Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Financial aid for graduate students is only available for 400 level and higher coursework. Additional information and applications are available from the Graduate Program Chairs.

Full-time Graduate Student Stipends

For the following awards, students apply through their graduate program:

• University Graduate Fellowship

  Awarded to full-time incoming doctoral students starting in the first semester of enrollment. Usually include two years of funding:  stipend (approx $27,000 2016-2017) + tuition remission. The award selection is based on GPA and GRE scores, and the program evaluation of prior experience.

• Bunton-Waller Graduate Scholars Awards

  Assistantship awards for entering students who contribute to the diversity of the College; awarded competitively; GPA/GRE scores (or other standardized test) required.  Usually includes two years of funding at the masters level, four years of funding at the doctoral level. Master’s Stipend (approx. $19,035 for 2016-2017) + tuition remission.

• Capital College Graduate Assistantships

  Capital College Graduate Assistantships for one year; awarded competitively; GPA/GRE scores (or other standardized test) required; Stipend (approx. $19,035 for 2016-2017) + tuition remission.

School-Specific Funding

Please contact the School of Public Affairs at 717-948-6051 for more information regarding the following:

• Central Pennsylvania HFMA Scholarship for Healthcare Administration:

  Consideration for this scholarship shall be given to undergraduate and/or graduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in the Health Administration degree program, or successor degree program, at Penn State Harrisburg who have achieved superior academic records (as demonstrated by a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a scale of 4.0) or who manifest promise of outstanding academic success. Application Deadline: April 1st.

• Highmark Blue Shield Graduate Fellowship:

  Consideration for this fellowship will be given to all full-time or part-time graduate students exhibiting academic excellence who have been admitted to Penn State Harrisburg as candidates for the following graduate degrees; Masters or Doctorate of Public Administration or Masters of Health Administration, with a concentration in health care, who demonstrate strong interest and potential for success in the Health Care field, who have achieved positive academic records, and who have exhibited a strong commitment to a career in health care. Application Deadline: April 1st.

• Irving and Mildred Hand State, Urban and Regional Affairs Award:

  Consideration for this award shall be given to all part-time and full-time graduate students enrolled at Penn State Harrisburg who have achieved excellence in the study of state, regional and local affairs and are from Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, or York counties in Pennsylvania. Particular consideration shall be directed to those students whose focus of study has been and is state, regional and community planning and implementation. Application Deadline: April 1st.

• HealthAmerica Graduate Fellowship:

  Consideration for this fellowship will be given to all full-time or part-time graduate students exhibiting academic excellence who have been admitted to Penn State Harrisburg as candidates for the following graduate degrees, Masters or Doctorate of Public Administration, or Masters in Health Administration who demonstrate strong interest and potential for success in the Health Care field, who have achieved positive academic records, and who have exhibited a strong commitment to a career in health care. Application Deadline: April 1st.

• United Concordia Endowed Scholarship:

  Consideration for this scholarship shall be given to all full-time graduate students enrolled or planning to enroll in the Health Administration Master's Program in the School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg who have achieved superior academic records or who manifest promise of outstanding academic success, and who have a demonstrated financial need. Application Deadline: April 1st.

Tuition Scholarships

• Chancellor's Award for Graduate Students

  The Chancellor's Award for Graduate Students provides recognition and financial assistance to highly qualified graduate students planning to enroll at Penn State Harrisburg. Up to 100 of the top incoming graduates will be awarded $1,000 per year ($500 per semester).

• International Student Tuition Grant-In-Aid

  This program offers some assistance for both graduate and undergraduate students. Details and application information are available from the Office of Global Programs.

• Summer Tuition Assistance

  Tuition remission for 1-9 (depending on availability of funds) summer credits for students who received two consecutive semesters of fellowship/assistantship support. Eligible students are notified in the spring.

• Other ways to fund students

  School-specific funding, for example, teaching assistantships and grant-funded research assistantships; wage-payroll (through the respective graduate program).  Inquire within the specific Schools and Programs for availability. Loans (see Office of Financial Aid).

Sources available through the Office of Financial Aid

• Filing the FAFSA: Complete the 2017-18 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Penn State’s federal school code is 003329.  An FSA ID# is required and can be completed from the FAFSA website. The 2015 federal income tax formation is required to complete the 2017-18 FAFSA. Work Study (graduate students earn $11 an hour with a maximum of 20 hours per week); Loans (possible eligibility of $20,500).
   
• Academic Scholarships: Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are automatically considered for all of Penn State Harrisburg’s scholarships. Anticipated notification will be early May.
   
• Board of Advisors Graduate Fellowship: Fellowship to recognize and support an outstanding graduate student enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State Harrisburg who demonstrates financial need.  Deadline date is March 15, 2017. For more information please visit the Board of Advisors Graduate Fellowship page.
   
• Stafford Student Loan:  Graduate Students must be enrolled for a minimum of five (5) graduate level credits to receive a Stafford Student Loan.  The graduate level loan is $20,500.