Tuition and Financial Aid

The Fletcher School offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to online students each semester. Applicants are reviewed for a scholarship and program admission at the same time. A separate scholarship application is not required.

The following organizations provide additional information about external scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA): Fellowships and scholarships related to graduate study in international affairs
• College Board: A scholarship database based on the College Board’s Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs
• Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA): Financial planning resources and loans available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• Open Education Database (OEDB): A large database of grants and scholarships
• Fastweb: Comprehensive student financial and scholarship information

Earning a degree online while working allows you to apply your new skills in real time. As a result, many employers are willing to support continuing education. Reach out to your human resources department to see what kind of support your company offers. An enrollment advisor can also advise you on the most effective ways to approach this conversation.

Service members, spouses, and dependents may be eligible to apply for military education benefits. Visit the US Department of Veterans Affairs for information.

If you qualify for 100% of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit (Chapter 33), you are eligible to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Fletcher is proud to support the program and offers a Yellow Ribbon scholarship award of $8,000 annually.

For any veterans or active duty considering the program, please check out the student newspaper, The Tufts Daily, for an article about veterans in the GBA.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal loans through the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). To apply for these loans, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Use your FSA ID, which can be created on the FSA website, and add the Tufts University school code: 002219.

• Federal Direct Loans
  • Amount and fees: Most graduate-level students are potentially eligible to receive up to $10,500 per term with the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Learn more about graduate loan eligibility.
  • Interest: The current interest and loan origination rates can be found on the interest rates and fees page of the U.S. Department of Education website.
  • Repayment: Standard repayment is 10 years and begins six months after graduation, or when you withdraw or drop to less than part-time enrollment. You are not required to pay while in school, however, if you choose to, there is no penalty to prepay. Learn more about repayment timelines.
• Graduate PLUS Loans
  • Amount and fees: The Graduate PLUS Loan requires credit check approval. If approved, you can borrow up to the cost of attendance as determined by the school.
  • Interest: The current interest and loan origination rates can be found on the interest rates and fees page of the U.S. Department of Education website.
  • Repayment: Standard repayment is 10 years. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed but may be deferred while you are enrolled at least part time.

Several banks and private lenders offer educational loans for financing graduate school education. Most private lenders require a U.S. co-signer for international students. Detailed information on alternative private loans can be found on the Tufts University Student Financial Services website.

For more information, contact the Tufts Office of Student Financial Services at 617-627-2000 or studentservices@tufts.edu.

If you have questions about financial aid, please see the Student Financial Services Checklist and the FAQs page.