Costs and Support
Scholarships | Research Assistantships | Federal Loan | Current Tuition | Payment Options | Community Service Grants
MAPW Tuition Remission Scholarships
All students accepted full-time into the MAPW program receive a tuition remission scholarship that generally covers 40-45% or slightly more of the graduate tuition. Students who apply by February 1 for the following fall are also eligible to be considered for additional merit-based aid from the department. The amount of merit-based aid available varies from year to year but can generally increase the total package of financial aid to around 50-60% of tuition. And we guarantee to keep your tuition constant through your three semesters of study even if the university should increase the graduate tuition rate applicable for your third term. [return to top]
Current Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees tend to change annually and generally are not determined until spring for the following fall, but 2012-13 numbers provide a baseline for what to expect in 2013-14. Graduate tuition for full-time students for the 2012-13 academic year, as set by the university, is $36,900 per year or $18,450 per semester. The tuition remission scholarship granted to all MAPW students enrolling full-time in fall 2012 is $19,250 per year or $9,625 per semester, thus reducing the per semester tuition cost to $8,825.
Academic expenses beyond tuition include annual fees totaling about $650 to cover university activities, technology access, and transportation (allowing you unlimited free use of the local bus system 24/7). Books and supplies costs vary depending on a student's specific course choices but are generally in the range of $600 per academic year. Additionally, all graduate students are required to purchase a university-sponsored medical insurance plan or provide proof of current enrollment in an existing medical insurance plan.[return to top]
Tuition and Fees for MLitt in Journalism Students
Students in the IJ option receive the standard tuition remission scholarship made available to all full-time students enrolled in the MAPW program and pay full-time tuition (minus the tuition remission scholarship and any additional merit aid) to Carnegie Mellon for their first three semesters. Tuition for the 4th semester is based on the number of credits undertaken. Because the project and thesis are both done via independent study, tuition for the 4th semester is significantly reduced to about 20% of the full-time rate. [return to top]
Part-Time Enrollment
While full-time enrollment in the MAPW is the norm, the program does include a part-time option that is particularly appropriate for CMU staff members and for other practicing professionals in the region. Applicants considering this option should contact the MAPW program director to discuss their particular situation and determine whether or not part-time study is feasible. One important consideration is that most of the core courses and at least half of the elective courses are offered only during the day, so part-time students must be able to arrange their work schedules to accommodate daytime classes on campus. Part-time students are charged tuition at a unit rate determined by dividing the semester tuition by 36 to get the per unit cost and then multiplying the per unit costs by the number of units for which a student is enrolled. Individual courses are typically 9-12 units (3-4 credits). Full-time study is defined as taking at least 36 units (12 credits, usually 4 courses @ 9 units (3 credits) each. CMU staff members considering the part-time option should check with their departments concerning financial arrangements. [return to top]
Federal Government Loans for Graduate Study
All students accepted into the program full-time are eligible to apply for Federal Stafford Loans to cover living costs and educational expenses, including tuition. There are two types of Federal Stafford Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are based on financial need and do not begin to accrue interest until after graduation. Unsubsidized loans are available and awarded regardless of student or family income. For unsubsidized loans, Interest begins accruing when the loan is awarded and may be paid while the student is in school or deferred until after graduation.
Federal Stafford Loans are made by a lender such as a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association. The Financial Aid Office recommends borrowing through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to avoid delays in loan processing and disbursements.
The maximum amounts available under each type of loan vary from year to year. You can learn about loans and other federal and state financial aid options from Carnegie Mellon's Office of Financial Aid. [return to top]
Payment Options
Carnegie Mellon provides a tuition payment service, TMS, which allows you to pay academic year expenses in 10 interest-free monthly installments. The only cost is a small initial application fee. Additional information on payment options through TMS is available through the indicated link. [return to top]
Research Assistantships
The English Department offers a limited number of Research Assistant (RA) positions each semester. These positions generally involve 6-10 hours of work per week at $11 per hour. RA positions generally involve working with individual faculty members or with department staff on ongoing research, administrative, tutoring, or media-related projects. Available positions are generally advertised to incoming students at the beginning of each fall term. All full-time students are eligible to apply for all positions. [return to top]
Community Service Grants
Students who are work-study eligible (generally all students who have federal loans) and pursue unpaid internships in qualifying non-profit organizations during the summer may also be eligible to apply for Community Service Grants that can help to provide a salary for these unpaid positions. The way the program works is that the grants match employer support on a $3/$1 basis. Thus, if an internship sponsor is able to provide $3 per hour, the matching grant will provide an additional $9. Students considering such positions should consult with the MAPW Program Director for guidance in securing these funds. Additional information on the program is available through the Career Center site. [return to top]