SIPA & Columbia University Funding

For all of our 21-month program options including Master of International Affairs, Master of Public Administration, MPA in Development Practice. To be considered for SIPA fellowships/scholarships, applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding when filing out the SIPA admission application and submit all required materials by the applicable program deadline. 

Scholarship decisions are communicated each year in March. Awards are based on a holistic review of merit, financial need, career experience, and the overall strength of the admitted cohort. Approximately one-third of admitted students receive a scholarship, with award amounts varying by academic year. year.

See Assistantship Opportunities for more information about additional funding available through these positions.

See MIA & MPA Scholarship Breakdown: Spring Accelerated (16-Month) vs. Traditional (21-Month) as scholarship award structures differ by program track.

Scholarship opportunities are available for the MPA in Economic Policy Management program. To be considered for SIPA fellowships/scholarships, applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding when filing out the SIPA admission application and submit all required materials by the applicable program deadline.

Scholarship decisions are communicated each year in January. Awards are based on a holistic review of merit, financial need, career experience, and the overall strength of the admitted cohort. Approximately one-third of admitted students receive a scholarship, with award amounts varying by academic year. year. For the MPA-EPM program, any scholarship awarded is applied toward tuition and divided evenly across three semesters.

Scholarship opportunities are available for the MPA in Global Leadership program. To be considered for SIPA fellowships/scholarships, applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding when filing out the SIPA admission application and submit all required materials by the applicable program deadline.

Scholarship decisions are communicated each year in January. Awards are based on a holistic review of merit, financial need, career experience, and the overall strength of the admitted cohort. Approximately one-third of admitted students receive a scholarship, with award amounts varying by academic year. year. For the MPA-GL program, any scholarship awarded is applied toward tuition and divided across three semesters. Because the summer term is condensed, a greater portion of the scholarship is applied toward fall and spring tuition than toward summer tuition.

Scholarship opportunities are available for the MPA in Environmental Science and Policy program. To be considered for SIPA fellowships/scholarships, applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding when filing out the SIPA admission application and submit all required materials by the applicable program deadline.

Scholarship decisions are communicated each year in January. Awards are based on a holistic review of merit, financial need, career experience, and the overall strength of the admitted cohort. Approximately one-third of admitted students receive a scholarship, with award amounts varying by academic year. year. For the MPA-ESP program, any scholarship awarded is applied toward tuition and divided evenly across three semesters.

Scholarship opportunities are available for the Executive MPA program. To be considered for SIPA fellowships/scholarships, applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding when filing out the SIPA admission application and submit all required materials by the applicable program deadline.

Scholarship decisions are communicated on a rolling basis. If eligible, students may receive a one-time scholarship for their first semester only; SIPA scholarships for this program are not renewable, and there is no additional scholarship application process beyond the first semester.

The Public Service Scholarship reflects SIPA’s belief in the transformative power of public leadership. This scholarship is now open to both domestic and international students who are committed to advancing the public good through government, nonprofit, international, and cross-sector work. Through this award, SIPA seeks to invest in principled, purpose-driven leaders and inspire a lifelong commitment to meaningful public service. Please see our Public Service Scholarship page for all details. 

How to Apply: To be considered for the Public Service Scholarship, applicants must submit the SIPA admissions application and submit their essay as well as letters of recommendation by the applicable program deadline. by the applicable program deadline, select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding, and complete the required supplemental essay explaining their public service motivation, experience, career goals, and why they are a strong candidate for the award. Applicants should also provide letters of recommendation from current or former public sector supervisors, colleagues, or others who can speak to their public service experience and leadership potential.

Eligible candidates must be pursuing a master's degree with a specialization in international conflict resolution or international organization & UN studies, or a concentration in human rights & humanitarian policy or international security policy. Fellows are expected to attend and participate in programming and events sponsored by the Kent Global Leadership program (webinars, guest lectures, panel discussions, networking events, etc.).  The Director may also invite them to take part in other related activities or research projects.  For more information on the Kent Global Leadership program.

In 1,000 words or less, please provide a brief statement that explains why you are interested in the Kent Global Leadership Program, and how your educational and professional experience and aspirations contribute to the overall advancement of international conflict resolution and peacemaking.

How to Apply: To be considered for the Kent Global Leadership Fellowship, please submit an admissions application. Applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding on the SIPA admissions application and submit their essay and admission application by the applicable program deadline. 

The International Fellows Program is a selective, two-semester seminar open to students across Columbia University’s graduate degree programs. Fellows join a diverse cohort of students with varied academic, professional, and international backgrounds to examine the changing global order and the political, economic, social, and intellectual transformations shaping the world today.

Students selected for the International Fellows Program receive a stipend and participate in a year-long curriculum focused on understanding the origins of the current international system and the emerging challenges facing global leaders. Weekly seminars are supplemented by study trips to Washington, D.C., and the United Nations, where fellows engage with senior policymakers, diplomats, legislators, journalists, and leaders of non-governmental organizations.

How to Apply: In 300 words or less on the admissions application, please explain what makes you a strong candidate for the International Fellows Program. In addition applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding on the SIPA admissions application and submit their essay and admission application by the applicable program deadline. 

Applicants will be required to present a paper on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The successful candidate will be chosen by select members of the SIPA faculty.  Papers are expected to be 5,000-6,000 words and will be evaluated on: 1) structure, 2) style and clear presentation, and 3) original research. Only one entry per student is permitted.

How to Apply: To be considered for the Bapsy Marchioness of Winchester Award, applicants please submit an admissions application. Applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding on the SIPA admissions application and submit their essay and admission application by the applicable program deadline. 

Submitted papers should be approximately 15 to 20 pages in length, and should under no circumstances exceed 6,000 words.  Only one entry per student is permitted.  Entries may be either prescriptive (that is offering proposals for advancing international peace and understanding) or descriptive (presenting a causal analysis of the conditions, contributing factors, or causes of peace).

How to Apply: To be considered for the Dasturdaza Doctor Jal Pavry Award for International Peace and Understanding award, please submit an admissions application. Applicants must select “Yes” when asked if they wish to be considered for funding on the SIPA admissions application and submit their essay and admission application by the applicable program deadline. 

SIPA scholarships are open to all incoming applicants, regardless of citizenship. Awards are based on a holistic review of merit, financial need, career experience, and the strength of each admitted cohort. All admitted applicants are considered for applicable scholarships at the time of admission if they indicate on their admissions application that they wish to be considered for funding and submit all required materials by the applicable program deadline. U.S. citizens and permanent residents must complete a FAFSA for the relevant academic year.

Most scholarships awarded to admitted applicants in SIPA’s two-year, full-time programs are renewable, provided recipients meet the academic standards outlined in their initial award notification and in SIPA’s academic requirements for financial aid (see Academic Requirements for Financial Aid below). The amount and duration of each award are stated in the initial funding offer. Unless otherwise noted, awards are made for the full academic year and divided equally between the fall and spring semesters. Students who receive a two-year renewable scholarship do not need to reapply for that award, though they may apply for assistantships in their second year.

SIPA’s funding is made available from a number of sources, including gifts from many generous donors who want to help SIPA students succeed. These gifts and endowed funds help SIPA fund many of our awards. Some students’ scholarships may be later designated with the name of a donor who helped make their award possible, at which time the recipient may be asked to provide additional information about themselves to share with the donor.

The Yellow Ribbon Program is an initiative authorized by the Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 (the Post-9/11 GI Bill ® - GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official US government website. Educational institutions provide eligible student veterans or service members on active duty with a partial tuition waiver or grant, which is matched by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. This program supplements the base educational benefits provided by the Post-9/11 GI Bill. To be eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program, you must be a US veteran or active duty service member eligible for the maximum level (100%) of benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill according to your VA Certificate of Eligibility. If you  would like to learn more about eligibility for the Yellow Ribbon program, please visit the GI Bill website.

SIPA is committed to honoring those who have served our country by being one of seventeen schools at Columbia University participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program. SIPA will make every attempt to fund every eligible candidate but cannot guarantee that, so funding will be on a first-come, first served basis. Admitted applicants who identify as eligible for Yellow Ribbon will be notified of the application availability; recipients need not reapply for subsequent years. Award amounts are determined and impacted by:

• available resources.
• number of eligible students enrolling.
• individual students' enrollment status.
• an individual's receipt of other financial aid

YELLOW RIBBON APPLICATION: APPLY HERE

*Please complete the application no later than close of business, on June 15.

SIPA Assistantships are only available to second year students in the full-time two-year degree programs.  Students who wish to be considered for these positions must submit the Assistantship application to the Office of Student Affairs by the deadline, which is during the prior spring semester.  An Assistantship information session is held early each spring semester, after which the application becomes available. Compensation for Assistantships is in the form of salary, which is potentially taxable income.

Students are selected for assistantships (Teaching Assistant, Reader, Program Assistant, and Student Assistant) on the basis of their ability to perform the duties of the positions, which may include teaching, research, computing support, or other tasks. Appointments may be for one or two semesters. All applicants must be in good academic standing (3.0 cumulative GPA or higher) and enrolled full-time to be eligible; such standing does not, however, guarantee selection. 

Students with Assistantships are paid twice monthly, on the University's normal payroll schedule.  For more information about SIPA Assistantships, including the application process, job descriptions, salaries and job placements, please click here for more information from the Office of Student Affairs.

All scholarship recipients must meet SIPA's standards for satisfactory academic progress in order to be renewed.  All applicants for assistantships, most student loans, and work study must meet these standards as well:

• Full-time enrollment per term.
• A cumulative grade point average in courses that meet degree requirements of at least 3.0;
• Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 67% of all credits attempted;
• A pace for completion of the degree in no more than 150% of the published time frame normally required (for example, no more than 3 years for a 2 year program);
• Academic progress is reviewed on an annual basis;
• Financial aid applicants not meeting these standards typically have the right to appeal, and the Office of Financial Aid will provide information on that process when applicable.
• Any student taking a leave of absence, including a medical leave, that exceeds two terms or one academic year will forfeit the scholarship eligibility originally awarded in their offer of admission.

Your scholarship does not automatically carry over with your deferral. Please note that if you were awarded scholarship funding, that funding does not automatically carry over to a future term if you defer your enrollment. If you wish to request a deferral, you must first submit your enrollment form and required deposit by your response deadline. After that, you must submit the deferral request form for review.

If your deferral request is approved for the MIA, MPA, EMPA, or MPA-ESP program, you will be required to submit a non-refundable deferral deposit of $1,000 within 10–15 business days of approval.

If your deferral request is approved for the summer MPA-EPM or MPA-GL program, you will be required to submit a non-refundable deferral deposit of $2,000 within 10–15 business days of approval.

The deadline to request a deferral for the MIA/MPA program is July 1, 2025.

Please note that submitting a deferral request does not guarantee approval. All requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

If you are awarded a scholarship as a Spring Accelerated student, you must maintain full-time enrollment each term just like students in our traditional 21-month program. The additional summer term in the Accelerated track is what creates a difference in how scholarships are distributed.

• 21-Month Program: Scholarships are split evenly across four terms. For example, a student starting in Fall 2026 would receive scholarship funds in Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Fall 2027, and Spring 2028.
• 16-Month Spring Accelerated Program: Scholarships are also split evenly across four terms, but the terms are Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027.

If a student receives a SIPA scholarship in combination with an external sponsorship or outside scholarship, and the total funding exceeds the approved Cost of Attendance for the academic year, SIPA reserves the right to adjust or reduce the SIPA scholarship accordingly. This adjustment ensures compliance with federal Cost of Attendance regulations and institutional financial-aid policies. This policy applies to all students (domestic and international) across all SIPA degree programs.

All grant aid (scholarships, fellowships) and any amounts received representing payments for teaching and research, which exceed the cost of tuition and required fees, books, and related classroom expenses are potentially subject to US income tax. Compliance with US income tax laws requires that in order to receive funding from the University (fellowship or teaching or research appointment), the student's record (registration and bills) must reflect a US Social Security number. A limited amount of aid is disbursed in the form of a stipend paid directly to the student instead of being credited to their account. There will be no taxes withheld from such stipends paid to US citizens or permanent residents, but taxes will be deducted from stipend payments made to most international students. The student is responsible for accurately reporting stipend amounts on federal and/or state income tax returns and for making tax payments if appropriate.  More information about the tax treaties that govern stipend tax withholding for international students can be found in IRS Publication 901 or at this page from the IRS website.

Like all earnings from employment, the salary received for assistantships or Work Study is potentially taxable.

All students who receive a fellowship stipend (an award paid directly to the student rather than being credited towards tuition charges) and/or assistantship salary should file a US income tax return for each calendar year. The SIPA Financial Aid Office cannot offer tax assistance or advice. We suggest that you consult a tax professional for further information or assistance (international students may want to contact their consulate). For additional information on the taxability of various types of financial aid, see the IRS Publication 970.

International students receiving any kind of stipend or salary from SIPA or Columbia University (including salary from an Assistantship) should review the information from the International Students and Scholars Office regarding taxation and obtaining a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer ID.