Financial Aid
The Department of Public Policy provides financial support to students in the form of graduate assistantships. The Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis and Research, The Hilltop Institute, the Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education, and the Shriver Peaceworker Program also support graduate students through externally funded grants and research projects. A significant portion of our full-time graduate students receive these types of merit-based support. Students awarded graduate assistantships are full time and work 20 hours per week in the department. Applicants seeking funding through a graduate assistantship should contact the department.
Graduate assistantships are usually awarded for the academic year (mid-August through mid-June), although occasionally there is a chance for a mid-year appointment .
In addition, UMBC offers graduate student support through co-op programs, internships, work study, and other arrangements. U.S. applicants should complete a FASFA form when they apply to graduate school.
Students seeking to study full time should consult the UMBC Office of Financial Aid for details about the variety of other scholarships, grants, and loans available – www.umbc.edu/financialaid. Governmental agencies and other organizations may also provide support to their employees for graduate education. Employees should check with their human resources department.