In applying to grad school, am I automatically considered for merit + need based aid?

Question

Can I expect that I am automatically considered for aid, or must one apply for specific scholarships to receive aid?
If I am a very competitive applicant, is it reasonable to assume that a letter of acceptance in response to a basic application might automatically include some sort of aid as an enticement?

More info: I am applying to public policy and international development MA programs, including Harvard, Brandeis, Syracuse and Tufts.

Answer 1

You will be automatically considered for merit-based awards. The departments to which you are applying will either directly provide these awards (teaching or research assistantships) or nominate you for these awards (university-wide fellowships).

Need-based aid must be applied for, via FAFSA, and sometimes, via each specific program. There are often grant programs that can be either state or institution based to which you may want to apply. Contact the Graduate School at each university for this information, not the departments to which you are applying.

Answer 2

Ask your department chair or graduate director. Schools vary on this, especially in MA (rather than PhD) programs.Some schools will probably be able to offer aid right away to competitive applicants, but departmental funding for terminal masters programs is often quite limited. Do fill out a FAFSA, but also make sure that you do whatever paperwork they require for GA/TA positions. Better to have your bases covered... Good Luck!

Answer 3

I think you are automatically considered for everything when you put in a financial aid application. Those schools might also have funding for TAs or research assistant that might be worth looking into. Those might be granted as part of your acceptance package.

Answer 4

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