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.P.A.
- 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 Ben Snow and Vernon Snow Fellowships in Nonprofit Management
The Snow Foundation provides each fellow a stipend of $15,000, disbursed in equal monthly installments of $1,250 over the duration of the M.P.A. program. Syracuse University matches this award with a 40 credit hour tuition scholarship. Additionally, Snow Fellows serve up to 16 hours per week at a local foundation (CNY Community Foundation) during the academic year.
To apply, include a letter summarizing your background and interests in nonprofit management and stating your commitment to enter this field upon graduation along with your online application.
Graduate Assistantships
John L. and Stephanie G. Palmer Fellowships in Social Policy
Each year two M.P.A. students will be named Palmer Fellows in Social Policy. Honoring the exceptional public service career of University Professor and Dean Emeritus of the Maxwell School, John L. Palmer, these fellowships support students with a demonstrated interest in federal social welfare policy or fiscal and budgetary policy. Students with exceptional academic records, prior work/internship experience related to social or fiscal policy, and federal service career goals aligned with the fellowship are invited to apply.
Each Palmer Fellowship is provided in two parts: a full time graduate assistantship and an additional cash stipend of $17,500 to be used toward additional tuition and living expenses.
To apply, please indicate your interest in the Palmer Fellowship on your online application (under financial aid consideration) or in your personal statement.
Ajello Graduate Fellowship in Energy and Environmental Policy
Each year up to two M.P.A. students will be selected as Ajello Fellow(s) in Energy and Environmental Policy. Ajello Fellows will be chosen based upon their demonstrated interest in energy and environmental policy, and exceptional academic preparation. Each fellow will have the opportunity to engage in research projects under the direction of Professor Peter Wilcoxen, the Ajello Professor in Energy and Environmental Policy. The Ajello Fellowship will be provided in two parts: a full time graduate assistantship and an additional cash stipend of $12,000 to be used toward additional tuition and living expenses.
To apply, please indicate your interest in the Ajello Graduate Fellowship on your application (under financial aid consideration) or in your personal statement, as you outline your interests and career goals as they relate to energy and environmental policy.
Other Graduate Assistantships
Most applicants are notified of their eligibility for a graduate assistantship upon acceptance. Awards include tuition and a stipend, the amount of which depends on the hourly commitment required for the assistantship. Most assistantships are 10 or 20 hours per week in addition to coursework.
In case additional funds become available, these assistantships will be announced.
Partner Program Scholarships
Additional application materials may be required. Please follow the links for complete instructions.
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 and Thomas R. Pickering International Affairs Programs
Eligibility: M.A. in international relations, M.P.A./M.A. in international dual degree programs, and M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications students who are selected as Rangel or Pickering finalists and fellows
Award for Fellows: will more than fully fund tuition for the above degree programs
Award for Finalists: provides for more than 60% of tuition for the above degree programs
Application fees waivers are provided for all fellows and finalists.
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.