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
Application Deadline: February 1
Any student that applies on or before the deadline and indicates an interest in merit-based aid on their application for admission will be considered.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the general timeline for the financial award process is as follows:
- February 1: Priority application deadline for the M.A. in international relations
- March: Admitted students are reviewed for financial aid awards
- By April 1: All admitted students are notified by email about status of awards
- April 15: Deadline for admitted students to accept or withdraw financial aid awards
Maxwell will allow students to apply after the deadline; and graduate awards continue to be made until all resources have been committed or we have reached our enrollment capacity. In the case that funds become available, application for these awards will be announced.
Department financial assistance includes:
- Graduate fellowships (by application)
- Graduate assistantships
- Partner program scholarships
- Part-time employment
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 two-year dual degree master's programs that prepare students for work in the federal government: public administration/international affairs; public administration/economics or international affairs/economics.
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, submit a 250 word statement outlining how your career and academic goals align with the Robertson Fellowship appended to your personal statement in the online application.
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 February 1 deadline will be considered. No separate application is necessary.
Graduate Assistantships
Many students in the program fund their studies through hourly graduate assistantships. Awards include tuition and a stipend, the amount of which depends on the hourly commitment required for the assistantship—usually 10 or 20 hours per week in addition to coursework.
Most applicants are notified of their eligibility for a graduate assistantship upon acceptance to the program. If additional funds become available, these assistantships will be announced.
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, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who were selected as Truman Scholars
Award: at least 50% tuition scholarship with admission and consideration for all other forms of merit-based funding
Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who have successfully completed a PPIA Junior Summer Institute program
Award: at least 50% tuition scholarship with admission and consideration for all other forms of merit-based funding; plus an application fee waiver
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) Graduate Award
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who are designated RPCVs
Award: at least 50% tuition scholarship with admission and consideration for all other forms of merit-based funding; plus application fee waiver
U.S. Fulbright Scholars Graduate Award
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who successfully completed a Fulbright Scholarship program outside of the U.S. or who were evacuated before the completion of their program due to COVID-19
Award: 50% tuition scholarship with admission and consideration for all other merit-based awards; plus application fee waiver
Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program
Eligible Degrees:
- Fellows must enroll in the residential Master of Public Administration and M.A. in International Relations dual degree program (58 credits, 24 months).
- Enrollment in a two-year academic program is a requirement in order to complete the fellowship requirements.
- Finalists can do the dual degree or choose any of the following single degree program options and still retain the 60% Maxwell scholarship:
- M.A. in International Relations (40 credits, 16 months).
- M.A. in Public Diplomacy and Global Communications (43 credits, 18 months).
- Master of Public Administration (40 credits, 12- or 18-months)
Thomas R. Pickering International Affairs Program
Eligible Degrees:
- Fellows must enroll in the residential Master of Public Administration and M.A. in International Relations dual degree program (58 credits, 24 months).
- Enrollment in a two-year academic program is a requirement in order to complete the fellowship requirements.
- Finalists can do the dual degree or choose any of the following single degree program options and still retain the 60% Maxwell scholarship:
- M.A. in International Relations (40 credits, 16 months).
- M.A. in Public Diplomacy and Global Communications (43 credits, 18 months).
- Master of Public Administration (40 credits, 12- or 18-months)
Teach For America / Teach for All Partnerships (TFA/TFAll)
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who are Teach for America / Teach For All program alumni, or accepted candidates for the TFA/TFAll programs
Award: 30% tuition scholarship with admission and consideration for all other forms of merit-based funding; application fee waiver; two-year deferral for any admitted TFA/TFAll program candidate so that they might participate in the program before attending Maxwell
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: CBCF – Maxwell Graduate Award
Eligibility: M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree programs, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who have completed internships/fellowships via CBCF. A letter of support attesting to the successful completion of the CBCF internship will be required for the official administration of this award.
Award: at least 30% of tuition for single or dual degree, as well as consideration for further merit-based cash scholarships
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: CHCI – Maxwell Graduate Award
Eligibility: M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international relations dual degree programs, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who have completed internships/fellowships via CHCI. A letter of support attesting to the successful completion of the CHCI internship will be required for the official administration of this award.
Award: at least 30% of tuition for single or dual degree, and as well as consideration for further merit-based cash scholarships
Japan Exchange Teaching Programme Alumni Association (JETTA) Partnership
Eligibility: M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who are USJETTA alumni
Award: at least 30% tuition scholarship with admission and consideration for all other forms of merit-based funding
USAID's Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program
This initiative is designed to promote excellence and diversity in the
USAID Foreign Service. The USAID Donald M. Payne International
Development Graduate Fellowship seeks outstanding young people
interested in careers in international development as USAID Foreign
Service Officers. The Payne Fellowship Program provides benefits valued
at up to $90,000 over two years to fund a two-year master's degree,
arranges internships on Capitol Hill and at USAID missions overseas, and
provides professional development and support activities. Fellows who
successfully complete the program become USAID Foreign Service Officers.
The program is funded by USAID and managed by Howard University.
McNair Graduate Fellowships
Syracuse University is a
participating institution in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.
Once admitted to a program, departments will internally
nominate all scholars for the graduate fellowship. Announcements of
these awards will be made by the McNair Fellowship selection committee
in mid-spring. To be competitive for these limited graduate fellowships,
McNair Scholars should be careful to include a letter of recommendation
from their primary mentor with their application.
Application Fee Waivers: The
application fee is automatically waived for all McNair Scholars who note their status on their application.
US Army ROTC Opportunities
Graduate students admitted to the Public Administration and International Affairs Department and who are planning on being at Syracuse University for two years may be eligible for participation in the Army ROTC program for graduate students. While this program offers much more than funding, participation may have financial benefits. Please visit Syracuse University's ROTC website for more information.
GI Bill-Yellow Ribbon Program Education Benefits
As a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, you have earned educational benefits. We are pleased that you are considering our programs and Syracuse University as you plan your future. Please visit Syracuse University's Veteran and Military Affairs website for more information.
Active duty U.S. military and veterans do not have to pay an application fee. The application fee is automatically waived at time of application. A fee waiver code is not required.

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.