Funding Your Future: Fellowships & Financial Aid
Earning a world-class degree from GPS is a life-changing investment. We are committed to making your education accessible and affordable. Through generous merit-based fellowships, hands-on graduate assistantships, need-based aid and prestigious external partnerships, we help you build a personalized funding package.
Explore diverse financing opportunities below to see how we support your global career ambitions.
UC San Diego & GPS Institutional Funding
Merit Awards
The GPS Admissions Committee evaluates every complete application submitted by Jan. 15 for fellowship awards. Fellowships range from nearly full support for the program to awards that cover fees or other expenses.
Graduate Student Researchers (GSR)
GSR appointments may be awarded at various percentage levels. Appointments greater than 25 percent time are entitled to a tuition and fee remission.
Teaching Assistantships, Readers and Tutors
Students appointed to a minimum of 25 percent time for the quarter are also eligible for graduate student health insurance remission and a partial university-fee remission. Our students serve as teaching assistants and readers in academic departments throughout the UC San Diego campus.
Joseph Naiman Graduate Fellowship
Accelerate your Japan-focused research and study with up to $10,000 in funding.
The Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship Fund (SYLFF)
Offered in partnership with The Nippon Foundation and the Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research, this prestigious program supports students with a strong commitment to leadership. Awardees receive full tuition and fees to GPS, a stipend and summer internship support. Priority is given to students studying Japan.
The J. Yang Scholarship Program at UC San Diego
This comprehensive partnership with Taiwanese academic institutions provides scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students from Taiwan. This five-year initiative is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the J. Yang Family Foundation, with a full cost-sharing match from the university.
UC San Diego's Center on Global Justice
This center holds an annual student competition for human rights fellowships. Successful applicants receive a stipend for summer internships with a human rights organization.
UC San Diego Education Abroad Program (EAP) Scholarships
UC San Diego awards over $500,000 each year in scholarships specifically for study abroad. The application form for scholarships administered by the Program Abroad Office is updated prior to each scholarship deadline.
GPS Summer Internship Funding
To ensure financial barriers do not limit your career progression, our Career and Professional Development Center provides financial support to master's students who undertake unpaid internships during the summer between their first and second year.
Need-Based Aid & Military Benefits
Need-Based Financial Aid
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for need-based financial aid. Funded by federal and state governments and the University of California, these resources help pay your educational expenses during the nine-month academic year. Visit the UC San Diego Financial Aid website for information about aid types, eligibility requirements, and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Federal Veterans Benefits
Veterans can apply for the Post-9/11 GI Bill alongside other available federal veterans benefits. Veterans and active-duty U.S. military members also receive an application fee waiver.
Prominent External Fellowships
Many of our students successfully secure highly competitive external fellowships. We strongly encourage applicants to explore these options early.
Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship
Designed to attract outstanding individuals from all backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a foreign service career with the U.S. Department of State. Participants receive full funding for tuition and fees during their second year of study in a two-year master's degree program.
Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship
A collaborative effort between Howard University and the U.S. Department of State that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the U.S. Foreign Service.
NSEP David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships
Provides up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students seeking admission or continuing graduate study for overseas or domestic research, language study or both.
Fulbright Program
The largest U.S. international exchange program offers opportunities for students, scholars and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research and teaching worldwide.
Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA)
The PPIA seeks out high-potential undergraduate students to participate in an intensive seven-week Junior Summer Institute (JSI) before their senior year. Participants are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in public policy or international affairs graduate school, and typically receive full tuition and fees when pursuing their master's degree.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Graduate Scholarship Program
Developed to assist minority and disabled students, though open to all who meet requirements. Selected scholars receive up to $18,000 per calendar year for tuition, fees and books, along with an annual salary and an optional benefits package. Scholars agree to continue employment with the Agency after graduation for a period equal to 1.5 times the length of their college sponsorship. Apply at least 12 months prior to your anticipated start date to allow for security clearance processing.
The Organization of American States (OAS) Rowe Fund
An educational loan program that helps citizens from Latin American and Caribbean OAS Member States finance their studies or research at accredited U.S. universities by awarding interest-free loans of up to $15,000.
PEO International Peace Scholarship
This scholarship is based upon demonstrated financial need; however, the award is not intended to cover all academic or personal expenses. Applicants must indicate additional financial resources adequate to meet their estimated expenses.
External Funding Databases
Maximize your search by exploring these specialized graduate funding databases:
- APSIA Fellowship Directory: A comprehensive listing of additional fellowships and scholarships tailored to international affairs students.
- GRAPES Database (UCLA): An easy-to-use, frequently updated database of graduate-level scholarships and grants.
- Go Grad: Resource to explore diverse funding options to finance an advanced degree.
- The Association for Asian Studies: A list of dedicated Asian Studies grants and fellowships.
- Ford Foundation: Funding opportunities determined by region and international partners.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Extramural Research: Information on research grants, policy and compliance.
- Peterson's: A robust search engine for global scholarships, grants, and fellowships.