Public administration forms the basis of a society and how a country functions. If you’re interested in studying social sciences, this article is for you. Below, you will discover key information about the best Master’s of Public Administration scholarships that can assist you in funding your graduate degree program.
We’ll fill you in on what you need to know about salaries, scholarship opportunities, educational institutions, financial aid, and more. With this information, you will have the necessary tools to get started on your career goals in public administration.
What Is a Master’s of Public Administration?
A master’s of public administration is a graduate degree focused on public service. Workers in this field are essential to the structure of a state or nation. This degree will prepare you to work as a civil servant for the government, as a policy analyst, or for a nonprofit organization.
How Much Does a Master’s of Public Administration Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition for a master’s degree is $11,673 per year. The cost can vary depending on several factors. For example, the University of New Hampshire charges local students $785 per credit hour while out-of-state students pay $865.
On the other hand, schools like Stanford University offer graduate programs starting at $1,207 per unit. Given these factors, students can expect to pay up to $47,080 to complete their master’s degree.
Master’s of Public Administration Salary: How Much Can You Earn?
According to PayScale, a professional with a Master’s of Public Administration earns an average salary of $68,000 per year, but figures may vary based on the job type. For example, a budget manager can make $80,983 per year, while a policy analyst has an average salary of $60,483.
Is a Master’s of Public Administration Worth It?
You’ll enjoy studying public administration if you’re interested in working for a government agency or nonprofit organization. Plus, careers in the field are well-paid, especially for those who are willing to pursue graduate study.
However, the financial aid opportunities available to you will vary based on the requirements of the organizations that provide scholarships. If you focus on what you’re good at and find scholarships that are relevant to you, you’ll be more likely to do well in your interviews for those scholarships.
How to Pay for Your Public Administration Graduate Degree with Master’s of Public Administration Scholarships
To get a Master’s of Public Administration scholarship, you must be a full-time student hoping to pursue a career in public service. Before applying, you should do some research on public administration roles so that you can explain to the organization offering the scholarship why you’re one of the deserving students.
To qualify for a scholarship, you will likely need to provide proof that you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree and six hours of coursework toward your master’s degree. You will also need to submit your official transcripts, cover letter, and letters of recommendation.
Partial scholarships are one-off payments that cover some of your tuition costs, but full scholarships are more common for Master’s of Public Administration students. A full scholarship will cover all the expenses associated with your studies, including tuition, books, fees, and possibly even living costs.
Best Master’s of Public Administration Scholarships: Overview
| Organization | Scholarship Name | How Much It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| American Society for Public Administration | Walter W. Mode Scholarship | $1,500 |
| Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education | Alaska Performance Scholarship | $2,378-$4,755 |
| American University | Key Executive MPA Scholarship | $6,670 |
| Colorado Government Finance Officers Association | The George A. Nielsen Public Investor Scholarship | $2,500 |
| Government Finance Officers Association | Goldberg Miller Public Finance Scholarship | $20,000 |
| Government Finance Officers Association | Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship | $10,000 |
| National Academy of Public Administration | The Herbert Roback Scholarship | $7,500 |
| Portland State University | Michael Lindberg Scholarship | $2,000 |
| The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation | Truman Scholarship | $30,000 |
| US Department of State | Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship | $42,000 |
Best Master’s of Public Administration Scholarships: In Detail
Walter W. Mode Scholarship | American Society for Public Administration
This scholarship is specifically for students who want to pursue graduate school for a public service master’s degree. When applying, students must demonstrate their commitment to public service, provide various official documents of their academic record, and outline any community service, American Society of Public Administrators involvement, and any other relevant information.
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education | Alaska Performance Scholarship
The Alaska Performance Scholarship is awarded to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The awarded amount varies depending on your GPA, as well as your ACT and SAT scores. Students with a 2.5 GPA are awarded $2,378, students with a 3.0 are awarded $3,566, and students with a 3.5 or higher are awarded $4,755.
Key Executive MPA Scholarship | American University
To receive this scholarship, students need to be enrolled in the Master’s of Public Affairs program either online or on-campus. They’re also required to have a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average (GPA) or 3.00 or higher. Students who are applying for this scholarship should be able to demonstrate a passion and potential for public service and leadership.
Eligible applicants can receive this scholarship on a recurring basis based on funding and as long as they maintain a GPA of at least 3.7. Once you’ve submitted a scholarship application, it is evaluated against the Key Executive MPA Program Values, which primarily honors leadership potential, commitment to apply knowledge to the workplace, and a passion for learning, public service, and growth.
George A. Nielsen Public Investor Scholarship | Colorado Government Finance Officers Association
The main advantage of this scholarship is that it helps students find job opportunities in government offices. If you’ve been employed at a local, state, or national public organization, you are eligible for this scholarship to get your Master’s in Public Administration.
While getting your public administration degree with this scholarship, you can choose to specialize in public finance, finance, or business administration. Students who get this scholarship will have to maintain excellent academic performance.
Goldberg Miller Public Finance Scholarship | Government Finance Officers Association
Qualified applicants will have all of their university expenses covered. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFAO) oversees public finance officials in the US and Canada, so you’ll have a strong network to draw from as you look for a job after graduation.
To qualify for this scholarship, students need to be pursuing a graduate degree full-time. The degree focus isn’t strict but must be strongly related to state or government finance. GFAO also requires applicants to include a letter of recommendation from someone who can attest to their commitment to public service.
Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship | Government Finance Officers Association
Social inclusion in the education system is the essence of this scholarship. If you’re an outstanding student who also belongs to an ethnic minority group, you could qualify for this scholarship. The student who wins this benefit will have to focus their studies on public resource management. Any minority student can get this scholarship.
To qualify for this scholarship, prospective students can be enrolled either part-time or full-time but must be studying public administration, accounting, finance, political science, economics, or business administration. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from someone who can verify their commitment to serving the public.
The Herbert Roback Scholarship | National Academy of Public Administration
If you are registered as a full-time graduate student in public administration, public service, or political science, this scholarship opportunity is for you. With this scholarship, full-time graduate students will also receive monetary assistance and an invitation to the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) annual meeting.
Application requirements are straightforward. You must submit your undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a biographical resume, two letters of recommendation from professors, and a 500-word statement describing your professional interest. NAPA rewards academic excellence and supports the next generation of public administrators.
Michael Lindberg Scholarship | State University
This scholarship is for public administration or urban studies students. Only students with strong academic records who are in need of financial assistance can secure this scholarship. Underrepresented students are also a priority for this scholarship, so female students and people from racial minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be at least four-year residents of Oregon.
Truman Scholarship | The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
This highly competitive scholarship is aimed at college juniors and seniors who plan to obtain a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. The goal of the Truman Scholarship is to train the most qualified students so they’re ready for high-level positions in the US government.
The main advantage of this scholarship is that it gives students access to prestigious leadership programs and government internships. After graduating, students can expect to have many job opportunities in the public sector.
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Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship | US Department of State
If you like diplomacy and conflict resolution, check out this scholarship program focused on international affairs. This fellowship covers the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and books. To qualify, for the fellowship, applicants must have a 3.2 GPA or higher, be an undergraduate student seeking a graduate degree program in a foreign service field, and be a US citizen.
Scholarship recipients are also placed in two internships. The first internship takes place in the US Department of State headquarters in Washington, DC. The second internship placement occurs the summer after graduation and takes place overseas at a US consulate or embassy. As part of the scholarship program, travel expenses are covered.
How to Pay for Your Public Administration Graduate Degree Without Scholarships: Alternative Financial Aid Options
If you do not meet the academic standards and requirements to obtain a scholarship but you don’t have sufficient financial resources to pay for a graduate program, there are several alternatives available to you. Below are four options you can check out before starting your Master’s of Public Administration program.
Departmental Funding
Students who choose this option will work as graduate teaching assistants (GTA) in a specific university department. If the student’s tuition is $16,000 per year, the student will have to work an equivalent amount of hours spread out over the number of semesters it takes to earn their degree.
Federal Funding
If you do not receive scholarships or don’t qualify, you may still qualify for a federal government grant. These grants are based on financial need and do not need to be repaid. Students interested in partial or full government funding can easily apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) website.
Loans
Taking out student loans is a common way to pay for a master’s degree. You may want to take out a small loan if you’ve already qualified for a partial scholarship or have received some grants that don’t cover your full tuition.
If you do take out a loan, keep the US Public Service Loan Forgiveness program in mind. Under this plan, your college loan debt will be forgiven if you are employed full-time by a qualifying agency and have already made 120 qualifying monthly payments over 10 years.
Should You Apply for Master’s of Public Administration Scholarships?
Obtaining a scholarship to study for your master’s in public administration will put you on track to land a job at a nonprofit or for the government. If you are interested in resource administration, budget management, and designing public policies for social welfare, a scholarship can help you reach your public administration goals by funding your education.
Master’s of Public Administration Scholarships FAQ
With this degree, you will be able to get a job in many government departments. In addition, public administration graduates can also seek work in the private sector in roles such as human resource managers or as legal counselors.
Some of the many jobs available in local, state, and federal administration include business administrator, event coordinator, executive assistant, foreign correspondent, foreign service officer, government relations manager, and human resource specialist.
The highest-paying administrative jobs include business administrator, freight agent, facilities manager, administrator, contact administrator, coding manager, senior executive assistant, and database administrator.
If you study public administration, you’ll hone your leadership and management skills while preparing for a role in a government or social services agency. You’ll also be able to build your professional network and can get the opportunity to work abroad for an NGO or as part of the US State Department. Public administration opens many opportunities for students.
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