Program Cost, Financial Aid and Scholarships

Tuition and Cost

SSP Merit Based Scholarships

US Citizens
Resource Links for US Citizens

International Students
Resource Links for International Students

Scholarship Search Engines

Teaching and Research Assistantships

Joint Degree Funding

Cost and Tution

Cost breakdown based on rates for 2012-2013 academic year:

Total Cost of Tuition

$58,428.00 

Cost Per Credit

$1,680.00

Cost Per 3 Credit Class

$5,040.00

Full-time Student Fees

$348.00

12 (full-time) Credits/Semester  

$20,160.00

9 (full-time) Credits/Semester

$15,120.00

6 (part-time) Credits/Semester

$10,080.00

Graduate students at Georgetown pay per credit hour and the SSP is a 36 credit program. Students may enroll part-time (6 credits/semester) or full-time (9 or 12 credits/semester). Fees only apply to full-time students. Health insurance may be purchased as well at an additional cost. More details can be found on the Student Accounts website.

The cost of the SSP is comparable to other graduate programs in Washington, DC.  Applicants with financial need are encouraged to make timely applications for external financial support and to research outside sources of financial assistance as early as possible. Deadlines for many independently sponsored fellowships are often in October or November of the year before a student intends to matriculate.  

For information on billing policies and procedures, contact the Office of Student Accounts.

The most valuable resource for students seeking information about Georgetown University financial aid and loans is the Office of Student Financial Services. Information is listed below:

Phone: (202) 687-4547
Fax: (202) 687-6542
http://finaid.georgetown.edu/index.htm
Office of Student Financial Services
Georgetown University
Box 571252, G-19 Healy Hall
37th & O Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20057-1252
 

SSP Merit Based Aid

The SSP awards a limited number of merit based tuition scholarships to admitted students (both U.S. citizens and international) with exceptionally strong academic and professional qualifications. Awards range from 25% to 100% of tuition. Currently 21% of the SSP student body recieves a merit based scholarship. The SSP does not offer stipends or funds to cover travel or living expenses, books, or health insurance. Merit based aid is available to applicants for fall and spring semesters.There is no application process for merit based aid as applicants are evaluated on their overall credentials only.
 

US Citizens

Applicants from the United States are urged to consult their undergraduate placement, counseling, and financial aid offices regarding fellowship programs that may support graduate study.  Two types of aid are available: 

  • SSP merit based aid

  • Federally sponsored need based aid

Because the amount of SSP merit based aid is limited, students should also apply for outside grants and scholarships in the event no funding is offered by the SSP.  Various search engines are available to facilitate this process.

Many graduate students receive need-based federal financial aid funds and other financing assistance from the University's Office of Student Financial Services, which offers a full range of services to assist students.  Admitted students are encouraged to contact their counselor with questions about student loans and campus employment as well as university-wide scholarship and grant programs.

Student Employment and Work Study Positions

Part-time jobs at many different work sites are available at Georgetown under the regular student employment budgets and, for those who qualify, the U.S. Federal Work Study (FWS) Program. Information about Federal Work Study can be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Services

U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are applying for federal loans and federal work-study should submit the FAFSA by February 1.

Questions regarding loans, work-study programs, or FAFSA forms should be addressed to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Resource Links for US Citizens

US citizens and permanent residents may find the following links to scholarships outside Georgetown University useful. Please note that the application deadlines for many of these scholarships fall close to the deadline of the SSP.

  • AFCEA Educational Foundation - AFCEA International annually awards up to ten scholarships for students pursuing degrees related to intelligence and national security. Undergraduate scholarships are $2,250 each and graduate scholarships are $5,000 each.

  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation - Awards ranging from $750 to $2,500 to undergraduate and graduate students who excel academically. Both merit based and financial need awards offered. Details can be found on the website.

  • American Association of University Women - Career Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor's degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the work force. Special consideration is given to women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

  • Association to Unite the Democracies (Frank Education Fund) - FEF grants are available to graduate students of strong academic standing who complete one or more of the following requirements: A thesis or dissertation relating to international integration and/or federalism and coursework that places major weight on international integration and/or federalism; or an independent study project relating to international integration and federalism to be conducted as part of a graduate program.

  • Charles B. Rangel Fellowship – Provides $20,000 for tuition and $15,000 for a stipend for a two-year master’s degree in international affairs or a related subject (such as public administration, public policy, business administration, foreign languages, economics, political science, communications) at a graduate or professional school approved by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center.

  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) publishes a comprehensive list of scholarships, internships, and fellowships for Latino students.

  • Celia M. Howard Fellowship - The Howard Fellowship provides financial assistance to well-qualified Illinois women for study in the field of diplomacy.

  • The Delores Zorhab Liebmann Fund - Graduate school fellowships in any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences or natural sciences (including law, medicine, engineering, architecture or other formal professional training). The program of study need not be limited to Armenian studies, and candidates can be of any national descent.

  • Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program - The Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP) is designed to assist in recruiting and retaining highly qualified personnel in the field of Information Assurance (IA) to meet the Department of Defense’s (DoD) information technology requirements for national defense and the security of its information infrastructure. By utilizing and securing the most sophisticated networked information systems in the world, DoD maintains a substantial information advantage over any potential adversary, a key contributor to mission success. Protecting and securing this information advantage is critical to the national security of the United States and its allies.

  • Fastweb! - Search engine for various scholarship opportunities

  • Finlandia Foundation National - Scholarships are available for full-time undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates must have evidence of continuing to the sophomore level or higher prior to receiving the award and must have maintained a 3.0 GPA. Some of the criteria the FFN Scholarship Committee uses in evaluating applications are: financial need, course of study, and U.S./Finnish citizenship. Students studying subjects related to Finnish culture receive special consideration.

  • Foundation Center - Search engine for fellowships, grants and scholarships.

  • Guaranteed Scholarships - List of scholarship opportunities

  • National Hispanic College Scholarship Fund - The leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education.In support of its mission to double the rate of Hispanics earning college degrees, HSF provides the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country.

  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund - List of scholarship opportunities for US citizens and permanent residents pursuing graduate school. 

  • Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship Program (IIPP) - Provides students with specially designed education and training experiences critical to entry and advancement in international affairs careers. Graduate fellowship includes at least $15,000 support from two-year graduate school of international affairs matched with a grant from IIPP to be applied in accordance with an agreement between IIPP and the institution the Fellow attends.

  • The Kosciuszko Foundation - United States citizens and permanent residents of Polish descent who are beginning or continuing graduate studies in academic year September 2011 -May 2012 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Scholarships are given for full-time studies only. United States citizens of non-Polish descent are considered when their studies are primarily focused on Polish studies.

  • Maud Glover Folsom Foundation - The Maud Glover Folsom Foundation was created to provide financial aid in the form of scholarships to young men of German and Northern European decent. We are dedicated to providing scholarships to assist young men to reach their educational goals.

  • National Alliance for Excellence, Inc. - See website for various scholarship opportunities for graduate study.

  • National Association of Fellowship Advisors – Provides resources for national, merit-based scholarships for college and graduate level students.

  • National Italian American Foundation - Awards will be made on the basis of academic merit and divided between two groups of students:  Italian American students who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements; or those students from any ethnic background majoring or minoring in Italian language, Italian studies, Italian American studies or a related field, who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements.

  • National Science Foundation (Graduate Research Fellowship Program) - The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) helps ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science and engineering in the United States and reinforces its diversity. The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in the U.S. and abroad.

  • National Science Foundatoin Scholarship for Service - Scholarship For Service (SFS) is a unique program designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government's critical information infrastructure. This program provides scholarships that fully fund the typical costs that students pay for books, tuition, and room and board while attending an approved institution of higher learning. Additionally, participants receive stipends of up to $8,000 for undergraduate and $12,000 for graduate students. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation.

  • National Security Education Program: Boren Fellowship - Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to add an important international and language component to their educations. We focus on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad.

  • Peterson's - Search engine for various scholarship opportunities

  • ScholarshipExperts - Search engine for various scholarship opportunities

  • Sons of Italy Foundation: National Leadership Grant - U.S. citizens of Italian descent (at least one Italian or Italian American grandparent) enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a four-year, accredited academic institution for the Fall 2010 term.

  • Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship – For college students who are interested in joining the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Fellowship award provides two years of undergraduate funding (junior and senior year) and first year of funding at a graduate program of international affairs.

  • Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship - For individuals who are interested in joining the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees for the first year and second year of graduate study, with reimbursement for books and limited travel expenses.

  • Harry Truman Scholarship Foundation - The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection. The Foundation also provides assistance with career counseling, internship placement, graduate school admissions, and professional development.

  • Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA) - Prepares young adults from historically underrepresented groups for leadership positions in government, nonprofits, and international organizations.

  • Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans - Applicants who are "New Americans" – naturalized U.S. citizens, green card holders, or the children of two naturalized citizens – may be interested in the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans which provide half of tuition plus $20,000 for each of two years of graduate study.

  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships – For students interested in pursuing the basic science and technology innovations that can be applied to the Department of Homeland Security mission. Areas of study that are eligible include: physical, mathematical, computer and information, life, and social sciences, psychology, selected humanities, and engineering.

  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Educational Foundation - The Foundation's scholarship program is funded by support of its principal donor, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. through chapter tax and life member fees, by contributions and gifts from members and chapters, by the Board of Manager's contributions and fundraising, memorial scholarships, as well as fundraising atthe Regional and State levels. Endowments have been established for the Foundation at the National level, Chapter level, and by the Board of Managers.

 

International Students

SSP merit based aid is available to international students.  Please note, however, the SSP does not offer stipends or funds to cover travel or living expenses, books, or health insurance.  

Applicants who are non-U.S. citizens should apply for awards offered by their governments or by governmental and private agencies in the United States or elsewhere.

In most cases international students are not eligible to apply for federal student loan programs.  For additional resources visit here. 

 Georgetown offers scholarships and fellowships to graduate candidates based solely on academic qualifications to candidates that are recommended by the various graduate departments or programs.  International students compete for these awards on an equal basis with U.S. citizens. 

Proof of funding is not required for the application process, but international students who enroll will need to submit proof of funding as part of the visa process.

Education USA

Education USA is an invaluable resource for international students researching funding opportunities. EdUSA has in-country offices in many countries or regions around the world, in addition to representatives willing to work with students to answer their funding questions. We encourage you to visit their website:  http://www.educationusa.state.gov/

Resource Links for International Students

International students may also find the following sites useful. Please note that the application deadlines for many of these scholarships fall at the same time as the deadline for SSP admission.

  • American Association of University Women - AAUW International Fellowships support for full-time study or research to women who are not United States citizens or permanent residents.

  • The American-Scandinavian Foundation offers funding to Scandinavians (citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden) to undertake study or research programs in the United States for up to one year.

  • Association of International Educators (NAFSA) - Information on scholarship opportunities for international students 

  • Association to Unite the Democracies (Frank Education Fund) - FEF grants are available to graduate students of strong academic standing who complete one or more of the following requirements: A thesis or dissertation relating to international integration and/or federalism and coursework that places major weight on international integration and/or federalism; or an independent study project relating to international integration and federalism to be conducted as part of a graduate program.

  • Associacion Panamericanan de Instituciones de Credito Educativo (APICE) - This website offers a list of loan programs in the Americas by country. For students from North America, Central America and South America. 

  • Beca Magdalena O. Vda. De Brockman - Masters level scholarship for Mexican graduate students. 

  • Ron Brown Fellowship Program – For citizens of Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Kosovo, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. Supports Central and Eastern European students and professionals in U.S. graduate programs through merit-based competition. Contact Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy or the Fulbright Commission in your country (participating countries are subject to change).

  • Comision Mexico-Estados Unidos (COMEXUS) Fulbright-Garcia Robles - This website lists opportunities for graduate fellowships and scholarships to study in the USA for students from Mexico. 

  • Canadian Higher Education Loan Program (CanHELP) was developed to allow students from Canada to fund their education abroad in the USA.

  • Candadia Federation of University Women - Offers various scholarship opportunities.

  • Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia - For Mexican citizens interested in degree programs advancing scientific and technological sectors in Mexico.

  • Directorio de Becas - List of scholarship opportunties for Mexican citizens.

  • eduPASS - A resource guide for foreign nationals who wish to study in the US.

  • Finlandia Foundation National - Scholarships are available for full-time undergraduate and graduate students. Candidates must have evidence of continuing to the sophomore level or higher prior to receiving the award and must have maintained a 3.0 GPA. Some of the criteria the FFN Scholarship Committee uses in evaluating applications are: financial need, course of study, and U.S./Finnish citizenship. Students studying subjects related to Finnish culture receive special consideration.

  • Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP) - For citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Palestine, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, and Russia.   The IFP provides opportunities for advanced study to exceptional individuals who will use this education to become leaders in their respective fields, furthering development in their own countries and greater economic and social justice worldwide. All applications must be submitted to the appropriate IFP International Partner listed on the IFP website.

  • Foundation Center - Search engine for fellowships, grants and scholarships.

  • Fundação Estudar - Provides merit-based scholarships for Brazilian students studying at top M.B.A., M.P.P./International Affairs and LL.M. programs

  • FUNED  -  A private, nonprofit organization that provides financing for graduate education (one and two-year programs) to outstanding Mexican candidates.

  • Funding for US Study Online - For international students seeking funding opportunities for study in the United States. Organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education (IIE), Funding for US Study is an extensive database of scholarships, fellowships and grants including all types of funding programs, for all levels of post-secondary study, across the full range of academic areas.

  • Global Student Loan - Comprehensive education loan for international and distance learning students that does not require a co-signer in the host country.

  • Guaranteed Scholarships - List of scholarships for international students

  • Institute for International Education (IIE), Latin America - Scholarships, programs, and other financing options for international students

  • Inter-American Foundation (IAF) - The IAF has reinstated its Grassroots Development Fellowship Program supporting dissertation work by candidates for Ph.D. degrees from United States universities. The Institute of International Education (IIE) will administer the IAF’s program and its Web site provides complete information for interested individuals at www.iie.org/iaf in English only. Potential applicants should review the site in its entirety.

  • International Scholarships - Provides an extensive list of scholarships, grants and loan programs for students from any origin

  • International Student Loan - Access to loans for non-US citizens wishing to study in the U.S. Non-US citizen students are required to have a US Citizen or permanent resident as a co-signer to apply for this loan.

  • International Education Finance Corporation – IEFC is a provider of international student loan programs.

  • Institute of International Education (IIE) – Administers various Fulbright programs and brings over 1,000 Fulbright fellows to US academic programs each year.

  • ISO Student Health Insurance - Provides quality, low-cost health insurance coverage for internaitonal students studying in the US.

  • Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Studies Program – Offers funding for studies related to economic development.

  • Harvard LASPAU: Acacemic and Professional Programs for the Americas - LASPAU currently manages scholarship and educational programs such as the Fulbright Academic Exchange Program for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Becas Caldas program of COLCIENCIAS (Colombia) and the Academic Scholarship Programs of the Organization of American States.

  • Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund - The Rowe Fund awards educational loans to qualified persons from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help them finance higher education in the US. These loans are made on the understanding that when the recipients have completed their studies, they are to return to their respective home countries to assist in their countries’ development and further their welfare.

  • The Li Foundation Scholarship - Since 1944, the Li Foundation has provided financial aid to hundreds of outstanding Chinese scholars. The Foundation works with top level Universities and Institutions in the United States and China to establish a variety of quality programs. In every case, Li scholars are selected by the host institutions using a rigorous process involving a selection committee.

  • The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund - The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) awards educational grants to women from developing countries whose graduate studies and future plans aim to benefit women and children in their respective regions. Commitment to this goal is an essential selection criterion.

  • Educational Portal of the Americas, by the Organization of American States (OAS) - The scholarships granted by the OAS to people interested in graduate study and / or postgraduate research leading to a degree at a university or college in one of the Member States. Studies can be performed in the modality, remotely (via Internet), or a combination of both and are necessarily full time. The scholarship is awarded for a minimum period of one academic year and a maximum of two academic years.

  • P.E.O. Sisterhood International Peace Scholarship Fund for Women - Applicant must be a non-US or Canadian citizen who is a woman working towards a graduate degree (full-time) in the college or university of her choice in the US or Canada. Applicant must submit a witnessed statement that upon completion of her degree program she will return immediately to her own country to pursue her professional career.

  • Rotary Foundation - Rotary's educational programs promote international understanding by bringing together people from different countries and cultures. Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships is the world’s largest privately funded scholarship program. While students in Rotary's peace programs learn conflict resolution skills.

  • Rowe Fund, Organization of American States (OAS) - The Leo S. Rowe Pan American Fund, or the Rowe Fund, is an educational loan program of the Organization of American States (OAS). The Rowe Fund helps citizens from Latin America and the Caribbean OAS Member countries finance their studies or research in accredited universities across the United States by awarding interest-free loans for up to $15,000 dollars.

  • Social Science Research Council Fellowship - A core component of the Council’s work throughout its modern history has been the development and administration of competitive or institutional peer-reviewed fellowship and grants. Council fellowship and grants programs are strategic – they are targeted to a problem, promote individual and institutional change, generate new knowledge and build networks.

  • Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship – For citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.  The fellowship provides funding for graduate study in the US.

  • Graduate Fellowship News Letter - This list outlines scholarships divided by area of study. 

  • University of California, Berkeley - A list of funding opportunities foreign nationals (especially for Africans)

  • U.S. Journal of Academics provides up-to-date financial aid information for international students in the US

  • Open Society Fellowship -  supports individuals seeking innovative and unconventional approaches to fundamental open society challenges.

  • University of Wisconsin Database - Expansive list of opportunities for international students. 

International students should also visit in-country overseas advising centers.  To search for centers visit:

 

Scholarship Search Engines 

 

Teaching and Research Assistantships

A limited number of research assistantships are available to both international students and U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Research assistantships pay $13.50 and hour and students are allowed to work a max of 20 hours per week. Openings are posted as they become available and professors choose their own assistants. From time to time financial support is available for specific projects submitted by students or under special research assistantships developed by faculty members.

SSP students may serve as teaching assistants at Georgetown in various undergraduate departments. Students interested in teaching assistantships should make inquiries directly to the individual departments at Georgetown as early as possible for full consideration.

 

Joint Degree Funding

Applicants to the M.A./Ph.D. in Government and M.A./J.D. program are eligible to apply for Government Department and Law Center funding in addition to SSP and federal funds.