Consult Christine: Financial Aid and Scholarships — A breakdown

Christine’s response to a perennially frequently asked question.

A popular question in the inbox this week (and always) is about scholarship aid: who is eligible; how can I apply; how many full tuition scholarships do you have; and are there other financial aid opportunities.  I have always been taught that it is not polite to talk about money, but in this case, I will make an exception!

We consider all applicants for Fletcher scholarship awards based on both merit and need.  To be considered, you must fill out the Fletcher Scholarship Application, which is included as part of the online application.  The more complete your answers to the questions, the better the picture we can get of your individual financial situation.  There are no awards based on need alone or on merit alone.  And no distinction is made between U.S. and international students when awarding funds.

In addition, some special externally funded scholarships become available throughout the year for enrolled students, and announcements will be made with further instructions on eligibility and application requirements.  More information on these scholarships can be found here.

As for full-tuition scholarships, while they are offered relatively rarely, they have been granted to the most outstanding candidates, also based on a combination of merit and need.  Emphasis is placed on candidates who exhibit exceptional academic achievement and a strong commitment to the field of international affairs.  Both international and U.S. students are eligible.

In addition to scholarships offered by Fletcher, U.S. citizens and permanent residents can apply for loans and work-study funds.  These awards are determined by the university’s Student Financial Services office, based on the FAFSA.

Besides scholarships and loans, there are also opportunities for students to work on campus during their time here.  The great thing about Fletcher being a part of the larger Tufts University community is that students can work within a Fletcher department (for example, Admissions!) or find something that suits them better elsewhere on the Tufts campus.  Campus employment is a great way to help finance your education or earn some pocket money for a night out in Boston!

In addition to office work, there is the also the possibility of becoming a teaching assistant or research assistant.  Opportunities for teaching assistants can be found both at Tufts Arts and Sciences departments such as political science, economics and history, and also here at Fletcher.  It is very unusual for students to be hired as teaching assistants in their first semester, but they have more opportunities in the second and later semesters.

We understand that graduate school is as much a financial investment as it is a professional one.  Fletcher scholarships are offered to as many students as possible to help meet the cost of attending graduate school, but nearly all students identify other sources of funding beyond the scholarship, such as savings, loans, family contributions, and income from campus work.  Following graduation, the Tufts University Loan Repayment Assistance Program can be a source of further assistance.

Financial aid is a key consideration for most of our applicants.  For further questions, please contact us by email or phone to +1.617.627.3040.