FINANCIAL AID
A Humphrey Institute degree is one of the best “value for money” investments you can make. Annual tuition is significantly less than annual undergraduate tuition at many of the nation’s liberal arts colleges. In addition, the cost of living in the Twin Cities is significantly lower (and quality of life higher) than in many comparable and larger cities.
Annual cost¹ of the MPP, MURP, or MS-STEP degree at 2007-2008 rates
|
MN residents |
Non-residents (includes international students) |
Tuition |
$11,230 |
$18,312 |
|
|
|
Health Insurance² |
$1,564 |
$1,564 |
Student Fees³ |
$2,250 |
$2,250 |
|
|
|
Books (estimated) |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
|
|
TOTAL ACADEMIC EXPENSES |
$16,044 |
$23,126 |
|
|
|
Room and board (estimated) |
$9,200 |
$9,200 |
Personal/Miscellaneous expenses (estimated) |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
Transportation (estimated) |
$750 |
$750 |
|
|
|
TOTAL LIVING EXPENSES |
$11,950 |
$11,950 |
|
|
|
TOTAL (estimated) |
$27,994 |
$35,076 |
¹ Costs above assume full-time enrollment and cover the nine month academic year. Actual costs may vary depending on housing, health and loan fee assessments, transportation costs, and spending habits. These estimates do not include settling in costs such as rental deposits, furniture, computers, etc.
² Insurance fee can be waived if you provide proof of coverage by another party.
³ Student fees listed above do not include approximately $100 in fees for international students.
For information on MPA tuition and/or costs of part-time enrollment, please click here.
Students fund their education through a variety of means: scholarships, graduate assistantships, part-time jobs, personal savings, and loans (federal or private). Below are links to more information on funding resources.
Scholarships and fellowships for incoming students
Scholarships and grants for continuing students
University of Minnesota financial aid resources
Graduate assistantships
External funding resources
Federal student aid
Frequently asked questions
Scholarships and Fellowships for Incoming Humphrey Students
The Humphrey Institute offers merit-based financial aid in the form of scholarships, fellowships, and research assistantships. Most Humphrey Institute scholarships and fellowships are available only to applicants pursuing the MPP, MS, and MURP degrees. Most awards require full-time enrollment.
Applications for scholarships and fellowships for MPP, MURP, and MS students must be postmarked by January 5 to receive full consideration.
Applications for scholarships and fellowships for MPA students must be postmarked by April 1.
Below is a brief description of scholarships and fellowships available to Humphrey Students.
Robert and Paula Barrie Fellowship in International Trade and Public Policy: For students who intend to study issues of international trade, international development, and public policy. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $6,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
John E. Brandl Public Leadership Fellowship: For students who intend to pursue a career in public service, either in government or the nonprofit sector. Preference will be given to applicants with an active interest in electoral politics. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $6,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
Charles R. Krusell Fellowship in Community Development: This scholarship offers financial aid and professional development opportunities for economically disadvantaged and underrepresented students interested in the fields of housing and community development. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship, plus a graduate assistantship and stipend (combined total of $10,000) in year one, a full-time paid summer internship, and a graduate assistantship in year two.
Charles R. Krussel Fellowship brochure
Dick Graham/DARTS Fellowship for Studies in Nonprofit Leadership: For mid-career Master of Public Affairs (MPA) students at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs who have demonstrated a commitment to community-based nonprofit leadership and exemplary leadership potential. Priority consideration will be given to talented students who articulate a vision for widening the circle of community and leading effective community change at a grass-roots level. Award provides tuition scholarship from $4,000-$8,000.
Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowships: These extremely competitive University-wide fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School to assist graduate programs to recruit academically excellent students with diverse ethnic, racial, economic and educational backgrounds and experiences who have been traditionally underrepresented in graduate programs. The Institute nominates its top four applicants (who must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents). To be considered, applicants must submit a brief statement on how her or his background, experiences and achievements will contribute to the university's goal of promoting excellence through diversity. Award provides a two year full-tuition scholarship with health benefits, plus a $21,000 stipend in year one, and a graduate assistantship in year two.
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS): FLAS Fellowships are intended for new and returning graduate students to study a less commonly taught foreign language during the academic year and/or for intensive language courses in the summer. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. The Institute can nominate up to three candidates. For more information and application materials, go to http://igs.cla.umn.edu/grad/fundflas.html. Award provides a full-tuition scholarship and $15,000 stipend for the academic year, or a summer tuition scholarship plus $2,500 stipend for summer study.
Bert and Susan Hill Gross Fellowship: For students who have a demonstrated interest in nonprofits, philanthropy and the public sector. This award will be given to a student with exemplary leadership potential. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $6,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
Gerald W. Heaney Fellowship or Scholarship: Applicants must be from Duluth or Northeastern Minnesota. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $5,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
Francis Humphrey Howard Tuition Scholarship: Provides a full tuition scholarship for one year.
Humphrey Institute Advisory Council Scholarships: Funded by the Institute’s Advisory Council members, these scholarships vary in amount and structure, ranging from a one year full-tuition scholarship to a one-year full-tuition scholarship plus graduate assistantship.
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships and Scholarships: Merit-based awards vary in amount, structure and length, ranging from a one year full tuition scholarship plus $6,000 stipend, to a two-year full tuition scholarship plus $15,000 stipend in year one and a graduate assistantship in year two.
Humphrey Institute Graduate Assistantships: Quarter-time service (10 hours per week) is required. Some awards also include a full-tuition scholarship. Awards are made for one or two years.
James E. Jernberg Public Service Fellowship: For MPP students who intend to pursue a career in public service, whether in government (local, state, federal), the volunteer, nonprofit or private sector. Preference will be given to those with some public service experience (including as part of undergraduate experience) and a demonstrated ability to integrate the ethic of service into all aspects of their lives. Please address the following points in your statement of purpose: a) your commitment to volunteerism or public service; b) the qualities you value or admire in public leaders and an assessment of how you wish to exhibit these qualities; and c) your reasons for considering a public career rather than others likely to produce greater financial wealth. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $6,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
James Lyday Fellowship for Leadership in Public Service: For students who intend to pursue a career in public service and who show promise of a career characterized by the qualities that have distinguished the work of James Lyday: wisdom, analytical rigor, commitment to the public good, persistence, and a penchant for applying ideas from the academy to social policy. Application is particularly encouraged from persons who, in the judgment of teachers and employers, have potential not yet adequately measured by their academic record. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $6,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
MacArthur Scholars Fellowship: The MacArthur Interdisciplinary Program on Peace and International Cooperation encourages study and research on the issues of peace, social change, security, and international cooperation as they relate to contemporary developing societies. Applicants must have backgrounds and interests relevant to these central issues and must plan on pursuing a course of study in international development. The Institute nominates its top three applicants and people may also apply directly to the MacArthur program. To be considered, applicants must submit a brief statement discussing their qualifications. Award includes a two-year full tuition scholarship and health benefits, plus a $20,000 stipend in year one, and a graduate assistantship in year two.
Gerald Mullin Distinguished Graduate Fellow: Applicants interested in international peace and the solution to controversies between people. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $5,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
Joseph Robbie Fellowship/Scholarship in Metropolitan Government and Planning: For Master of Urban and Regional Planning students planning to pursue a career in metropolitan or regional government or planning. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship plus a $5,000 stipend in year one and a Graduate Assistantship in year two.
Martin Olaf Sabo Fellowship: For students from historically underrepresented applicant populations with demonstrated financial need who have overcome economic or educational disadvantages to achieve success in scholarship and leadership that will increase the diversity of views and experiences represented in the Humphrey Institute student body. Award provides a one year, full tuition scholarship.
Shorenstein Scholarship: Merit-based award varies in amount, structure and length, ranging from a one year, full-tuition scholarship to a two year full tuition scholarship plus graduate assistantship.
Thomas H. Swain Fellowship in Public Leadership: For students in the Master of Public Affairs program who intend to study civic engagement or public leadership. Priority will be given to Minnesota residents and US citizens who demonstrate evidence or promise of contributing to public leadership in Minnesota. Students must complete their degrees within three years. Award provides up to $10,000 tuition scholarship.
Wilder Fellowship: For MPP students who are interested in domestic policy research. A key component of the fellowship is a graduate assistantship with the Wilder Research Center. Award provides a two year full tuition scholarship, plus a first year graduate assistantship or stipend, plus a full-time paid summer internship and a second year graduate assistantship, both with the Wilder Research Center.
Scholarships and grants for continuing students
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS): FLAS Fellowships are intended for new and returning graduate students to study a less commonly taught foreign language during the academic year and/or for intensive language courses in the summer. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. The Institute can nominate up to three candidates. For more information and application materials, go to: http://igs.cla.umn.edu/grad/fundflas.html. The Humphrey Institute deadline (so we can forward nominated applications to IGS by the February 11 deadline), is Monday, January 28, 2008.
Alumni Tuition Grant Program (ATGP): Grants funded by Humphrey Institute Alumni provide $1,000 to $4,500 to second-year (or beyond) Humphrey students who will be completing their degree in the following academic year. Selection criteria include: academic achievement, professional promise, community service, and financial need. Deadline for ATGP applications is April 18.
Application instructions
Meet the Alumni Tuition Grant Program recipients
Jonas Swartz Award: An alumni tuition grant awarded to a student demonstrating outstanding community service. See ATGP application instructions and deadlines.
Gayle R. Zoffer Award: An alumni tuition grant awarded to a student with interest in women and public policy. See ATGP application instructions and deadlines.
Richard Bolan Award: A tuition grant of $2,000 to $6,000 for an outstanding MURP student. Deadline for Bolan applications is April 18.
Application instructions
Internship grants
The Humphrey Institute and University of Minnesota have a number of small grants available to support unpaid and international internships.
University of Minnesota Financial Aid
Graduate Assistantships
A number of students in all degree programs secure research or teaching assistant positions for ten to twenty hours a week. These positions qualify non-Minnesota residents for resident tuition rates, and students holding graduate assistant positions also may be eligible for partial tuition benefits and health insurance.
Graduate School funding resource
Starting point to explore all University of Minnesota funding options.
Fellowships through The Graduate School
These Fellowships are supported by endowed income from wills and trusts, or gifts from organizations or individuals. Deadlines in December.
Graduate School Diversity Office
More information on funding opportunities for graduate students.
International Student and Scholar Services
ISSS offers a very limited amount of financial aid to international students who are experiencing financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances.
Onestop
Contains more information on financing your education including needs-based aid.
Richard S. Bolan Award
This award comes from a gift from Planning Professor Emeritus Richard S. Bolan. The award provides funds for Tuition, ranging from $2,000 to $6,000. The selection committee is comprised of MURP faculty members.
Selection Criteria:
- MURP student
- Must have completed at least 20 credits by the end of Spring 2008, and
intend to complete the degree during the 2008-2009 academic year.
- Must have been actively enrolled during the 2007-2008 academic year
- Recipients of two year HHH financial aid awards are not eligible
(recipients of one year awards can apply, though preference will be
given to those who did not receive any HHH financial aid)
- Academic achievement in the planning program
- Professional promise in planning career
To apply, please submit the following materials to Julie Harrold in room 225 Humphrey Center. The application deadline is 4:30pm on April 1, 2008.
- Current transcript (student copy OK)
- Program requirements worksheet (your completed draft showing how you
will complete the degree in 2008-2009 -- does not need to be signed by
your adviser)
- A short statement (no more than one page) briefly describing your
achievements in the planning program and future goals re: a planning
career
- Resume or CV
If you've already completed an ATGP application, you may submit a copy of that application (or ask Julie to make a copy for consideration for the Bolan award (since the criteria are similar). |
