Master of Environmental Studies

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For Prospective Students

Program Overview

For Current Students

Funding from the MES Program

2013-2014 MES Financial Aid Award Descriptions

The 13-14 MES financial aid award application is now closed.  Please fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for loans and possibly tuition waivers as described below.

Award Categories

Awards for All MES Students

The following awards are available to applicants for Fall 2013 and continuing students.  Continuing students who have already taken thesis credits are not eligible for MES financial aid awards. Each award description describes the award, notes who is eligible, and indicates how to apply. 

AmeriCorps Service Award 

All AmeriCorps alumni who apply for the AmeriCorps Service Award will receive a tuition waiver of $500 for each full-time term finished and $250 for each term of less than full-time finished. Students may receive this award once a year for a maximum of two awards.

Eligibility:

Students who have completed a term of service of any length as an AmeriCorps member are eligible.

Required to Apply:

  • MES Financial Aid online application submitted March 1.
  • Evidence of having completed a term of service and receiving the full education award for that term of service.  Examples of evidence include: (a) a copy of your AmeriCorps Education Award voucher; or (b) a signed letter from a program supervisor. Members who are not finished with their term at the time of application must submit a letter from a supervisor indicating they are an AmeriCorps member who intends to finish.  Documentation must be emailed to wootang@evergreen.edu.

MES Tuition Waiver

Several awards.  Amounts may be less than, equal to, or more than one quarter’s worth of resident tuition.

Eligibility:

All resident and nonresident (except international) MES students who submit the FAFSA are eligible.

Criteria:

Primary consideration is given to students with financial need, which is determined by their FAFSA information.  Awards are given on a rolling basis after March 1, 2013.

Required to Apply:  

  • FAFSA processed by March 1, 2013 (students who submit after this date will be considered if funds are available).
  • MES Financial Aid application NOT required.

Awards for New MES Students Only

The following awards are available to students applying for Fall 2013.  Each award description describes the award, notes who is eligible, and indicates how to apply. Please note: MES typically has more financial aid for new students than continuing students because we expect you to find funding through other sources, such as internships, in your second year. The program will support you in finding these outside resources throughout the year.

Evergreen Foundation Graduate Fellowship

Two awards equal to $4375 each for incoming nonresident MES students.

Eligibility:

Must be an incoming nonresident MES student.

Criteria:

This is a competitive award based on academic merit and will be chosen by the admissions committee based on the student’s MES application.

Required to Apply:

All nonresident applicants who apply for the program by February 15, 2013 will be considered.  No separate application or FAFSA is required.

MES Academic Achievement Award

Nonresidents: One or more two-year awards equal to one quarter of nonresident tuition per year (for 2012-13, this was $6,686).
Residents: One or more two-year awards equal to one quarter of resident tuition per year (for 2012-13, this was $2,643). 

Eligibility:

Must be an incoming MES student.

Criteria:

This is a competitive award based on academic merit and will be chosen by the admissions committee based on the student’s MES application.

Required to Apply:

All nonresident applicants who apply for the program by February 15, 2013 will be considered.  No separate application or FAFSA is required.

MES International Student Award

One or more two-year awards equal to one quarter or less of nonresident tuition per year.

Eligibility:

Must be an incoming international MES student who submits MES admission application by February 15, 2013.

Criteria:

Primary consideration is given to students with financial need.  Secondary consideration is given to academic merit, which will be determined by the admissions committee based on the student's MES application.

Required to Apply:

The Sara Ann Bilezikian Fellowship

Two years full-time (12 credits/quarter for six quarters) tuition for one incoming MES student.  Amount is based on quarterly resident tuition and does not include fees. For 2012-13, this amount was $7,930.

Criteria:

  • Applicants must demonstrate that they share similar commitments, beliefs and goals to those of Sara Bilezikian, a former Evergreen student.  Sara believed in and was an advocate for peace, human rights, and a safe environment. The recipient will share these beliefs and plan to implement them either through their careers or through the life they will live.
  • Financial need will also be taken into consideration.

Required to Apply:

  • MES Financial Aid online application submitted March 1.
  • US Applicants: FAFSA processed by March 1, 2013.
  • International Applicants: Financial Need Statement* submitted with online application.
  • An essay, not to exceed 500 words, that addresses your past experience with environmental protection, environmental advocacy and social justice; how your studies in the MES program fit into your long-term plans, how completing the program will help achieve your goals; and what you plan to do upon graduation from the program. You will be asked to submit this statement in the online application. Please have your essay ready to cut and paste before you apply.

Awards for Continuing MES Students Only

The following awards are available to continuing students who have not taken thesis credits and started MES in Fall 2012 or before.  Continuing students who have already taken thesis credits are not eligible for MES financial aid awards. Each award description describes the award, notes who is eligible, and indicates how to apply. Please note: MES typically has more financial aid for new students than continuing students because we expect you to find funding through other sources, such as internships, in your second year. The program will support you in finding these outside resources throughout the year.

The Emory Pyle Scholarship

$500 awarded to one MES student.

Eligibility:

This scholarship is open to a second, third, or fourth year MES student who has not taken thesis credits. Preference is given to students who have completed the first three core classes, two electives, and have reached candidacy.

Criteria:

This award is based on academic merit; merit determined by required Merit Essay and MES faculty input.

Required to Apply:

  • MES Financial Aid online application submitted March 1.
  • MES Merit Essay: An essay of no more than 250 words that highlights your accomplishments as an MES student, your growth in the program, and your capacity to reach your professional goals with an MES degree. You will be asked to submit this statement in the online application. The same essay will be used for other awards requiring the MES Merit Essay. Please have your essay ready to cut and paste before you apply.

Evergreen Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship

$1,000 awarded to one MES student.

Eligibility:

This scholarship is open to a second, third, or fourth year MES student who has not taken thesis credits. Preference is given to students who have completed the first three core classes, two electives, and have reached candidacy.

Criteria:

This award is based on academic merit; merit determined by required Merit Essay and MES faculty input.

Required to Apply:

  • MES Financial Aid online application submitted March 1.
  • MES Merit Essay: An essay of no more than 250 words that highlights your accomplishments as an MES student, your growth in the program, and your capacity to reach your professional goals with an MES degree. You will be asked to submit this statement in the online application. The same essay will be used for other awards requiring the MES Merit Essay. Please have your essay ready to cut and paste before you apply.

Evergreen Graduate Endowed Fellowship

Approximately $6500 disbursed among one or more MES students.

Eligibility:

This fellowship is open to a second, third, or fourth year MES student who has not taken thesis credits. Preference is given to students who have completed the first three core classes, two electives, and have reached candidacy.

Criteria:

Primary consideration is given to students with financial need.  Secondary consideration is given to academic merit; merit determined by required Merit Essay and MES faculty input.

Required to Apply:

  • MES Financial Aid online application submitted March 1.
  • US Applicants: FAFSA processed by March 1, 2013.
  • International Applicants: Financial Need Statement* submitted with online application.
  • MES Merit Essay: An essay of no more than 250 words that highlights your accomplishments as an MES student, your growth in the program, and your capacity to reach your professional goals with an MES degree. You will be asked to submit this statement in the online application. The same essay will be used for other awards requiring the MES Merit Essay. Please have your essay ready to cut and paste before you apply. 

*The Financial Need Statement for international students should be no more than 250 words, and should include information you would like the award committee(s) to take into consideration with regard to your financial need.  You will be asked to submit this statement in the online application if you are applying for any need-based aid. Please have your essay ready to cut and paste before you apply.