Financial Aid
At Pitt Public and International Affairs, we are committed to helping students achieve their educational goals. While specific scholarships for undergraduate students are not currently offered through our school, we encourage you to explore the robust financial aid and scholarship opportunities available university-wide through Pitt's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid provides resources to assist with tuition, fees, and other educational costs, ensuring access to a world-class education at Pitt. Please visit their website to learn more about scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs available to undergraduate students.
4+1 Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree for Pitt Undergrads
Can’t wait to start your career in public and international affairs? Highly motivated Pitt undergraduates can apply to their MPA or MID early during their third (junior) year of college, and graduate with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a total of five years.
Save Time! Earn both degrees in five years instead of the usual six. Save Money! You will pay undergraduate tuition for your first four years, and your undergraduate financial aid will typically apply. You will pay graduate tuition in year five, and may be eligible for graduate financial aid.
Interested in applying? First, talk to your undergraduate advisor to make sure you are eligible, and make an appointment with a GSPIA admissions counselor to discuss the program (gspia@pitt.edu). Submit a complete application by February 1 of your junior year, and be sure to check the box to indicate that you are applying for the 4+1 accelerated program. One of your two letters of recommendation must be written by Susan Crain in the Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office, confirming that you are eligible for the program.
This program is open to you if you are a student in the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences or College of General Studies, have completed at least 96 credits, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better. Any major is appropriate. You should be finished with virtually all of your gen ed and major requirements, leaving only your electives.
If accepted, you will spend your fourth (senior) year taking your first 24 master's level credits while finishing any remaining undergraduate requirements (ideally no more than 3-6 credits). At the end of year four, you will graduate with your bachelor’s degree on schedule. In year five, you will finish your remaining credits and graduate with your master’s degree.
Pitt 2 Pitt Scholarships for Pitt Alumni
The Pitt2Pitt Scholarship provides financial support for University of Pittsburgh graduating seniors interested in completing a Pitt master's degree or certificate program.
To be eligible to apply for a Pitt2Pitt scholarship, the applicant must have received a bachelor’s, graduate and/or professional degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and be in good academic, disciplinary and financial standing with the University. Applicants who are simultaneously enrolled in more than one academic program that is eligible for the Pitt2Pitt Scholarship may only receive a maximum of one Pitt2Pitt Scholarship per term. More details can be found here.
Freshman Guarantee
Exceptionally talented high school students who apply and are accepted to the University of Pittsburgh as undergraduates may be offered guaranteed admission to a master's program within the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, provided that they enroll and graduate from Pitt with their bachelor’s degree. To be awarded the guarantee, students must also select Public & International Affairs Guarantee or indicate interest in social science majors following that campus’ instructions. If you are a high school student interested in this program, please contact the undergraduate admissions office on your respective Pitt campus to learn about their application process.
Pittsburgh Campus – https://admissions.pitt.edu/guaranteed-admissions-programs/
Greensburg Campus – https://www.greensburg.pitt.edu/admissions
Bradford Campus – https://www.upb.pitt.edu/admissions-aid
If you were offered guaranteed admission to the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs as high school student, your guarantee will apply as long as you meet the terms outline in your original letter. To maintain your guaranteed admission, you must:
- Complete your Bachelor's degree at Pitt Achieve a 3.5 or higher overall GPA
- Demonstrate a commitment to drive meaningful change through internships, volunteer, and/or work experience in the fields of public and international affairs
- Apply using the admissions application on GRADCAS within 3 years of graduation.