Need-Based Aid
Administered by Syracuse University's Office of Financial Aid. Please visit their website for guidance on loan assistance and external funding opportunities.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
External Funding Opportunities
Merit-Based Awards
Priority Application Deadline: January 15
Students applying on or before the deadline and indicating an interest in financial support will receive priority consideration for funding. Students applying after the priority deadline will be considered on a resource-available basis.
Any scholarship offer will be communicated along with the offer of admission, except for the graduate fellowship programs that require a separate application and review process.
Department financial assistance includes:
- Graduate tuition scholarships, including the Forever Orange scholarship and partner program awards (see below), are the most common type of funding and cover a percentage of tuition charges. Award percentages vary based on the overall application for admission and all application materials received at the time of admission.
- Graduate fellowships
- Part-time, hourly employment positions
Graduate Fellowships
Additional application materials may be required. Please see below for instructions.
Robertson Foundation for Government Fellowship
One of the most generous and prestigious scholarship opportunities for graduate study at the Maxwell School, the Robertson Fellowship covers full tuition for the two-year M.P.A./M.A. international relations dual degree program.
Successful applicants receive full tuition, a living stipend of $20,000 per year, health insurance and summer internship assistance. In turn, Robertson Fellows are required to work for the U.S. federal government for 3 of the first 7 years after graduation. Fellows must have proficiency in a foreign language upon graduation.
To apply, be sure to indicate your interest in financial support on the online application for the dual M.P.A./M.A.(IR) program and then you will be presented a question about the Robertson Fellowship, which will require you to provide a 250- to 500-word statement outlining your journey towards a career in public service within the U.S. federal government.John and Mabel deSardon and Joan deSardon-Glass Fellowships
Each year, this endowed fund provides full tuition plus a stipend to up to three students who are nationals of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela or any other South American/Andean countries and who intend to return to their home countries to work in the public or nonprofit sector.
These funds are available to students in most graduate programs on campus (not available online), including executive graduate professional programs. Only one graduate degree will be supported per student; therefore, dual degree applicants are not eligible.
Admitted students who meet the criteria and apply by the January 15 deadline will be considered. No separate application is necessary.
Partner Program Scholarships
Additional application materials may be required. Please follow the instructions below for application.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Program
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications applicants who were selected as Truman Scholars
Award: minimum 50% tuition scholarship to admitted students
Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications applicants who have successfully completed a PPIA Junior Summer Institute program
Award: minimum 50% tuition scholarship to admitted students
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV)
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications applicants who are returned Peace Corps volunteers
Award: minimum 50% tuition scholarship to admitted students
U.S. Fulbright Scholars
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications applicants who are current/former U.S. Fulbright Scholar grant recipients
Award: minimum 50% tuition scholarship to admitted students
Charles B. Rangel and Thomas R. Pickering International Affairs Programs
Eligibility:
- Rangel and Pickering Fellows must enroll in the 2-year M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree program
- Finalists can choose the M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, or M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications
Award: minimum 60% tuition scholarship to admitted students
Teach For America / Teach for All Partnerships (TFA/TFAll)
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications applicants who are Teach for America / Teach For All program alumni or accepted program participants
Award: minimum 30% tuition scholarship to admitted students; two-year deferral for any admitted TFA/TFAll program participant so that they can complete the program before attending Maxwell
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF)
Eligibility: Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who have completed internships/fellowships via CBCF
Award: minimum 30% tuition scholarship to admitted students
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
Eligibility: Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who have completed internships/fellowships via CHCI
Award: minimum 30% tuition scholarship to admitted students
Japan Exchange Teaching Programme Alumni Association (JETTA)
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications applicants who are JETTA alumni
Award: minimum 30% tuition scholarship to admitted students
U.S. Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Syracuse University’s longstanding commitment to veteran and military-connected students is fully supported by the Maxwell School. Please visit Syracuse University's Veteran and Military Affairs website for information on utilizing your GI Bill benefits, the Yellow Ribbon program, ROTC, and more. Veterans and active military with less than full education benefits are eligible for tuition scholarships from the Maxwell School.
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships
Syracuse University is one of only nine universities in the United States to offer the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships, funded by the U.S. Department of Education for study in South Asia.
This award, which ranges from $2,500 to $18,000, assists students in acquiring a high level of competence in one or more modern languages spoken in South Asia and of the areas, regions or countries where that language is commonly used. Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a relevant Syracuse University program are invited to apply through the South Asia Center at the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs.
Awards for Global Internships and Opportunities Abroad
The Maxwell School has funds available to support M.A. in international relations, M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications and M.A. in international relations dual degree students participating in off-campus opportunities through established global partnerships or independent opportunities. Meritorious students with financial need and a commitment to participate in off-campus opportunities are eligible to apply for an award each semester. M.A. in international relations and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications graduate students will receive the award application via their syr.edu email address.