Funding Opportunities
General Funding Information
You can finance your education through scholarships, assistantships, fellowships and/or loans. There are both internal and external sources of funding available. The Graduate School offers the Graduate Scholars Award, program scholarships and grants, a number of fellowships, and assistantships.
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Scholarships are grants or payments awarded on the basis of academic or other achievements. Here is list of current scholarships available for graduate students.
- Assistantships are a form of financial aid through which graduate students are paid for the work they perform. They are often related to students' studies or areas of specialization. Typically, assistantships fall into one of the following categories: graduate, research, teaching.
- A fellowship is a form of financial aid comparable to a college scholarship. It can cover part or all of your tuition and usually includes a stipend to cover living support.
- A grant is awarded by an institution or organization, often to pursue a particular research project or to attain specific professional goals.
- Loans: Federally subsidized loans are also available for our graduate students. To qualify, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.
MPA Program-Specific Funding
Graduate Assistantships
The MPA program offers five graduate assistantships on a competitive basis for full-time students. Students receiving assistantships must enroll in nine hours of coursework per semester and work 20 hours a week on research and other program-related projects.
- Four MPA students are annually selected to serve as graduate assistants for the Community Assistance Program (CAP). CAP is housed within the MPA office and provides research and capacity building services to nonprofit and governmental organizations.
- One MPA student is selected annually to serve under the direction of the MPA Program Director, providing programmatic support and research assistance.
Each assistantship provides an annual stipend of $12,400, as well as eligibility for a tuition abatement to cover differences between in-state and out-of-state tuition for out-of-state students who have been selected for an assistantship.
Graduate Assistant Applications and resumes should be submitted to MPA Program Coordinator.
Conferences, Research, & Student Travel
The MPA Program & The Graduate School Office strive to provide students with the support they need to attend in-state and out-of-state conferenced and present research. Competitive funding opportunities are typically available via the Graduate Student Association (GSA) and the MPA Student Assocation (MPASA). If you are interested in attending a conference or presenting research, please contact the MPA office (843.953.6690).