A female student at a panel event holds a microphone to ask a question while other students look on.

Affording Your Master's Degree

Your education is one of the most valuable investments you will ever make. We can help you pay for it. 

Many of our students receive a scholarship from our school to help reduce the cost of earning their master's degree from Heinz College. Below, you will find detailed information on scholarships, student employment opportunities, and loans to help offset the cost of your master's education. If you have any questions about student finances, please contact the Office of Admissions via email at hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu, or give us a call at 412-268-2164.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Please visit the student Financial Services website for the estimated cost of attendance for Master of Information Systems Management students before scholarships. All figures are estimates and are subject to change. These budgets provide you with information about costs associated with attending the program and serve as the basis for determining federal financial aid awards.

Cost of Living in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh skyline in the evening.

In deciding where to attend graduate school, you must consider a number of factors. Be sure to devote appropriate attention to the Cost of Living in the various cities you are considering for graduate school. If you are going to relocate and spend two years in graduate school, why not select a place where your money goes further?

Cost of Living Comparison Calculator

Pittsburgh's combination of affordability, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and our booming tech scene make it an unbeatable destination for grad school. And there is no trade-off: Pittsburgh retains its modest cost of living while offering a vibrant cultural scene, nightlife, outdoor activities, college and professional sports teams, and so much more.

Heinz College Fellowships

Heinz College Fellow Mallika Yadwad smiles in a white flowery shirt.
Mallika Yadwad, MSPPM '27 and a Heinz College Fellow. 

Students selected for the Heinz College Fellowship receive a full-tuition scholarship. One of our most prestigious awards, selected students are identified as part of the standard admissions process. No additional application is required.

The Heinz College Fellowship is a cohort-based leadership and engagement program that brings together a small group of incoming students across all programs in the college who will help strengthen our community, contribute to the life of the College, and serve as thoughtful partners in shaping the student experience.

Scholarships

Heinz College applicants can be considered for any of the following applicable scholarship opportunities:

Please see below for eligibility requirements and selection criteria for specific awards. Some awards will be based on the application for admission, including their academic and/or professional achievement, while others will require additional materials beyond the standard application for admission.

Program Scholarships

These merit-based scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of their application for admission, including their academic and/or professional achievement. Awards can range from 10% to 75% of tuition.

Every admitted student can be considered for this merit-based scholarship. You should indicate on your application for admission that you would like to be considered for merit-based financial support. No additional application forms or documentation are required for consideration.

Recipients can also apply for a research assistantship or other part-time work opportunities to earn $5,000-$6,000 per academic year to help with non-tuition expenses.

Excellence in Technology Fellowships

Heinz College offers a limited number of half-tuition Excellence in Technology Fellowships each year. These fellowships are awarded to exceptional students. Awards will be based on the student’s potential for excellence and leadership in the field of information technology and management.

American Technology Fellowships

Heinz College awards a minimum scholarship of $10,000 per semester up to a full-tuition scholarship to eligible students. If you are interested in an American Technology Fellowship, you must be a U.S. citizen who plans to enroll on a full-time basis and exemplifies a strong commitment to the field of IT Management.

David Lingren Fellowship for Technology and Society

Recipients of the David Lingren Fellowship for Technology and Society receive an additional $2,000 per semester tuition scholarship and work with the Block Center for Technology and Society staff and affiliated faculty as a Research Assistant. The Lingren Fellow’s work with the Block Center will be co-designed to help apply technology-informed solutions to societal issues—particularly related to education and the future of work. The Fellow will have ample opportunity to work with partners across campus and externally as part of their role with the Block Center. If time allows, the Block Center may help the Fellow propose a systems capstone project related to a Block Center focus area or building on an affiliated faculty member’s work, designed to provide the client with policy or programmatic recommendations.

In addition to the $2,000/semester tuition scholarship, the Lingren Fellow will earn their work-study award ($5,000 per academic year) for their work with the Block Center.

After the Fellow’s first year, they will meet with staff to assess progress and second-year goals to confirm the continuation of the Fellowship into a second year.

Student Experience & Engagement (See) Fellowship

The SEE Fellow supports student development initiatives through research, survey and feedback development, and student experience analysis for all students at Heinz College. This fellow plays a key role in gathering insights on student engagement, well-being, and community building, contributing to the development of initiatives that enhance the overall Heinz student experience. The SEE fellow receives up to a 50% tuition scholarship for the duration of their master’s program at Heinz College. In addition to the scholarship, the SEE fellow will work as an RA. This would typically require working 5-7 hours per week (earning $17/ hour), during the fall and spring semesters. In doing so, the SEE fellow would be eligible to earn $4,000-$6,000 per academic year.

Students who apply to Heinz College before the January 10 deadline and who are offered admission will be invited to submit the additional application for this award.

Deliberative Discourse Fellowship

Each year, Heinz College awards an additional $2,000 per semester scholarship to the Deliberative Discourse Fellow (DDF), who will be an incoming student who exemplifies a strong commitment to fostering spaces that encourage diverse opinions and perspectives, while working towards reducing polarization. The recipient will work with Heinz College's SEE Office on the Deliberative Discourse Initiative and can earn $4,000-$6,000 per academic year to help with their non-tuition expenses. Preference will be given to (i) students who have been admitted to a full-time master's program at Heinz College and/or (ii) students who have demonstrated commitment to working on issues related to deliberative discourse; fostering space that facilitates diverse conversations and perspectives; and/or reduction of polarization in organizations/college campuses.

Students who apply to Heinz College before the January 10 deadline and who are offered admission will be invited to submit the additional application for this award.

Pittsburgh Regional Leaders Scholarships

Heinz College offers a limited number of Regional Leaders Scholarships to incoming students who have a demonstrated a commitment to the Pittsburgh community. If you are interested in a Regional Leaders Scholarship, we require that an individual who can testify to your commitment to and impact on the Pittsburgh community writes at least one of your recommendations for admission.

Stephen M. Lauble Community Fellowship

The Stephen M. Lauble (MSPPM '93) Community Fellowship was created in 1995 in memory of Stephen Lauble, a Heinz College alumnus whose academic and community work showed extraordinary commitment to the City of Pittsburgh, its people and its neighborhoods. Each year, one student is selected through a competitive process to receive the Stephen M. Lauble Community Fellowship, which requires them to intern in Pittsburgh public or nonprofit agencies.

The Fellow will complete a 300-hour summer internship and an academic year internship during their second year with an organization related to economic development. The Fellow will coordinate a campus event/speaker in the spring semester for the benefit of the Heinz College student body. The event/speaker should build student awareness or interest in economic or community development, urban planning, and/or municipal management.

This award is open to all current Heinz College students. Application for this fellowship will be available during the first academic year.

Tribal Affairs Fellowship

All students are welcome to apply for Heinz College's Tribal Affairs Fellowship. The fellowship includes an additional $2,000 scholarship per semester for a student committed to promoting the advancement of the Native American population and working in the field of tribal affairs. Applicants should express their interest in this opportunity within their "Optional Essay." The statement should include details of their previous related experience, demonstrated commitment and contribution to working in this field. Applicants are not required to be affiliated with or members of a tribe. Recipients can also apply for a research assistantship or other part-time work opportunities to earn $5,000-$6,000 per academic year to help with non-tuition expenses.

Gorman Fellowship

This internship scholarship memorializes Tom Gorman, a 1985 graduate of the Heinz School. Tom was committed to public sector work and, with several classmates, founded the Internship Opportunity Fund (IOF). The Gorman Fund provides one or more awards of $3,000 per student each year to students interning in the public or nonprofit sector (in any location) with preference given to internships in environmental protection, public sector economic development and/or urban planning.

IT Lab: Summer Security Intensive scholarship

If you have successfully completed the IT Lab program prior to completing your bachelor's degree and are admitted to a full-time master's program at Heinz College, you may be awarded a scholarship of at least 50% of tuition.

If you are affiliated with one or more of Heinz College's Foundational Partners and enroll in one of Heinz College's full-time graduate degree programs, you are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship equal to 50% and up to 100% of tuition*. 

No separate application is necessary to be considered for the following scholarships. To be considered, simply indicate your experience, involvement, membership, or affiliation with any of the partners listed below on your application for admission to Heinz College. If you do not list the partner(s) on your application, you will not be eligible for the award at a later date.

Affiliation with more than one of our partners does not increase the total available scholarship award. Please note that students who are eligible for more than one of our scholarships with a guaranteed minimum may not be entitled to the minimum award amount for the second scholarship.

Foundational Partners

If you are affiliated with one or more of Heinz College's Strategic Partners and enroll in one of Heinz College's full-time graduate degree programs, you are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship equal to 30% and up to 100% of tuition*. 

Strategic Partners

If you are a current undergraduate student or graduate of one the following colleges or universities and enroll in one of Heinz College's full-time graduate degree programs, you may be eligible to receive a minimum of 30% and up to 100% of tuition* in scholarship support as a result of your undergraduate affiliation. 

U.S. military veterans who are not receiving 100 percent tuition benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible to receive a scholarship of up to 30 percent of tuition costs. This scholarship benefit is available to the spouses and children of U.S. military veterans. Applicants should indicate their eligibility within their application for admission.

Students can be awarded additional scholarship support above and beyond this particular award by the Admissions Committee.

Other U.S. Military Veterans Benefits

U.S. Military veterans can learn more about available benefits on our Veterans Education Benefits page.

Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program

The Heinz College Fallen Heroes Scholarship program aims to provide scholarship support to the surviving spouses/partners and children of our fallen heroes. See our Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program page for additional information on program eligibility and benefits.

Heinz College currently has distinct scholarship partnership agreements with the following organizations. If you are affiliated with any of the following organizations and are interested in enrolling in any of Heinz College's full- or part-time graduate degree programs, please contact the Office of Admissions at hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-2164 for more information on these scholarship opportunities.

William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship

Heinz College will provide the difference between its tuition and the William D. Clarke, Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship tuition assistance to students selected as Clarke DS Fellows. Under this agreement, in addition to the 100% tuition scholarship, Clarke DS Fellows receive a living stipend provided by the U.S. Department of State

The published admission application deadline of January 10 will be extended to March 10 for all students who apply to the Clarke DS Fellowship program. Applicants should indicate on their application and resume that they are applying for the Clarke DS Fellowship.

Heinz College will also recognize Clarke DS Fellowship finalists by giving them equal consideration for merit-based awards from the school after the published admissions date of January 10. All Clarke DS Fellowship applicants will be considered for other merit-based awards offered by Heinz College. No separate application is required.

Please note the Clarke DS Fellowship is limited to specific master's programs at Heinz:

GEM Fellowship Program

Through our partnership with the GEM Fellowship Program, Heinz College will provide the difference between its tuition and the GEM tuition assistance to all GEM Fellows who attend the Heinz College for their master's degree.

Government Service Scholarships

In recognition for their service, the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management program (all tracks) awards admitted students who have worked for the U.S. Federal, state, or local government (including congressional staff) a minimum tuition scholarship of $8,000 per semester (awarded as an MSPPM Program Scholarship).

In order to be eligible for this award students are required to have worked on a full-time basis for at least 12 months for a U.S. government entity prior to applying for admission to the MSPPM program. Examples of eligible employment include, but are not limited to, employees in the U.S. House or U.S. Senate, U.S. federal agencies, state legislatures, and local/municipal governments.

The award will be made at the time of admission (no separate application is necessary) and the student will receive a tuition reduction scholarship of at least 30% of the current tuition per semester. To be considered, applicants should indicate their eligible employment on their resume that is submitted as part of the application for admission

Recipients will also be considered for additional merit-based scholarship support at the time of admission.

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority Scholarship

PWSA employees a minimum tuition scholarship of 30% per semester (may be awarded as a Program Scholarship) when they enroll in the following programs at Heinz:

U.S. Military Academy Scholarship

Through our partnership with the U.S. Military Academy, Heinz College awards current West Point cadets and alumni a minimum scholarship of 50% of tuition per semester.

Program-Specific Scholarships

Arts Management and Technology Lab Fellowship

AMTLab@CMU is a research center that serves as an exchange, a catalyst for innovative ideas, and a conduit for knowledge circulating at the intersection of arts, management, and technology. Our AMTLab Fellowships are designed for our students whose interests align with the research center’s goals. In the past our fellows have worked as the AMT Lab’s Technology Manager and Podcast Producer.

Incoming Master of Arts Management students are considered for an AMTLab Fellowship as part of the admission process. Interested applicants are encouraged to mention their interest in the role within the essay or optional essay in the application for admission. The AMTLab Fellowship is a one-year commitment (renewable for the second year) and includes an additional scholarship of $2,500 per semester as an Arts Management student. Through their staff position at AMT Lab they will be able to earn $17/ hour ($5,000-$5,500 each year) and will be eligible for $1,000 in conference travel funds.

In addition to the AMTLab Fellowship awarded at the time of admission, all first-year Arts Management students are eligible to apply for an AMT Lab Fellowship that will occur in their second year of the Arts Management program. The AMT Lab Fellow will receive a scholarship of $2,500 per semester for their second year of study as an Arts Management student, and will be eligible for $1,000 in conference travel funds. All first-year Arts Management students can apply to be an AMTLab Fellow.

Arts in the Community Fellowship

The Arts in the Community Fellowship can be awarded to an incoming Arts Management student who demonstrates a sustained commitment to civic participation through arts management. The full-tuition scholarship is awarded to students admitted to the Arts Management program who have demonstrated their commitment to community-based arts through prior employment or internship(s) with a community-based arts organization or academic research/achievements centered on community-based arts. Interested applicants are encouraged to mention their interest in the award within the essay or optional essay in the application for admission. Recipients will receive a full-tuition scholarship and will be able to earn $5,000-$6,000 per academic year by interning part-time with one of the arts organizations in the region.

Future Fundraiser Fellowship

The Future Fundraiser Fellow can be awarded to an incoming Arts Management student who demonstrates a passion for fundraising for arts organizations through individual giving, grant writing, sponsorships, and community-centric fundraising. The full-tuition scholarship is awarded to students admitted to the Arts Management program who have demonstrated their commitment to fundraising for arts through prior employment or internship(s). Interested applicants are encouraged to mention their interest in the award within the essay or optional essay in the application for admission. Recipients will receive a full-tuition scholarship and will be able to earn $5,000-$6,000 per academic year by interning part-time with one of a wide variety of arts organizations in the region.

Dean's Health Care Fellowship

Heinz College annually awards as many as five full-tuition scholarships to incoming Health Care Analytics students. Selection of the students is based upon demonstrated commitment to pursuing a career that advances health care equity, access or outcomes using data and technology. Recipients can also apply for a research assistantship with health care faculty or other part-time work opportunities to earn $5,000-$6,000 per academic year to help with non-tuition expenses.

American Security Professional Fellowships

Heinz College awards a minimum scholarship of $10,000 per semester up to a full-tuition scholarship to eligible students. If you are interested in an American Security Professional Fellowship, you must be a U.S. citizen who plans to enroll on a full-time basis and exemplifies a strong commitment to the field of IT Management.

Eligibility

Several of the scholarships and fellowships listed on this page are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents may not eligible for all of the scholarships/ fellowships listed on this page.

Part-Time Students

Part-time students who are eligible for any of the scholarship opportunities outlined above receive an equivalent percentage of each scholarship throughout the course of their studies at Heinz College.

Carnegie Mellon Statement of Assurance

Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.

Student Employment Opportunities

For many Information Systems Management students, working via a paid internship or work-study position is a big part of life at Heinz College. In a given year, more than 200 Heinz College students subsidize the cost of their education by taking advantage of student employment opportunities during the academic year or over the summer. These positions allow students to earn the $16,000 in work-study awards to which they have access. They also provide valuable skills and networking opportunities that students can draw upon when they enter the workforce after graduation.

As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS), Federal Community Service Work Study (FCSWS), or Non-Federal Work Study positions to help offset your educational expenses.

Please see below for a brief description of each student employment opportunity:

As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible to work within a part-time position at Heinz College to help offset your educational expenses. FWS positions typically pay $17 per hour, and do not include academic credits. All employment under this federal program must be authorized by the Heinz College Office of Financial Aid in advance of accepting employment or hiring students.

As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible to work for an eligible public, government or 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission and work benefit the community to earn money to help cover education-related expenses. FCSWS positions typically pay $17 per hour, and do not include academic credits. All employment under this federal program must be authorized by the Heinz College Office of Financial Aid in advance of accepting employment or hiring students.

If you do not qualify for a federal work study program, you are eligible to work in a non-federal work study position. Non-federal work study positions are especially helpful for international students, who often don’t qualify for federal work study positions. Non-federal work study positions typically pay $17 per hour, and do not include academic credits.

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