MPA Costs and Financial Aid

Evergreen’s MPA program is one of the most affordable programs in the country at under $13,000 a year for in-state residents, attending full-time.

Evergreen's MPA program is 60 credits and can be completed in as little as two years.

See the Tuition and Fees page for details, including tuition deadlines.

Financial Aid

To remain eligible for federal aid, you must take at least 4 credits per quarter. For financial aid purposes:

Part-time = 4-7 credits per quarter
Full-time = 8 credits or more per quarter

Federal Loans

Full-time MPA students typically qualify for up to $20,500 in unsubsidized federal loans per academic year. Find out how to apply for federal student aid or other student loans on the Financial Aid website.

Military, Veterans, and Dependents

The Veteran's Resource Center will help you receive all the benefits you have earned through your service. Please contact them directly for questions and support.

MPA Scholarships & Sponsored Aid Awards

Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are open until April 14, 2023.

We offer a variety of sponsored aid opportunities: tuition waivers, scholarships, and need-based or merit-based aid.

New students must submit their application to the MPA program by the Priority Deadline of February 1st to be eligible for our scholarships and sponsored aid.

Students must be admitted to the College and activate their new student account to access the scholarship portal, so it is critical that new students complete the application for admission prior to February 1st.

To be considered for MPA sponsored aid, you must apply via the AwardSpring scholarship application portal using your Evergreen username and password.

View and Apply for MPA Sponsored Aid

Overview of MPA Sponsored Aid Opportunities

Title	Criteria
Alumni and Friends Fellowship Amount: $2,000 to one recipient in 2023-24	This award will be made to an MPA student who has a demonstrated commitment to community service. Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA must be received by February 1st. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
AmeriCorps Education Award Amount: Varies with funding, but no more than one quarter of resident tuition. Maximum of nine recipients in 2023-24	Demonstrated commitment to community service through one year or more of AmeriCorps service. No FAFSA or WASFA required. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application, essay (250 words), letter of recommendation, AmeriCorps service letter
Foundation Graduate Fellowships Amount: $6500 each to two recipients in 2023-24	Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA must be received by February 1st.
Graduate Fellowship Trust Amount: $1303 each to four recipients in 2023-24	Academic merit, financial need, and commitment to continued intellectual and professional development. Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA must be received by February 1st. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
Judge Carol Fuller Graduate Fellowship Amount: $1612 each to two recipients in 2023-24	Awarded to an MPA student with past experience or future plans related to helping young children living in or near poverty conditions. No FAFSA or WASFA required. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
MPA Merit Award Amount: $1312 each to eight recipients in 2023-24	One or more awards for MPA students who demonstrate academic excellence in their MPA application (new admits) or Core coursework (continuing students). No FAFSA or WASFA required. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application
MPA Tribal Program Endowment Amount: $3,100 distributed among one or more recipients in 2023-24	No FAFSA or WASFA required. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
Washington State Employee Tuition Waivers	Must consult with MPA program prior to applying. Spaces are limited and eligibility must be verified. Employees of The Evergreen State College, other Washington state government agencies, and public K-12 staff may be eligible for one or more tuition waiver programs offered by The Evergreen State College. Information about eligibility criteria, restrictions, and application process and materials is available through registering with a waiver. Learn more at https://www.evergreen.edu/registration/registering-waiver

Offered for Students in 2024-25 Academic Year (even numbered admission years)
Sara Ann Bilezikian Sustainability Fellowship Amount: Not available for 2023-24. Approximately $12,000 per year for 2 years, to one applicant 2022-23/2023-24	2 year award made to an MPA student admitted in an even-numbered year who is studying sustainability. No FAFSA or WASFA is required. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application, essay (250 words), resume, letter of recommendation
Senator John McCoy Scholarship Amount: Not available for 2023-24. $1,000 per year for two years for one student enrolled in the Tribal Governance cohort	This is a 2-year award that is given in even-numbered years to a Tribal Governance cohort student with a demonstrated commitment to students doing work in the area of environmental studies and/or public health. Preference is given to Washington State residents. No FAFSA or WASFA is required. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application, resume, and essay (250 words)
Soule Family Fellowship Amount: Not available for 2023-24. $2,100 to one applicant	Awarded every other year to an MPA student with a demonstrated commitment to students doing work in the area of environmental studies and/or public health. Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA must be received by February 1st. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
Sue Crystal Memorial Fellowship Amount: Awarded in Spring 2024	Awarded in the winter quarter of even-numbered years to Tribal Governance cohort students with a demonstrated need of funding for their upcoming MPA Capstone project. Recipients must be in good academic standing. No FAFSA or WAFSA is required. Application materials: Application process will be announced when this award is available.

Offered when funds are available to MPA Students
Hearst Foundation Endowed Scholarship Amount: Not available at this time.	First priority: Native American students in Master in Teaching program. For any remaining funds: American Indian, Alaska Native or other tribal affiliation, and commitment to the education of Native American youth and commitment to a Native American community. No FAFSA or WASFA required. Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and Essay (250 words)

Reminder for Newly Admitted Students:

To be eligible to receive a scholarship, you must be admitted to the College, so it is critical that new students complete the application for admission prior to February 1st. New students must activate their student account before they can access the scholarship application portal.

24 hours after you are admitted to the College, you will get an email with instructions on how to activate your student account. Instructions on how to activate your student account are also available on the Help Wiki. 24 hours after you have activated your student account, you will be able to access the scholarship portal. Contact us if you can’t access the scholarship application after activating your student account.