Graduate Funding

As a public institution in Virginia, George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government is one of the top values in education, offering a world-class education at affordable tuition rates with many opportunities for financial support. 

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Merit-Based Scholarships

The Schar School offers a select number of merit-based scholarships for high-achieving students with strong academic achievements. Scholarship decisions are made at the same time as admissions decisions, and students who wish to be considered need to indicate their interest in merit-based scholarships on their graduate application. No separate financial application is necessary. 

We highly encourage students to apply by our priority application dates for your specific program. However, applicants who have requested scholarship consideration will still be considered on a case-by-case basis throughout the application term. 

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Foreign Affairs Fellowship Programs

​​​​​The Rangel and Pickering Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State.

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Opportunity for McNair Scholars

The Schar School of Policy and Government offers a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) position for students who have participated in the McNair Scholars Program.

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PhD Funding

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Full-time PhD students are eligible for graduate research assistantships that offer tuition remission for three courses and an annual stipend in exchange for 20 hours per week of research with a Schar School faculty member. To be considered, please indicate your interest on your application.

Graduate Inclusion & Access Scholarship

This George Mason University scholarship, awarded on a competitive basis, is available to first-generation college students from underrepresented groups who are pursuing a doctoral degree and have demonstrated financial need. Read about this scholarship.