Earn Transfer Credits
Making college affordable isn’t just about competitive tuition rates, personalization, and flexible scheduling. Unity is also Transfer Credit Friendly, which means you can cut time and money off your degree.
All transcripts should be sent to TES@unity.edu.
Send an unofficial transcript for review by our Transfer Credit Evaluation team to TES@unity.edu! We’ll review the classes and/or test scores and show you exactly how they apply towards your program, for free, before you commit to attending or send official copies.
Yes! Unity accepts a variety of transcript types. Aside from a traditional transcript, Unity also accepts:
- Joint Service Transcripts
- Associate’s or technical degree
- AP Test Scores
Sophia Learning is a subscription-based, self-directed learning platform where students can complete foundational courses. Be sure to check with your new student navigator or advisors about which courses apply to your degree.
Through our Credit for Prior Learning policy, we allow you to submit a portfolio of work related to internships, work experiences, and uncertified credentials that are applicable to your degree program. Your Advisor will help you create your electronic portfolio and match it to course outcomes for a Unity course.
Scholarships
Scholarships are free money awarded to students based on specific qualifying information, such as program, GPA, or financial need.
Scholarships are awarded from a variety of sources, including local government agencies, companies, non-profits, or philanthropic organizations.
Some colleges raise tuition and then offer discounts (often called merit aid) to make it seem more affordable. At Unity, we take a different approach. We charge by the credit hour and intentionally keep costs low for everyone. Because our pricing is already fair and transparent, there’s no need to offer discounts disguised as merit aid. It’s a straightforward, honest way to help you earn your degree without the confusion.
There are tons of independent organizations offering scholarships, but it can be a challenge to find current, reliable scholarships applicable to you. Review our guide to identify local, state, and national sources of scholarship funding.
Once you have your scholarship awarded, get in touch with your New Student Navigator or Advisor to talk through how the money will be applied to your bill. Every scholarship works a little differently, so be sure to ask how the funds are issued once you are awarded!
Private Loans
While they aren’t common at Unity, private educational loans can be a worthwhile resource for students in specific scenarios.
If you fit into these categories:
- You want to finish your degree faster, and want to take more credits that Financial Aid will cover.
- You are near or at the limit of your Lifetime Limit for Federal Loan Eligibility.
If you fall under either of those categories, you’ll want to carefully consider your private loan options. Remember, even private loans can’t exceed your Cost of Attendance, so you’re not necessarily looking for the biggest loan. Instead, look for the most favorable conditions and best customer support from the servicer.
- How many times per year do they send loans to Unity on your behalf? While Unity has 8 start dates, many private loans only send funds 4 times per year.
- Will you be expected to make payments on the loan while you’re still enrolled in school? If so, how much will those payments be?
- Is the interest rate fixed or variable? Interest rates that change will often follow the highest interest rates.
For a full breakdown of what to consider, review the Private Loan Guide.
Work While You Learn
Working while in college isn’t just about income. It’s also about outcomes.
Unity’s online courses are designed to be accessible to working adults. Deadlines are the same every week, and you will never be required to “log on” for a scheduled video lecture.
That gives you the freedom to gain valuable work experience while taking classes and continue to make money to support yourself. If you don’t currently have a job, we’ll even help you get one!
Working while learning allows you to:
- Build your resume
- Show your skills
- Expand your professional network
- Reduce your student debt
- Unity will help you find a job while you finish your classes. Your advisor can help you with in-field resources and application preparations.
- Connect with employers through the Career Hub
- View curated opportunities posted on the LinkedIn Professional Network
- Unity partners with preferred employers that can help you get traction in the job market
Explore your options on the Career Services page
Yes! Searching for an internship can be very similar to looking for a job. Unity also has resources to help build a resume specifically tailored for internship applications by leveraging your program learning outcomes and course projects. We also proactively share remote or paid internship opportunities specific to our majors to help you find the best opportunity.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement or Benefits
Many employers offer some kind of tuition assistance, including for part-time employees. But this benefit often goes unused. If you’re considering school online with Unity Environmental University, it’s a great time to ask your employer about tuition reimbursement.
Tuition reimbursement is when an employer helps pay for your education. It’s sometimes called “tuition assistance” or “educational benefits.” Employers may cover part or all of your tuition if the program supports your career growth.
When you are pursuing a Unity degree online:
- Gain skills employers from all industries love, like information processing, teamwork, planning/prioritizing, decision making/problem solving, and verbal communication.
- Apply new knowledge to your current job, including leveraging AI tools.
- Demonstrate commitment to growth and development to your employer.
Start by scheduling a short meeting with your supervisor or HR. Highlight:
- Unity’s flexible online format, designed for working adults that allow you to take high volume times off from school.
- Career-aligned degrees focused on addressing issues of the future for businesses across sectors.
- Low, transparent costs: $470 per credit hour for undergraduates, $550 for graduate students, with tuition locked through 2030.
You can also remind them that investing in your education can lead to better outcomes for your team, and that you’re committed to applying what you learn right away.
Review the Tuition Reimbursement Checklist and use our baccalaureate request template or our graduate request template to get started!
Military Benefits
Students who are currently Active Duty service members, military veterans, or military dependents may qualify for VA Education Benefits or Active Duty Tuition Assistance.
If you have never applied for benefits before, check out the Military Benefits Guide to learn about the different types of benefits.
Third-Party Payers
529 Accounts
Some students utilize a 529 College savings account to help fund their education. If you have a 529 plan, you may need to mail your check every term. Be sure to have it mailed to:
ATTN: Bursar
Unity Environmental University
70 Farm View Drive, Suite 200
New Gloucester, ME 04260
Family Support
You may have family members looking to help you pay for courses! If you do, Unity allows you to complete a privacy release form (FERPA) in the Unity student portal.
The form will invite your family members to their payment portal so they can access the account to make payments on your behalf at any time.
Want to Use Multiple Types of Funding?
If you have federal loans as part of a FAFSA award, you can still use alternative funding sources to reduce your borrowing total.
With the ability to change your loan amounts every term, you can take what you need as your situation changes. See how to accept and decline your loans in the student portal.
Paying Out of Pocket
There are lots of ways to pay for college at Unity! Here, we’ll walk you through paying “out of pocket,” which means covering your tuition and fees without using financial aid or military benefits. You (or a family member) would pay Unity directly, either all at once or through a payment plan.
- Baccalaureate Programs: $470 per credit hour ($423 for military students)
- Graduate Programs: $550 per credit hour ($495 for military students)
No hidden fees! Over 50% of courses don’t require textbooks, and those that do keep costs under $100.
- Pay in Full: You can pay your tuition upfront each term.
Best for: Students who want to keep things simple or avoid ongoing monthly payments.
How It Works: Once you’re registered for your course(s), you’ll receive a bill for the full tuition. You or a proxy can pay the entire amount upfront before the term begins.
- Payment Plan: Break your tuition into smaller payments over time during the term. Many students use this to make costs more manageable.
Best for: Students who want to budget their tuition over time.
How It Works: Break your tuition into smaller, manageable payments spread out during the term. Payment plans are arranged before the start of the term, and they help you avoid paying the full balance upfront. - Proxy Portal: You can set up a secure account for someone to make payments on your behalf.
Best for: Students with employer tuition benefits or other support paying for their courses.
How It Works: Once you’re registered for classes, you’ll get access to your Student Portal. From there, you can fill out a FERPA Form to give others access to make a payment on your behalf. They can choose to pay via card or bank account. - All Of The Above (and More!): Choose a combination of all of the above and combine it with financial aid or other benefits. You can discuss all of your payment options with your concierge or new student navigator to understand the best plan for you.
- Unity’s tuition is locked through 2030, so you won’t get hit with surprise increases during your program.
- The only fee we have is a $100 graduation fee when you finish your degree.
Payment Resources
- Where Can I See My Bill?
Visit the Adjust Aid & View Statements page in your Student Portal. There you can see future and past statements.
To receive a 100% refund on a course, you must drop the course before the end of the add/drop period. After midnight of the last day of the add/drop period, you are no longer eligible for a refund.
On your Student Portal homepage, go to the ‘Finance’s Quick Links’ section. Click ‘Enroll in Direct Deposit’ to reach the portal. Scroll down and click ‘Sign Up for Direct Deposit Refunds.’Enter Your Bank Details: follow the three steps to enter your bank account information. After entering your name and bank account details, click ‘Save’ to complete the setup. Note: The university can only deposit money, not withdraw funds.
