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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)


The FAFSA allows graduate and professional students to be considered for need-based federal student loans and private educational loans. You should file the FAFSA as early as possible during the application process. Once filed, the Syracuse University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs will contact you about loan approvals and procedures.

External Funding Opportunities


Searching for scholarships from outside sources? The Office of Financial Aid maintains an extensive list of external scholarship opportunities, organized by academic focus or eligibility criteria. Please note that federal regulations require the University to take into account all aid resources when determining your eligibility for financial aid. Therefore, you must report all scholarships and grants that you receive from sources other than Syracuse University.

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.

    Students smiling in a classroom

    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.

    Public Administration and International Affairs Department
    215 Eggers Hall