SAIS Scholarships
We offer a wide array of scholarship opportunities to eligible students without regard to citizenship. These opportunities include prestigious named scholarships and fellowships from sponsoring organizations.
Institutional Aid
Johns Hopkins SAIS funding is awarded to US and non-US citizens. Prospective students must indicate on their admissions application that they wish to be considered for scholarship aid.
Please keep in mind that very few scholarship awards cover full tuition. Students are, therefore, encouraged to seek other sources of funding in addition to applying for scholarships.
Unless noted otherwise, scholarships are awarded to offset tuition costs only. Scholarships are based on the need and merit of the student.
Washington DC
Applicants, both U.S. and international, who apply to the MAIR program in Washington DC are considered for the following scholarships:
Johns Hopkins SAIS Public Service Fellows
The Public Service Fellowship is a prestigious award offered to select students who have a strong interest in, or demonstrated experience in, working in the public sector. This award is based on both merit and financial need. To be considered, students must complete the supplemental application within their admissions application. These funds can only be utilized at the Washington, DC campus.
Public Service Fellows are awarded a 100% tuition scholarship, renewable for their second year of study, with full-time enrollment and a cumulative 3.4 GPA.
For more information on eligibility and program requirements, and the application process, please review the Public Service Fellows page.
Dean’s Scholarship
The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to students with outstanding academic and personal achievement. Scholarships range from partial to full tuition and can be renewed each year.
Global Scholarship
The Global Scholarship is offered to international students (non-US citizens and non-permanent residents) who demonstrate strong academic and personal achievement. Scholarships range from partial to full tuition and can be renewed each year.
TECHNOLOGY AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS SCHOLARSHIP
Part of a historic gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies focused on expanding need-based financial aid for graduate students the Technology and International Affairs scholarship is a prestigious award which provides vital need-based financial support for MAIR students with an interest in the intersection of technology and international affairs to address global challenges. Students will gain policy-relevant skills in areas like AI, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and space, preparing them for a broad range of public and private sector careers including national security and diplomacy, technology policy and management, consulting, and more.
Scholarships range from partial to full tuition in both the first and second years of study, based on eligibility requirements and demonstrated need.
Scholarship Renewal
- Admitted students who receive scholarships in their first year are guaranteed the same amount of aid in their second provided they meet the required enrollment and academic standards.
- Admitted students who do not receive aid in their first year may apply for and be granted scholarships in their second year on the basis of exceptional academic performance in their first year.
- Second-year scholarship consideration is managed by the Financial Aid Office. The application process typically begins in the month of March during the student’s spring semester in their first year.
The Master of Arts in Global Policy (MAGP) awards generous scholarships to students based on outstanding academic and professional achievement. MAGP gives special consideration to:
- professionals currently working in the US public sector;
- diplomats serving at embassies or international organizations in Washington DC;
- and nonprofit and private sector employees in organizations that have established partnerships with Johns Hopkins SAIS.
MAGP awards a limited number of half-tuition scholarships to exceptional candidates with work experience in the following areas:
- International Organizations
- International Development
- Energy Resources and Environment
- Global Strategy/Security
- Journalism
Applicants wishing to be considered for these half-tuition MAGP scholarships must indicate this on the "Statement of Funding" they are required to submit as part of the application.
Individuals with additional questions about scholarship availability or establishing a Johns Hopkins SAIS partnership with their organization should contact the Director of Executive Education Recruitment and Outreach, Martina Leinz at [email protected].
Scholarships for MIEF students are awarded based on outstanding academic and professional achievement. MIEF scholarships are available to both US and international students. The MIEF program can be completed in an accelerated 10 month format or in a 2 year format. Scholarships for the MIEF program are limited and cover partial tuition only.
Scholarships for full and part-time MIPP students are awarded based on outstanding academic and professional achievement and are available to both US and international students. MIPP Scholarship are limited to cover partial tuition only.
*Students are ineligible for MIPP scholarships if they only enroll in one course.
*MIPP Scholarships cannot be used during the summer semester.
*MIPP Scholarships may vary if students enrolls in 16 credits, 12 credits, or 8 credits.
Public Service Scholars
The Public Service Scholarship is a prestigious award offered to select full-time and part-time MIPP students who are engaged in public service. This award is based on both merit and financial need. To be considered, students must complete the supplemental application within their admissions application. These funds can only be utilized at the Washington, DC campus.
Public Service Scholars are awarded 50% tuition scholarships. For more information on eligibility and program requirements, and the application process, please review the Public Service Scholars page.
Merit-based scholarships are awarded to full-time DIA students, irrespective of citizenship, who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional achievement. Scholarships to are limited (i.e., will not cover full tuition) and there are no stipends. Scholarships are not available to students pursuing the DIA degree on a part-time basis. This includes all students in the final, non-residential year of the DIA program, as it is only delivered part-time.
Students admitted to the PhD program receive scholarship and stipend funding for a limited amount of time. Students who have completed the two-year Master of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins SAIS are eligible to receive funding for a maximum of three years, and those who have not completed the Master of Arts degree from the school may be eligible to receive funding for a maximum of four years. Students may apply for additional financial support to attend conferences, conduct additional research, or additional methods training.
PhD scholarship awards are evaluated each year by the PhD Committee to determine if the financial award will be renewed. Annual scholarship evaluations are based on performance in class, satisfaction of degree requirements, and a written evaluation from the student’s PhD advisor.
Scholarships for MASCI students are awarded based on academic and professional achievement. MASCI Scholarships are limited to cover partial tuition only.
SAIS Europe
Dual nationals and non-U.S. citizens applying to SAIS Europe, see SAIS Europe Financial Aid. U.S. citizens applying to the MAIR in SAIS Europe are considered for the following scholarship:
Dean’s Scholarship
The Dean’s Scholarship is awarded to students with outstanding academic and personal achievement. Scholarships range from partial to full tuition and can be renewed each year.
Scholarship Renewal for the Dean's Scholarship
- Admitted students who receive scholarships in their first year are guaranteed the same amount of aid in their second provided they meet the required enrollment and academic standards.
- Admitted students who do not receive aid in their first year may apply for and be granted scholarships in their second year on the basis of exceptional academic performance in their first year.
- Second-year scholarship consideration is managed by the Financial Aid Office. The application process typically begins in the month of March during the student’s spring semester in their first year.
Hopkins-Nanjing Center
Named Scholarships
Named scholarships are made possible by the generous contributions of donors. First-year students may receive named scholarships under special circumstances, but most are awarded to second-year students. The Continuing Student Aid Application will be emailed to students in early April of their first year of study.
The following two scholarships are for prospective MAIR applicants to be considered for.
Priscilla Mason Scholarship – Priscilla Mason was one of the founding administrators of Johns Hopkins SAIS and a former member of the school’s Advisory Council. Established in 1995, this scholarship supports students intending to pursue a career in US government service. Applicants must be in need of financial aid, a US citizen, and a first-year MAIR student. The student selected will be offered a full tuition scholarship. This funding is renewable with full-time enrollment and a 3.4 cumulative GPA.
Information on the application procedures are emailed to first year MAIR applicants in early February. Students are notified of any award at the time of admission.
W.W. Norton & Company 9/11 Commission Report Scholarship – Established in 2005 by W.W. Norton & Company, publisher of the authorized version of The 9/11 Commission Report, this scholarship supports two students, one American and one student from a predominantly Muslim country, who will pursue careers in promoting international understanding and preventing terrorism. This is open to incoming MAIR students and is renewable with full-time enrollment and a 3.4 cumulative GPA.
Information on the application procedures are emailed to first year MAIR applicants in early February. Students are notified of any award at the time of admission.
Sponsored Scholarships
The school participates in matching agreements with the external sponsors listed below. The school makes every effort to exceed the minimum scholarship up to full tuition. Scholarships will be granted on a competitive basis, with amounts subject to availability of funds.
- Charles B. Rangel Fellows – Johns Hopkins SAIS will cover the difference between your sponsored tuition amount and full time tuition, health insurance, and other applicable fees (excluding the required matriculation fee). Starting fall 2023, all new Fellows to SAIS will also receive a $5,000 stipend ($2,500/year) to cover any experiential learning or educational related expenses.
- Donald M. Payne International Development Scholarship Program – Johns Hopkins SAIS will cover the difference between your sponsored tuition amount and full time tuition, health insurance, and other applicable fees (excluding the required matriculation fee). Starting fall 2023, all new Fellows to SAIS will also receive a $5,000 stipend ($2,500/year) to cover any experiential learning or educational related expenses.
- Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellows – Minimum scholarship of $5,000 per academic year.
- Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellows – Johns Hopkins SAIS will cover the difference between your sponsored tuition amount and full time tuition, health insurance, and other applicable fees (excluding the required matriculation fee). Starting fall 2023, all new Fellows to SAIS will also receive a $5,000 stipend ($2,500/year) to cover any experiential learning or educational related expenses.
External Scholarships and Fellowships
Established in 1979 by the Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired (DACOR) Foundation, this scholarship provides assistance for a student pursuing a better understanding of US foreign policy. This scholarship is open to US Citizens in the 1st year of a Master of Arts program only.
Information on the applications procedures are emailed to eligible first year Master of Arts students during their first year of study.
Johns Hopkins SAIS is a one of the designated institutions of The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund. This fund supports graduate students in any recognized field of study in the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences. Mrs. Liebmann was the daughter of Krikor Zohrab, a prominent Armenian intellectual, writer and statesman.
Graduate school fellowships cover the cost of tuition and provide an annual $18,000 stipend for living expenses. Graduate student applicants can be of any national descent but must be US citizens.
Fellowship applications are distributed to Johns Hopkins in October, applications are due in January, and notifications are sent by mid-June. More information may be found here.
Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowships assist students in acquiring competence in foreign languages as well as a fuller understanding of the regions and countries in which those languages are commonly used.
Please refer to this site for more information.
The late Herbert Roback was a highly respected public servant who encouraged talented and promising students to consider lifetime careers in public service. In his honor, the National Academy of Public Administration awards The Herbert Roback Scholarship of up to $7,500 to one graduate student currently enrolled, or admitted for enrollment, in a full-time master’s degree program in public administration, public and international affairs, and/or political science.
Visit the National Academy of Public Administration for more information. Applications procedures are emailed to eligible first year students during their first year of study.
Established in 1936, The International Student House in DC (ISH-DC) is an exceptional residence for a highly diverse international community of graduate students, interns, and visiting scholars. ISH-DC provides residential scholarships in the amount of $2,500 per semester, which covers 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of room and board at the house.
To apply, complete the housing application and the scholarship application on the International Student House website. Application are due April 30.