Financial Aid

It is our commitment to provide an excellent service along with the proper financial aid to help you cover the costs of the Optometry Program. Students who meet the eligibility requirements are offered the combination of aids that best meets their needs.

Step 1

Get an FSA ID (account username and password) and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA] on studentaid.gov. Use our School Code G42510.

Step 2

Attend to a Direct Loan Orientation Session

Step 3

Complete the Entrance Counseling on www.studentaid.gov. The EC is a mandatory information session that explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower (only new students or if you are applying for financial aid first time in the School).

Step 4

Review your Financial Aid Offer on the InterWeb to accept, reduce, and/or decline your award(s) and fulfill all loan requirements before your financial aid can be credited to your student account.

Step 5

Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) on www.studentaid.gov. The MPN is a legal document that lists the terms and conditions under which you agree to repay the loan and explains your rights and responsibilities as a borrower (only new students or if you are applying for financial aid first time in the School).

Step 6

Accept the Registration Charges for the semester. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for deadlines.

Students must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to receive federal student aid:

  • Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Have a valid Social Security number
  • Be enrolled at least as a half time student
  • Not be in default in any previous student loans
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent
  • Be enrolled as a regular student

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Financial need is not required. The student must be enrolled at least half-time. The borrower is responsible for interest during all periods.

A fixed interest rate of 6.54% for loans first disbursed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023

Origination Fee: 1.057% for loans first disbursed up to September 30, 2023

The Annual Loan Limit for students of health professions is $40,500 The Aggregate Loan Limit for combined Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans is $224,000

Federal Graduate PLUS Loan

Financial need is not required. The student must be enrolled at least half-time. A credit check is required for a Plus loan. The borrower is responsible for interest during all periods. The maximum annual amount is the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.

A fixed interest rate of 7.54% for loans first disbursed between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023

Origination Fee: 4.228% for loans first disbursed up to September 30, 2023.

Institutional Scholarships

Every year an amount of Institutional funds is assigned to award scholarships to students with financial needs. Funds are also used to meet exceptional situations presented by students.

Alternative Loans

These loans provide supplemental funding when other financial aids do not cover costs. Alternative loans are also known as private loans and are offered by private lenders (banks or other financial institutions). These loans usually require a credit check. Students should first check on federal loan eligibility.

ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE 2022-2023

ITEMS FIRST-YEAR SECOND-YEAR THIRD-YEAR FOURTH-YEAR
Tuition $29,500 $29,000 $28,500 $27,750
Fees $1,140 $1,292 $1,160 $1,160
Books, Supplies & Equipment $7,765 $6,472 $1,444 $599
Room on Campus

Room off Campus

$6,500

$7,793

$6,500

$7,793

$6,500

$7,793

$ 8,872
Board

Board Independent living
with parents

 $6,382

$4,559

$6,382

$4,559

$6,382

$4,559

 $6,382
Personal Expenses $3,768 $3,768 $3,768 $3,768
Other fees $0.00 $0.00 $2,525 $2,400
Transportation $1,222 $1,222 $1,222 $3,271
TOTAL* $57,570 $55,929 $52,794 $54,202

*Totals of First, Second, and Third Year were calculated using Room Off Campus and Independent Board items.
Cost of Attendance Master Science in Public Health

TUITION, FEES, AND OTHER CHARGES 2022-2023

TUITION

Admission – Master Science in Public Health

$ 31.00 with application

Regular Optometry Students

First Year

Second Year

Third Year  

Fourth Year                  

 

$29,000.00 annual (two semesters & June)

$29,000.00 annual (two semesters)

$28,500.00 annual (two semesters & July)

$27,750.00 annual (two semesters)

Summer & Special Students

$1,500.00 per credit hour

Graduate-Master Science in Public Health

$227.00 per credit hour

Auditing Without Credit

50% of the regular per credit cost of special students

FEES

General Fees

$60.00 per semester

$40.00 per trimester

$50.00 per summer session

Students and Cultural Activities Fees/
Student Council

$62.00 per semester

$44.00 per trimester

Center for Access to Information Fee

$40.00 per semester

$27.00 per trimester

$12.00 per summer session

Infrastructure Fee

$100.00 per semester

$67.00 per trimester

$55.00 per summer session

Construction, Improvements and
Maintenance Fee

$63.00 per semester

$44.00 per trimester

$31.00 per summer session

Goods and Services Fees

$55.00 per semester

$37.00 per trimester

$28.00 per summer session

Laboratory Fees

$38.00 per course requiring it

Clinic Fees (per course requiring it)

$38.00 1st and 2nd year

$200.00 3rd and 4th year

OTHER FEES

Late registration

$50.00 at the moment of registration

Withdrawal or Changes in courses

$6.00 upon withdrawal or change (during reimbursement period only)

Deferred Payment Arrangement

$6.00 upon arrangement

Late payment on Deferred Payment (when lateness occurs)

$25.00 for each installment

Charge made by IUPR or the company contracted by the
University for processing payments by checks received from
students

$26.00 per returned check

Incomplete Removal and related academic works

$19.00 upon application, per course

Transcripts

$6.00 per transcript

Graduation- Doctor of Optometry

Graduation- Master Science in Public Health

$200.00 with application

$100.00 with application

Late final examination

$19.00 per examination

Identification Card Replacement

$7.00 with application

Academic Evaluation Fee

$10.00 with application

Vehicles Access & Parking Fee

$30.00 per semester

Certifications of Studies

$2.00 for each application

Course additions or changes of one course by another

$6.00 upon change

HOUSING

Room contracts are signed for a period of five months, at a monthly rate of $650.00

Total Cost per bedroom

    $3,250.00 per semester

    $650.00 per summer session

Admission Fee for Housing

   $25.00 with the application

Refunds: If for some reason the student leaves the Residence Hall before the end of the signed contract, both the current and the following month will not be refunded.

Changes in Tuition and Fees

The University reserves the right to review the charges whenever:

  • There is an increase in educational and general expenses and/or mandatory transfers,
  • Budget projections indicate a possible increase in these costs, and/or
  • After careful analysis of any particular situation, the University administration determines that such changes are reasonable and justified.

Official Costs Bulletin

Exit Counseling is mandatory for any student borrower who drop below half-time enrollment, graduate, or leaves school.

Exit Counseling 

Please select the following link to complete the Request for Professional Judgment https://www.inter.edu/uploaddocjuicioprofesional/

If you need the form in English, contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@opto.inter.edu

Raquel Rojas, Registration Services Officer
787-765-1915 ext. 1021
rrojas@opto.inter.edu
financialaid@opto.inter.edu
Sirimarie Martinez Director of Student Services (Admissions and Financial Aid)
787-765-1915 ext. 1020
smartinez@opto.inter.edu

NSLDS Disclosure Students and parents who enter into a loan agreement with Federal Direct Loans will have their loan information submitted to NSLDS (the National Student Loans Data System) which is accessible by authorized agencies, lenders, and institutions.