Admissions Partners | Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs partners with some of the country’s leading public service organizations to recognize those who serve the greater good by offering special incentives for applicants and students.In recognition of their service to the country and their accomplishments, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs waives the $50 application fee for the following students:

Veterans of the U.S. armed forces
Active-duty U.S. military personnel
Returned Peace Corps volunteers
AmeriCorps volunteers and volunteers from AmeriCorps-affiliated programs, including Teach for America and City Year
Truman Scholars
Pickering Fellows
Coro Fellows
McNair Fellows
Rangel Fellows
Catholic Volunteer Network alumni
Jesuit Volunteer Corps alumni
Repair the World Fellows
USAID Donald Payne Fellows
PULSE (Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience) Fellows

If you fall into one of the categories listed above, please contact us at 412-648-7640 or gspia@pitt.edu prior to submitting your application to request a fee waiver code.

Tuition Discounts for Government Employees and Veterans

MPPM students who enroll in their degree program while working full-time for a local, county, state, or federal government agency (excluding private-sector government contractors) receive a 20% tuition discount. Only students in the mid-career MPPM program are eligible.

If you’re a veteran using VA education benefits to attend GSPIA, you’ll receive the in-state tuition rate. Students in all degree programs are eligible. Visit the Office of Veterans Services for more information.

See more resources for veterans.

Special Scholarship Partners and

Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Program: All RPCVs who are successfully admitted are automatically considered for a minimum 25% renewable scholarship, if they earned at least a 3.4 undergraduate GPA and enroll full-time in the MPA, MID, or MPIA programs. Students who receive the scholarship are designated as “Coverdell Fellows” and, like all fellows in this nationwide program, are asked to complete an internship serving the community. Up to 6 Coverdell Fellows can be named every year.
AmeriCorps Segal Education Award Match: We provide a 100% scholarship match for up to five Segal AmeriCorps Education Award recipients each year. All AmeriCorps alumni are automatically considered for this special scholarship if they plan to enroll full-time; no separate application is necessary. Simply indicate your status as an AmeriCorps alum on the application for admission. This is a minimum scholarship; the actual amount may be higher, and it may be combined with other scholarships from the school.
Early Assurance Partnerships: The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs sponsors early assurance partnerships with several colleges and universities. Undergraduate students at these institutions are eligible to apply to our programs a year early, as college juniors, and receive conditional admission (with a scholarship guarantee) pending their completion of a bachelor's degree. Interested students should contact GSPIA for further information. Partner institutions include Carlow University, Chatham University, Duquesne University, Juniata College, Mercyhurst University, Saint Vincent College, Seton Hill University, and Thiel College.
USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Fellows: We provide a scholarship sufficient to cover the remainder of a student’s tuition after the Payne Fellowship has been applied. The scholarship is renewable for a second year based on academic performance.
Thomas M. Pickering Fellows: Our school provides a scholarship sufficient to cover the remainder of a student’s tuition after the Pickering Fellowship has been applied. The scholarship is renewable for a second year based on academic performance.
City Year Alumni University Partnership (City Year National Service Scholars Program): City Year corps, alumni, or staff members are eligible for a scholarship equal to at least 25% of tuition if admitted and enrolled full-time. Up to four such scholarships are awarded each year. Corps alumni with at least one year of service and staff members employed for at least two years will be considered for this scholarship if they self-identify on their applications.
Teach for America Partnership: We offer a scholarship of a minimum $5,000 per year to any Teach for America alumni who are successfully admitted and who have at least a 3.4 undergraduate GPA. Students must enroll full time. Students who apply simultaneously to Teach for America and GSPIA may be granted a two-year deferral of their admission to complete their Teach for America obligations.
Coro Fellows: Current Coro Fellows based in Coro’s Pittsburgh office are eligible to receive a minimum $5,000/year renewable scholarship if admitted and enrolled full-time. Coro Fellows and employees from any Coro office nationwide receive an application fee waiver.
Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program: Our school provides a scholarship sufficient to cover the remainder of a student’s tuition after the Rangel Fellowship has been applied. The scholarship is renewable for a second year based on academic performance.
Catholic Volunteer Network Alumni: All Catholic Volunteer Network alumni qualify for an application fee waiver. Alumni of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) and Notre Dame Mission Volunteers (NDMV) will be considered a minimum renewable scholarship award of $5,000 per year if they enroll full-time. Up to five scholarship awards can be offered to qualified alumni of the JVC and NDMV programs each year.
Repair the World Fellows: All Repair the World Fellows qualify for an application fee waiver and will be considered for a renewable scholarship of at least $5,000 per year if they are admitted and enroll full time. Up to five awards can be offered to qualified students each year.
PULSE: Fellows and alumni of PULSE (Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience) qualify for an application fee waiver and will be considered for a renewable scholarship of at least $5,000 per year if they are admitted and enroll full-time. Up to five awards can be offered to qualified students every year.