Graduate Admission and Financial Aid FAQ

Maxwell offers leading professional programs in the public and international affairs fields, including the #1-ranked M.P.A., M.A. in international relations, M.A. in public diplomacy and global communications, master of public health (MPH), and M.S. in sustainable organizations and policy.

We also offer an executive M.A. in international relations, executive M.P.A. (fully online and on campus), and graduate certificates in addiction studies, conflict and collaboration, data analytics for public policy, geographic information systems and spatial analysis (GIS), and public leadership and management (for midcareer candidates).

As of August 2026, Maxwell offers the executive M.P.A. as well as the CAS in conflict and collaboration and the CAS in public leadership and management entirely online. Online courses can be taken as part of many programs, and additional fully online programs are currently being explored.

Contact Nell Bartkowiak, assistant dean for online programs, at nsbartko@syr.edu for more.

Syracuse offers an ideal environment for focused graduate study with a significantly lower cost of living than Washington, D.C., Boston, or New York City, allowing you to minimize debt and financial stress while dedicating your energy to coursework and career preparation.

The city provides a supportive academic community without big-city distractions, yet remains strategically connected—just 4-6 hours from New York, D.C., Boston and Toronto—so students can access internships, conferences and professional opportunities in major policy centers while maintaining Syracuse as an affordable home base.

As a university city, Syracuse offers cultural events, diverse dining, recreational activities and local internship opportunities with government agencies, nonprofits and organizations where you can gain practical experience. Many Maxwell graduates find that studying in Syracuse allows them to complete their degree with less debt and stronger preparation, then leverage Maxwell's #1-ranked reputation and alumni network to launch careers in major policy centers worldwide.

Maxwell's M.A. in international relations combines academic excellence with practical career preparation at exceptional value. As part of the nation's #1-ranked school of public affairs, Maxwell's M.A. (IR) benefits from sustained reputation and recognition among employers in government, international organizations and the nonprofit sector.

The program offers flexibility to specialize in regional expertise (Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Africa, Europe) or functional areas (security studies, international development, conflict resolution, global governance) while maintaining rigorous analytical training.

Maxwell's faculty are leading scholars and practitioners with experience working in the State Department, UN agencies, the intelligence community and international organizations, and who provide personalized mentorship in smaller cohort settings than many competitor programs.

Students can take courses across Maxwell's other graduate programs—public administration, public diplomacy, public health, and sustainable policy—building interdisciplinary skills that employers value. The program delivers elite education at a more accessible price point than peer institutions with competitive scholarships that make top-tier training financially manageable.

Maxwell's deep alumni network across government, multilateral institutions, think tanks and NGOs actively supports graduates throughout their careers, and the Maxwell brand opens doors in Washington, New York and internationally.

Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills through policy simulations, research projects and applied analysis while benefiting from Syracuse's affordable cost of living and strategic access to major policy centers for internships and professional opportunities.

Maxwell's M.P.A. is the flagship program of the nation's #1-ranked school of public affairs, offering unparalleled preparation for leadership in government, nonprofit management and public service.

The program combines rigorous training in policy analysis, public finance, organizational management and quantitative methods with practical skills employers demand—program evaluation, budgeting, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making.

Maxwell's faculty include leading scholars and practitioners with experience in federal, state, and local government, nonprofit leadership, and public sector consulting who provide personalized mentorship and real-world insights.

The M.P.A.'s interdisciplinary approach allows students to take courses across Maxwell's other programs—international relations, public health, public diplomacy, and sustainable organizations—building breadth that sets you apart in competitive job markets.

Maxwell delivers elite graduate education at significantly better value than peer programs, with competitive merit scholarships making top-tier training financially accessible.

The extensive Maxwell alumni network spans all levels of government, leading nonprofits, international organizations, and private consulting firms, actively supporting graduates through mentorship, referrals, and career advancement throughout their professional lives.

Students gain hands-on experience through capstone projects, internships, and applied research while benefiting from Syracuse's affordable cost of living and strategic access to government agencies and organizations in Albany, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

Maxwell M.P.A. graduates are recruited by federal agencies, state and local governments, major nonprofits, healthcare systems, consulting firms, and international organizations, with the Maxwell name opening doors and commanding respect across the public affairs landscape.

Maxwell's traditional M.P.A. is a 40-credit program designed for students at various career stages, including recent graduates, while the executive M.P.A. is a 30-credit program designed specifically for midcareer professionals with at least 5-7 years of professional experience.

The reduced credit requirement in the E.M.P.A. recognizes the substantial professional expertise students already bring, and the curriculum emphasizes immediate application to complex organizational challenges with peer learning among experienced professionals from diverse sectors.

The traditional M.P.A. follows a standard campus-based schedule with full-time and part-time options and provides comprehensive foundational training, while the executive M.P.A. is offered in both online and on-campus formats for maximum flexibility for working professionals.

Both programs benefit from Maxwell's #1 ranking and extensive alumni network, but the executive M.P.A. is specifically structured for professionals who want to balance demanding careers with graduate education and accelerate their path to top-tier leadership opportunities.

Application deadline information can be found on our graduate admission page. Any student seeking scholarship consideration as well as all international students are strongly encouraged to apply before the priority deadlines. However, please note that many of our programs will accept applications after the priority deadlines on a rolling, space-available basis.

Email MaxEnroll@syr.edu if you have questions about applying.

In addition to completing the online application, you must also submit the nonrefundable application fee, a personal statement/essay, two letters of recommendation, transcripts (which can be unofficial at the time of application), and a resume or CV.

The GRE requirement is determined by each academic department. The GRE is not required for any of our professional or executive master’s programs; however, applicants to the M.P.A. and MPH lacking substantive undergraduate-level quantitative coursework, such as economics, statistics or college-level math with grades of B or better are encouraged to submit GRE scores.

Yes, you can apply! Syracuse University is authorized by the United States government to issue relevant immigration documents for eligible admitted students.

The application fee is $75 and it is nonrefundable; you will pay the fee online after you formally submit the application.

Syracuse University graduate tuition is charged by the credit hour. The 2026-27 graduate tuition rate is $2,086 USD per credit. The total tuition charged for a degree program is based on the degree requirements, although many applicants receive a partial tuition scholarship which reduces this amount. 

View details about additional fees and expenses.

The programs below require a non-refundable enrollment deposit, due by the deadline listed in your admission letter. The deposit is $500 and is credited toward your first tuition payment.  

• E.M.P.A. Online
• M.A. International Relations
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Public Health
• M.S. Sustainable Organizations and Policy
• M.A. Public Diplomacy and Global Communications

Yes, for information on how the payment plan works, visit the Payment Plan page or contact the Bursar’s Office by phone at 315.443.2444 or via email at bursar@syr.edu.

Students can activate their NetID by visiting the ITS Selfserv page. You will need your SUID number, which was included in the email you received congratulating you on your admission to the program; your SUID number is also listed at the top of your applicant status portal.

For more information on how to access your SUMail, visit the SUMail Answers page here.

The Syracuse student portal is called MySlice. Your MySlice account includes access to academic records, billing, financial aid, direct deposit set up and more. You will need your Syracuse ID and password to log into MySlice. Please note that MySlice is separate from the applicant status portal used during the admission process.

Yes. Students seeking partial scholarship support should indicate so via the relevant question on the application for admission. Scholarships are based on the overall application for admission, including prior academic performance, work/volunteer/internship experiences, recommendations and the personal statement.

It is important to note that the executive master’s programs are already discounted by the 10-credit degree requirement reduction (30 credits for the E.M.P.A. and E.M.I.R. versus 40 for the M.P.A. or M.A. (IR)) in acknowledgment of students’ prior work experience and expertise. The Maxwell School does not provide full funding for our master’s degree programs.

Students who apply by the priority deadline are most likely to be awarded merit-based scholarship support from the Maxwell School. Need-based financial aid is also available for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents via the FAFSA.

Yes, students must complete the Syracuse University Graduate Financial Aid Application, which is in addition to the FAFSA if you are a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (see separate section for FAFSA details). If you are applying for financial aid for a summer session, you must additionally complete the Syracuse University Summer Graduate Financial Aid Application.

Both applications can be found by clicking on “My To Do List” under the Financial Aid section within Syracuse University’s self-service portal, MySlice. Just like the FAFSA, these supplemental aid forms must be completed for each school year you would like to receive federal financial aid.

No. While we do our best to provide funding to as many students as possible to make their graduate study possible, we do not have the resources available to offer any scholarships that cover the full tuition and/or fees.

It is important to assess all factors when making your decision regarding graduate studies, however, differences in the per-credit tuition, program length and cost of living can often make a significant difference in your overall cost of attendance.

Yes. International students are eligible for the same scholarship consideration as U.S. students, unless otherwise noted. It is important that international students apply by the priority deadlines.

Once you have been admitted, log into your MySlice account and select “My To Do List” to view your Financial Aid tasks. Three different ‘Status’ descriptions may be listed. They are:

• Initiated: Item is outstanding and needs your immediate attention.
• Partial: We have received your document(s); however, items are still required. You have been sent a request for additional information.
• Received: Required documentation has been received and will soon be reviewed for completeness by our office.

If you have filed your FAFSA, these “To Do List” items will disappear from your list after the Financial Aid Office receives your supplemental application(s). It may take up to ten days from the time you file these applications until the Financial Aid Office receives and removes the item from your “To Do List.”

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application the U.S.  Department of Education uses to determine if you are eligible to receive federal student aid.

The Syracuse FAFSA school code is 002882.

It is strongly recommended that U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents include their SSN on their application. This will allow the FAFSA information to link to the student.

No. If you are applying for graduate school, you are considered an independent student and do not need to include your parents’ information to complete the FAFSA, regardless of your age.

The FAFSA is typically available each year on Oct. 1, for the upcoming academic year. New students planning to use U.S. federal student aid should complete a FAFSA while applying for admission. Continuing students will need to submit a FAFSA each year they plan to receive federal student aid.

Refernce the chart below to determine which FAFSA to complete based on your desired start date.

Yes. Because eligibility for federal student aid does not carry over from one award year to the next, you will need to complete the FAFSA for each award year for which you are or plan to be a student.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a U.S. federal loan offered to students to help with the cost of education. The Federal Unsubsidized Loan is not based on income or financial need.

Learn more about federal student aid eligibility criteria on the Federal Student Aid website.

The aggregate loan limit is the total amount that you may borrow in federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate study. In addition to borrowing limitations based on the cost of attendance for the program, students are also limited in terms of lifetime borrowing. The maximum aggregate loan limit changed with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.  

If the total loan amount you receive over the course of your education reaches the aggregate loan limit, you are not eligible to receive additional loans. However, if you repay some of your loans to bring your outstanding loan debt below the aggregate loan limit, you can then borrow again, up to the amount of your remaining eligibility under the aggregate loan limit. You can learn more about graduate annual loan limits on the Federal Student Aid website.

Log in on the Federal Student Aid homepage to view your federal student loan borrowing history and loan servicer details. Please note that private education loans are not listed on this site. Students in default are not eligible for additional federal loans. Contact your lender for default resolution options.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are available to undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest on subsidized loans while students are enrolled in their undergraduate program. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to undergraduate and graduate students and does not require demonstration of financial need.

The Federal Unsubsidized Loan begins accruing interest as soon as funds are disbursed. Learn more about the difference between unsubsidized and subsidized loans on the Federal Student Aid website.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs administers a variety of education benefits, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program.

Only the VA can determine if you are eligible for education benefits. To determine your eligibility through the VA, you will need to complete an application through the VA website.

You may be eligible for a variety of education benefits that the VA offers. You can apply for these benefits through the VA to fully determine your eligibility.

Step 1: If you are using VA education benefits for the first time, please complete the education benefits application through the VA.

Step 2: Once your application has been processed, you will receive a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA. Please forward a copy of your VA COE to the Office of Veteran Success at veterans@syr.edu.

Step 3: After you register for classes, complete Syracuse University’s Request for Certification (RFC) for that session. This form is available in Syracuse University’s self-service portal, MySlice.

NOTE: The RFC must be submitted for each term you wish to use your VA education benefits. Once you register for the upcoming term, you can then go onto your MySlice account and fill out the RFC form for that term.

Please contact the Office of Veteran Success at veterans@syr.edu or 315.443.0358 to discuss your specific benefits and to determine if there are any out-of-pocket costs associated with your program.