry or field of research. The co-op program is built into the curriculum and is a mandatory, full-time, year-round commitment.
Students on the co-op program are paid for their work and can expect to earn on average $2,500 to $3,500 per month during a full-time co-op assignment. This figure is based on student wages reported in 2023-2024, and individual earnings will vary based on the field, industry, and level of experience.
During co-op semesters, students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition fees. This fee is substantially lower than the cost of full tuition and allows students to maintain their full-time student status, which is crucial for retaining financial aid and student health insurance.
The earnings students receive during their co-op semesters can be used to pay for a large chunk of their tuition and other fees. This reduces their reliance on loans to fund their education and can help them graduate with less debt. The co-op program also provides students with valuable hands-on experience and a head start on building their careers.
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Frequently asked questions
Students pay a co-op fee instead of tuition based on credit hours. This fee is significantly less than the cost of full tuition.
The co-op fee may vary, but it is substantially lower than the price of tuition.
The co-op fee allows students to maintain their status as full-time students while on co-op, letting the university know they plan on returning to classes and campus the following semester.
Paying the co-op fee ensures that students maintain their full-time student status, which is crucial for retaining financial aid and student health insurance.
Yes, some students are able to pay for a large chunk of their tuition and fees with their co-op earnings.
