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
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 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, be sure to indicate your interest in financial support on the online application for the M.P.A. program and then you will be presented a question about the Snow Fellowship, which will require you to provide a 250- to 500-word statement summarizing your background and interests in nonprofit management and stating your commitment to enter this field upon graduation.
John L. and Stephanie G. Palmer Fellowships in Social Policy
Palmer Fellows will be selected from applicants with exceptional academic preparation whose personal statement and/or resume demonstrates their interest in federal social welfare policy or fiscal and budgetary policy.
Ajello Graduate Fellowship in Energy and Environmental Policy
Ajello Fellows will be selected from applicants with exceptional academic preparation whose personal statement and resume demonstrates their interest in energy and environmental policy.
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, 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.