As a public institution in Virginia, George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government is one of the top values in education, offering a world-class education at affordable tuition rates with many opportunities for financial support.
Merit-Based Scholarships
The Schar School considers master’s and certificate applicants for merit-based scholarships as part of the application process. Scholarship decisions are made at the same time as admissions decisions, and students who wish to be considered need to indicate their interest in merit-based scholarships on their graduate application. No separate financial application is necessary. Each year, more than 75% of admitted students are offered some form of merit-based award.
At the master’s and certificate level, we do not offer full tuition scholarships, research assistantships, or graduate assistantships.
We highly encourage students to apply by our priority application dates for your specific program. However, applicants who have requested scholarship consideration will still be considered on a case-by-case basis throughout the application term.
Schar School Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's students are not eligible for these merit-based scholarships. To learn more about opportunities available to BAM students, please visit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's page.
Schar School Master's and Certificate Award Levels
Spring 2025 applicants
Dean's Merit: Awarded to in-state master's applicants- Award amounts vary up to a maximum of $10,000.
Dean's Fellow: Awarded to out-of-state master's applicants- Award amounts vary up to a maximum of $25,000.
Dean's Fellow (Certificate): Awarded to out-of-state certificate applicants- Award amounts vary up to a maximum of $10,000.
Foundation Awards: Awarded to in-state and out-of-state master’s applicants- Award amounts vary up to a maximum of $10,000.
Master’s and Certificate Regional Pricing
Students beginning a master's or certificate program at the Schar School in the fall 2023 semester or later, who reside in Washington, D.C. and Maryland can qualify for the Regional Pricing Policy. The Regional Pricing Policy tuition rate is equivalent to the in-state tuition rate!
Foreign Affairs Fellowship Programs
The Rangel and Pickering Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State.
Opportunity for McNair Scholars
The Schar School of Policy and Government offers a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) position for students who have participated in the McNair Scholars Program.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)
Full-time PhD students are eligible for graduate research assistantships that offer tuition remission for three courses and an annual stipend in exchange for 20 hours per week of research with a Schar School faculty member. To be considered, please indicate your interest on your application.
Graduate Inclusion & Access Scholarship
This George Mason University scholarship, awarded on a competitive basis, is available to first-generation college students from underrepresented groups who are pursuing a doctoral degree and have demonstrated financial need. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for this funding. Read about this scholarship.
