Financial Aid

Financial Aid - Internal Funding Opportunities

The Maryland School of Public Policy (MSPP) affords several opportunities for meritorious students to support graduate study.  All domestic and international students can be considered for merit-based aid.  Consideration for these awards can be requested on the admissions application form.  Criteria for consideration are the same as for admission to the program.  Merit awards offered to admitted students range from modest grants, partial or full assistantships, to full fellowships.  More details about these awards are available below.  Please note that need-based aid is not provided by MSPP, but can be applied for through the University of Maryland's Office of Financial Aid (http://www.financialaid.umd.edu/) for U.S. Citizens or those eligible for federal aid.  The Office of Financial Aid also provides links to resources for international students seeking alternative sources of financial support. 

Graduate awards such as assistantships and scholarships are highly competitive, and it is in the student's best interest to strive for other types of awards to fund graduate study. MSPP staff can help students in their pursuit of some fellowships, and information is available through links below in "External Funding Opportunities".  U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents who are not yet matriculated in our programs, or not yet admitted, would do well to fill out the FAFSA form at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ for need-based financial aid. (The University of Maryland code for this form is 002103).

Merit-Based Awards Offered by MSPP:

(1)  Assistantships - MSPP awards full and partial assistantships to meritorious students.  Graduate Assistants typically assist a professor with research or teaching or work in an administrative capacity in one of our offices or research centers.  A typical assistantship covers some tuition expenses for the first academic year and provides a partial stipend to offset living expenses.  Additionally, graduate assistants are charged tuition at the in-state rate and have the option to participate in a subsidized health insurance program and other benefits. (Available to U.S. and international students.)

(2)  Internship Funding  - additional grants and scholarships are available to support MSPP students' experienced-based learning in non-profit, community-based, and governmental organizations.  Students enrolled full-time at the Maryland School of Public Policy may spend up to one academic semester working part-time, or one summer working full-time, on projects that allow them to apply the analytical skills they gain in class to challenges faced by non-profit, governmental, and community-based organizations.  Students are paid by MSPP through funds set up by The William Donald Schaefer Internship Program and donor funding. These opportunities are available to U.S. and international students.  See the following link for more information on internship funding: http://www.publicpolicy.umd.edu/current/career/Schaefer.

Maryland School of Public Policy Awards

(3)  The Robertson Foundation For Government - Robertson Fellows Program 
In partnership with the Robertson Foundation For Government (RFFG), MSPP will name four Robertson Fellows annually.  These incoming students must be enrolled in the two year MPP program and have a commitment to a career in the Federal Government in foreign policy, national security and/or international affairs.  Robertson Fellows will also participate in a Robertson Internship in their second year of study (summer, fall or both).  Fellows will receive full tuition, cost of living stipend and summer internship assistance.  Applicants must submit an additional one-page (approximately 250 words) statement outlining their academic and career goals and how these are aligned with the mission of the RFFG.   Selected fellows are required to work for the federal government for three of their initial five years after graduation and must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at time of graduation.  Deadline for consideration is February 10.

http://rffg.org/index.html

(4) Peace Corps Fellows/USA Program 

We are proud to participate in the Peace Corps Fellows/USA program. Established in 1985, Peace Corps/Fellows USA is a partnership between the Peace Corps and selected graduate schools across the country.Volunteers who satisfactorily completed Peace Corps service have lifetime eligibility for Fellows/USA.We recognize the unique experience RPCVs bring into the classroom setting, which can enhance the quality of discussions and academic performance throughout our student body. Fellows/USA is reserved exclusively for RPCVs. If accepted into our school's Fellows/USA program, you may be offered a merit based award reserved for RPCVs as you work toward your graduate degree.

5 RPCVs applicants will be offered Peace Corps Fellows that provide a half graduate assistantship carrying a yearly stipend of $6,350 and 5 credits of tuition remission per semester. Any credits beyond the 5 are charged at the in-state tuition rate. Fellows may also be eligible for other merit-based assistantships

www.peacecorps.gov/fellows