Financial Aid & Scholarships
Affording graduate education can be a major concern. Applicants to the Nonprofit/NGO Leadership Program may apply for financial aid to assist in covering the costs of the program. Need and merit-based financial assistance will be offered to recruit and nurture leadership talent for transformation in the nonprofit and non-governmental organization (NGO) sphere. Financial support is limited and financial assistance awarded covers only part of the overall cost of the program. Generally, we do not grant full tuition scholarships.
Serious candidates are expected to find independent sources of financing their costs for attending the program (e.g. parental contribution if available, personal savings, private funds, student loans, other types of loans, or outside sources of scholarship). U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for both the Perkins Loan and the Stafford Loan (these are the two main federal loan programs for graduate students). The Perkins Loan is for students with exceptional need and the maximum annual amount that can be borrowed is $6,000 for graduate students. Starting July 1, 2007, the maximum amount of Stafford Loans available to graduate students will be $20,500 a year (up from the current maximum of $18,500). Therefore, American graduate students can borrow up to $26,500 annually to cover the cost of their education.
For International students (those entering on a J-1 or F-1 student visa), we recommend you begin to think about ways you can cover the costs of the program. While U.S. federally secured student loans are not available to International students, many applicants have been creative in finding the necessary funding to meet their needs while attending school in the United States (e.g. through scholarship or fellowships offered in their native country, international scholarships, loans, personal savings, and support from the business community).