MPA Costs and Financial Aid
See detailed tuition and fee information and calculate your tuition costs.
Financial Aid
To stay eligible for federal aid, you must take at least 4 credits per quarter. For financial aid purposes:
- Full-time = 8 credits per quarter
- Part-time = 4 credits 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.
MPA-Sponsored Aid
We offer a variety of tuition waivers, scholarships, work-study, and other types of aid, including both need-based and merit-based aid.
- For any aid sponsored by the MPA program, you must submit an MPA Sponsored Aid Application online. Each type of aid has its own submission criteria; read the award pages below, by clicking on each award title, for the requirements for each Sponsored Aid application that you are interested in. (2021 Sponsored Aid Applications are Now Closed. 2022 Sponsored Aid Applications will Open Fall 2021)
- For need-based aid, you also must submit your FAFSA before February 1 each year (Allow 3-5 days prior for processing!)
| Title | Criteria |
|---|---|
| AmeriCorps Education Award Amount: Up to one quarter of resident tuition |
Commitment to community service through AmeriCorps. (No FAFSA required) Requirements: Essay (100 words), Letter of Recommendation, AmeriCorp Service Letter |
| Foundation Graduate Fellowships Amount: $8,750 distributed among several applicants |
Completion of “Basic Info” section of MPA Sponsored Aid Application online form required. (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) |
| Graduate Fellowship Trust Amount: $7,339 distributed among several applicants |
Commitment to continued intellectual and professional development. (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) Requirements: Essay (100 words) |
| Hearst Native American Scholarship Amount: If available, up to $3,081 distributed among one or more applicants |
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 required) Requirements: Essay (100 words) |
| John Walker Scholarship Amount: $400 to one applicant |
Female applicant, preference given to women of color and/or women over thirty who have demonstrated a commitment to continued intellectual and professional development and financial need. (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) Requirements: Essay (100 words) |
| Judge Carol Fuller Graduate Fellowship Amount: $1,400 to one applicant |
Past experience or future plans related to helping young children living in or near poverty conditions. (No FAFSA required) Requirements: Essay (100 words) |
| MPA Merit Award - Public & Nonprofit Administration and Public Policy Concentrations Amount: Varies depending on funding |
One or more awards for students in the Public & Nonprofit Administration and Public Policy concentrations who demonstrate excellence in their MPA application (new admits) or Core coursework (continuing students). Completion of “Basic Info” section of MPA Sponsored Aid Application online form required. (No FAFSA required) |
| MPA Merit Award - Tribal Governance Concentration Amount: Varies depending on funding |
One or more awards for students in the Tribal Governance concentration who demonstrate excellence in their MPA application (new admits) or Core coursework (continuing students). Completion of “Basic Info” section of MPA Sponsored Aid Application online form required. (No FAFSA required) |
| MPA Tribal Program Endowment Amount: $2,900 distributed among one or more applicants |
Tribal Governance concentration students who show great potential to use their education to benefit tribal or indigenous communities and financial need. (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) Requirements: Essay (100 words) |
| Sara Ann Bilezikian Sustainability Fellowship Amount: Approximately $8,765 per year for 2 years, to one applicant |
2 year award: approximately $8,765 per year for 2 years will be awarded to one student admitted in even years who is studying sustainability. (No FAFSA required) Requirements: Essay (250 words), Resume, Letter of Recommendation |
| Soule Family Fellowship Amount: $2,375 to one applicant |
Commitment to students doing work in the area of environmental studies and/or public health (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) Requirements: Essay (100 words) |
| Sue Crystal Memorial Fellowship Amount: Approximately $500 to $1000 per applicant, for up to three applicants |
NOT offered in 2021. Awarded in Spring 2022 through separate award process. Funding for final Capstone projects. Eligible students must be enrolled in the Tribal Governance "Capstone" course and be in good academic standing. (No FAFSA required) |
| Tuition Waiver Non-Resident Amount: Up to 25% of non-resident tuition per award, for several out-of-state residents |
Primary consideration to non-resident students who demonstrate excellence in their MPA application (new admits) or Core coursework (continuing students) + financial need. Completion of “Basic Info” section of MPA Sponsored Aid Application online form required. (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) |
| Tuition Waiver Washington State Resident Amount: Awards typically range from approximately $500 to $1,500 per award; for several Washington State residents |
Primary consideration to Washington State resident students who demonstrate excellence in their MPA application (new admits) or Core coursework (continuing students) + financial need. Completion of “Basic Info” section of MPA Sponsored Aid Application online form required. (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) |
| Work Study Graduate Assistant Award Amount: $15/hour part-time employment, for one or more students |
Demonstrated academic excellence in public administration coursework and the ability to perform high quality research + financial need. (FAFSA received by Feb. 1 priority deadline required) |