Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees for 2009-2010
Tuition (per credit hour): $1,237
Admissions (application fee): $55
Other fees may apply. To find out about other fees, you may request a Schedule of Classes through the Office of the Registrar.
Financial Aid
There are several financial aid opportunities for most students, including:
- Merit Awards
- Outside sources for financial aid
- Stafford Loans (.pdf)
- Applying for Financial Aid (.pdf)
School of Public Affairs Financial Aid Resources
NEED HELP financing your graduate education? We can help! The university has established the following awards to assist full-time masters and doctoral degree students. These are merit-based awards. Merit-based graduate awards are American University resources that are awarded to students by their respective departments using traditional merit indicators such as GPA, test scores, strength of recommendation letters, and experience. Awards can be renewed based on satisfactory progress in your degree program and availability of funds. These awards include:
- Assistantships------$7,000 - $9000 stipend plus up to 18 credit hours of tuition remission.
- Graduate Study Grants----from 6 to 18 credit hours of tuition remission
- Special Opportunity Awards for American born Minority students---assistantships and graduate study grants as described above granted to minority students
- Hall of Nations Awards for International Students----from 6 to 18 credit hours of tuition remission only given to international students who do not have permanent resident status or U.S. citizenship
- Students receiving any of the above awards are also offered the option to work part-time in the unit to perform as Graduate Assistants for faculty. Students will work from 10 – 20 hours per week and are paid from $11 - $13 per hour.
- Dissertation Fellowships---$10,000 stipend and up to 6 credit hours of tuition in one year. For doctoral students who have completed all doctoral course work and comprehensive examinations and who have an approved dissertation proposal.
- Neil and Ann Kerwin Dissertation Fellowship – stipend of $15,000 for one year. The award seeks to support dissertation research that is deemed by SPA faculty and dean to be of the highest quality and likely to lead to publication in a major peer-reviewed journal.
- Massey Foundation Award----tuition assistance awards available only to Canadian citizens.
- United Methodist Graduate Scholarship---- from 8 to 12 hours of tuition assistance available only to members of the United Methodist Church. Click here for an application.
- Robert A. Repetto Scholarship-----A $3000 to $6000 scholarship for a graduate student in the Department of Government or Department of Public Administration.
- Susan Dweck Scholarship----up to $5000 awarded to a student enrolled in the MPA program in the Department of Public Administration.
- CCPS Benefactors Awards – up to $1000 each for Campaign Management Institute and Public Affairs & Advocacy Institute to young professionals interested in pursuing a career in lobbying and/or campaigning. For American born minority students. Application due April 25th and December 5th.
Eligibility for Awards checklist (Application deadline is February 1 for fall admission)
____ Admission to full-standing
____ A full-time masters or doctoral student
____ Submit GRE scores
____A cumulative GPA of 3.0
____ Request consideration for award on Graduate Admissions Application
____Questions: contact bmanley@american.edu or call, 202-885-6230
For Need-based Financial Assistance:
Please call the Financial Aid office to speak with a financial aid counselor, 202-885-6100 or visit AU Financial Aid.
The SPA designated financial aid counselor is Carmin Hall (202) 885-6018 hall@american.edu
Merit Awards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1). What is a merit award?
A merit award is a type of School sponsored financial aid. A merit award can take the form of an assistantship or graduate study grant (tuition remission only) and include a learning component or work commitment. A merit award is NOT a guaranteed student loan. Merit awards are based on an assessment of an applicant's credentials using traditional academic indicators (e.g. GPA; GRE scores; strength of recommendation letters, etc.). To be considered for a merit award, an applicant should submit a completed application by the stated "preferred application deadlines" (Feb. 1 for Fall admission; Nov. 1 for Spring admission), AND answer yes to the question, "Do you wish to be considered for merit aid" on the application. Only full time students are eligible to receive merit awards. Merit awards are offered only to "new" students and most awards are renewable for a second year of study pending successful completion of the first year (PhD merit awards are renewable for a third year of study). If a student does not enter SPA on a merit award, a merit award is generally not possible in later years.
2). What is the Part-time Employment component?
All Graduate Honor Awards recipients are given the option (and priority hiring) to work part-time in the units to perform assistantship work and support for faculty. That component enhances and complements a student's academic program, such as a teaching assistantship, a research assistantship, or a technical assistantship, which requires at least 10 but no more than 20 hours per week of supervised learning. The specific description of this learning component is determined by the teaching unit. Student assignments, for the learning component, are usually made a week before the opening of the semester. Students receiving merit awards may not work at American University more than 25 hours per week (20 hours for international students), including hours devoted to the assignment of the learning component and any paid employment, during the fall and spring semesters.
3) There is a stipend with my award, where do I pick up my check?
If you are receiving a stipend with your award, you will receive two payments each semester. Your first stipend check will be sent to your in-session address on September 30. The second payment will be sent on November 30. The spring payment dates are January 31 and March 31. Please make sure we have your correct in-session address. Changes to your address should be sent to your academic adviser.
4) Can I request to work with a particular faculty member for my assignment?
Yes. Although we cannot guarantee a particular assignment will be possible, the faculty member should send the request through the Chair of the department or to Brenda Manley, Director of Graduate Admissions.
5) When does the learning component begin and end each semester?
The learning component begins the first week of classes and ends on the last day of finals. You will be instructed to complete a time-sheet at the end of each pay period.
6) I have extra credits remaining on my merit award; can I register for additional courses?
The merit award will cover coursework required for your academic program only.
7) I only have four courses left to complete my degree next year; can I take two courses in the fall and two courses in the Spring?
The merit award requires that you are to be registered as a full time student. You will need to register for 3 courses (9 credits) in the fall and 1 in the spring.
8) I want to take a summer course. Will my award cover a summer course?
As long as you are full time during the regular academic year, you can take 3 - 9 credits of coursework over the summer. You would also be required to complete a learning component with your summer registration.
9) What do I do if I want to take a 1-credit or 4- credit institute course this semester?
The merit award requires that you are to be registered as a full time student (9 credits) each fall and spring. You are responsible to pay for any additional credits taken during the year. Check with the Institute Directors, on occasion they have tuition credits to award.
10) My merit award is for two years. Can I borrow credits from my second year and use them my first year?
Tuition credits cannot be carried across the fiscal year.
11) I am in my last semester and have an opportunity to take a full-time internship or job. I will not be able to meet the 10 or 20 hours service commitment requirement for the merit award. Can I remain on the merit award without the service commitment?
Yes you can remain on your merit award, the part-time employment is optional. You are required to give two weeks notice to your supervisor.
12) Can I work additional hours on campus outside of my merit award obligations?
If you are a US citizen or Permanent Resident and work part-time for the University you may not work more than a total of 25 hours per week including the time spent in the supervised learning component. International students are limited to work 20 hours per week including time spent in a supervised learning component. Award recipients may not accept an award and be full-time employees of American University.
13) Is the merit award taxable?
No portion of the merit award is taxable for domestic students. International students are required to pay taxes on the merit award. The part-time employment wages are taxable. You are required to complete an I-9 Immigration form and a W-4 form with the Human Resources office on campus.
14) I would like to take the comprehensive exam in the fall instead of the spring. Can I take 2 courses and the comprehensive exam and then do 3 courses in the spring?
The merit award requires that you are to be registered as a full time student. You will need to register for 3 courses (9 credits) in the fall.
15) Can I still apply for a guaranteed student loan if I am awarded a Graduate Study or Assistantship award?
Yes. Many students will apply for a student loan to supplement their award. Student loans are available by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov
16) Do I have to apply to renew my merit award?
Yes. Applications for renewal will be sent to you in February. This application must be returned the Financial Aid Manager in the Admissions Office, along with an AU transcript, a list of current coursework and a resume. Notification of your renewal will be sent to you in May, after grades for the semester are received.
Outside Sources of Financial Aid
StudentJobs.gov
http://www.studentjobs.gov/e-scholar.htm
Beinecke Brothers Scholarships
http://www.beineckescholarship.org
Carnegie Endowment Junior Fellowship
http://www.ceip.org/files/about/about_junior.asp
Fulbright Scholarship
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/fulbright/
Gates Scholarships
http://www.gatesscholar.org/
Goldwater Scholarships
http://www.act.org/goldwater
Javits Fellowships
http://www.ed.gov/programs/iegpsjavits/
James Madison Fellowships
http://www.jamesmadison.com
Mellon Fellowship
http://www.mellon.org/grant_programs/programs/higher-education-and-scholarship/mellon-mays-fellowship
Mitchell Scholarships
http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/
Rhodes Scholarships
http://www.rhodesscholar.org
Soros Fellowships for New Americans
http://www.pdsoros.org
Thurgood Marshal Scholarships
http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org/
Udall Scholarships
http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/MKUScholarship/MKUScholarship.aspx
All Students
http://www.fastweb.com
Hispanic
http://www.hsf.net
Hispanic
http://www.chci.org
Minority Students
http://www.sciencewise.com/
All Students
http://scholarships.salliemae.com
Students with disabilities
http://www.heath.gwu.edu
All Students
http://www.collegenet.com/mach25/
Ron Brown:
The award: leadership, community service, all fields. The deadline is unusually in January. This is one of the most prestigious scholarships and it's very competitive.
http://www.RonBrown.org
Jackie Robinson Foundation:
The award is $6,000 per year. Number of winners about 100. Its renewable. Academic merit, leadership, community service, all fields. Deadline is usually in April
http://www.JackieRobinson.org
United College Fund:
The UNCF is one of our major scholarship gateways. The awards are made of varying amounts, and there are a great many under different names and requirements (Grandmet, Duracell, for example). The deadline is usually December.
http://uncf.org/
Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarships:
This is a major competition with hundreds of over 250 awards going to "scholar," with academic leadership. And talent qualities. The award amount is from $4,000 to $20,000. You can apply on-line. The deadline is October 31.
http://www.coca-colascholars.org/
Alpha Kappa Alpha:
The link below is to the Chicago headquarters and that gateway of scholarships. Note that there are over 700 AKA Chapters, and you would be wise to contact sorors at local locations. Scholarship opportunities abound. The deadline at AKA headquarters is Feb 15. Applications must be sent between Dec. 1st and January 30th each year. Editor's note: all of our Greeks (listed in our Black Excel college guide) offer scholarships, and you should tap your local chapters.
http://www.akaeaf.org/
NCAA:
This is the major NCAA sports association student-athletes are associated with. Awards are given in sports categories, amounts from $3000 to $12,500. Awards are also available for sports related study (like sports journalism). Deadlines vary, as do the number of awards each year.
Link
National Alliance for Excellence:
The students can be seniors already in college. They must submit an application that can include recommendations (academic), art slides), dance (tapes), photographs, other materials that point to talent and achievement in all areas. Awards are for a minimum of one year, and over 100 are granted. Applications can be submitted at any time. The selection process is ongoing.
http://www.excellence.org
Harry S. Truman Scholarship:
This is one of the most prestigious scholarships, shaped for students who intend to pursue a career targeted to public service or government. Graduate study should be a goal, with a portion of the funds directed there. Must be at least a junior, and your college must nominate you. A "nomination" package must be created. The awards can reach as high as $30,000 over the years. Generally about 80 students are selected. Deadline is February 1st.
http://www.truman.gov
National Association of Hispanic Journalists:
Awards from $1000 - $5000 for Students interested in journalism as a career can apply. Deadline is Feb. 28. See website for application and information.
http://www.nahj.org/student.html
National Association of Black Journalists:
It's a $2,500. Students should be attending a four-year University. They must present three letters of recommendation from a school adviser, dean or a faculty member. Also, a 500-900 word article on Black Journalist must be presented. A grade point average of 3.0 is desirable. Eligible students must be majoring in journalism-print, photography, radio or television. One of those should be a career goal. Deadline is March 31.
http://www.nabj.org/programs/scholarships/
Hispanic College Fund:
Major site for Hispanic students majoring in business-related areas, A to Z (accounting, human resources, communications, and more. The award amount varies. Over 140 awards granted. Deadline April.
http://www.hispanicfund.org/
