Princeton and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs are renowned for supporting their students in pursuit of higher education and in being leaders committed to service. We do this in the classroom as well as with funding. We invest in you so that you, in turn, will be able to invest in others and fully embrace Princeton’s informal motto, “In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity.”
What does this actually mean? Simply put, we fully fund our graduate students. Yes, you read that correctly. We cover 100% of tuition and health fees for all enrolling students over the length of their programs, which is two years for the MPA, one year for the MPP, and five years for the PhD. For the current cycle that’s $51,250 per year. It’s not a loan, and it is not dependent on or linked to a campus job. It’s a fellowship from the School. It does not need to be paid back. In addition, this funding holds true regardless of your citizenship. That means U.S. citizens, permanent residents, international students, undocumented and DACA students all receive full funding.
In addition, we offer generous, need-based living stipends. We want to ensure that our students can commit their time and energy to fully participating in the academic and social life at the School. We don’t want you to be saddled with loans, and we don’t want you to take on a part-time job or seek a teaching assistantship to make ends meet. Quite the contrary, we know our programs are demanding and the opportunities vast, and we don’t want you to miss out. So we invest in you.
If you are bringing in outside funding, the School tops up to cover full tuition, and in some cases may offer merit aid in addition to need-based aid to grant you a full living stipend. For instance, the School tops off the funding for Pickering, Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA), and Rangel Fellows. Likewise, there are several U.S. military and government sponsorships where we cover the difference to meet full tuition and fees.
Applicants to the School are required to fill out the Statement of Financial Resources (SOFR). Rest assured, the information is not used when evaluating an application for admission. Our admissions process is need-blind, which means we admit students regardless of their ability to pay. The SOFR is reviewed as we put together financial aid packages. Financial assistance for graduate students is awarded on the basis of financial need as indicated on the SOFR and in some cases on the basis of academic merit and promise. We reserve the right to ask for additional forms such as a W-2, tax return, or similar financial documentation to verify need.
If you think you may be eligible for an application fee waiver, please consult the Graduate School’s fee waiver page for more details, eligibility information, and instructions.
Our students are committed to lives of service. Our generous funding allows students to fully embrace their experience at the School as well as step into impactful leadership roles once they depart. “In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity,” is at our core in all we do.
Photo: Princeton University, Office of Communications, Danielle Alio (2017)