Affording Your Ph.D.: Scholarships, Stipends and Funding
Your education is one of the most valuable investments you will ever make. We can help you pay for it.
The question of how to pay for your Ph.D. is no doubt a factor in your decision to apply for doctoral study, and where you choose to apply. We are here to help you determine how much your Ph.D. program will cost, and give you strategies and options for how to pay for it.
Below, you will find detailed information on Ph.D. student finances. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions via email at hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu, or give us a call at 412-268-2164.
Full-Tuition Scholarship Details
The financial aid program is designed to provide you with the financial support necessary to enable you to successfully complete the Ph.D. program. If you are a Ph.D. candidate in good standing, you will receive a full-tuition scholarship for your entire tenure in the program.
Students in the doctoral program in Information Systems & Management or in Public Policy & Management will receive a $33,000 stipend (no work required) for the academic year (nine months) during your first year in the program. Students in joint degree Ph.D. programs should contact the Ph.D. program office for stipend and TA details.
In addition to the full-tuition scholarship and stipend, Heinz College will pay for Ph.D. students' technology fee, student activity fee, and transportation fee (all of which are considered required fees by the university). And Ph.D. students will be eligible for the university's support of 100 percent of the individual premium cost for coverage through the Student Healthcare Insurance Program.
For students in the second through sixth years of study in the doctoral program in Information Systems & Management or in Public Policy & Management (provided they remain in good academic standing), Heinz College will annually renew your full-tuition scholarship support and provide you with the opportunity to earn a minimum of $33,000 each year through teaching and/or research assistantships. There are additional opportunities to augment your academic year earnings by working as a teaching assistant during the summer term.
In addition to the full-tuition scholarship and stipend, Heinz College will pay for Ph.D. students' technology fee, student activity fee, and transportation fee (all of which are considered required fees by the university). And Ph.D. students will be eligible for the university's support of 100 percent of the individual premium cost for coverage through the Student Healthcare Insurance Program.
Students in joint degree Ph.D. programs should contact the Ph.D. program office for stipend and TA details for years two to six.
Contact the Ph.D. program office for stipend and TA details.
If you are eligible for more than one scholarship from Heinz College, you may not be eligible to receive the minimum award for the additional scholarship(s). Typically, scholarships (including percentage-based awards and fellowships) offered by Heinz College are renewable for subsequent semesters of enrollment but are not guaranteed.
Scholarships (including percentage-based awards and fellowships) may be reduced or rescinded for any of the following reasons:
- Changing the academic program of study
- A difference in the number of enrolled units originally used to calculate eligibility
- Extending the normal program length
- Deferment of offer of admission
- Failure to make satisfactory academic progress
- You are ineligible because your application for admission contained inaccurate information (e.g., your prior experience, partner affiliation or citizenship status stated in your application is inaccurate).
- Financial aid overaward*
*Total scholarship from all sources generally may not exceed the cost of tuition and fees. Total financial aid from all sources may not exceed the total cost of attendance.
Other Funding Opportunities
Please see below for a brief description of each type of funding opportunity:
Faculty members often hire Ph.D. students to work as research assistants on funded projects. Research assistantship payments vary based on the funding available to the faculty member.
Heinz College occasionally hires Ph.D. students who prove to be excellent teachers as instructors in its master's degree programs.
Teaching assistantships are available to Ph.D. students beginning in their second year. Limited positions are available over the summer for interested Ph.D. students
If you obtain an external tuition scholarship from an organization outside of CMU, you are eligible to receive 25 percent of the external tuition scholarship in the form of extra stipend support from Heinz College. This applies only to funding from organizations external to CMU, not to scholarships awarded to you from a CMU program, even if that program is funded by an external organization.
Loans
As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible for federal direct loans or private education loans. For more information on the loans for which you may be eligible, including detailed instructions for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, please visit the Carnegie Mellon University Student Financial Services website.
External Scholarships
Outside scholarships are any scholarships not awarded by the federal or state government or the university. Searching for outside scholarships can be a tedious process if you don't know where to start. Visit Carnegie Mellon's financial aid website to help you get started on your search for external scholarship support.
Estimated Cost of Attendance
Please visit the student Financial Services website for the estimated cost of attendance for Heinz College's Ph.D. students (before scholarship and other financial support). 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 (if applicable).
Cost of Living
In deciding where to obtain your Ph.D., 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. If you are going to relocate, why not select a place where your money goes further?
Compared to Pittsburgh, the cost of living is 36% higher in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, 46% higher in San Francisco, and 58% higher in New York (Manhattan).
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.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program was created to encourage individuals to enter lower-paying, public sector jobs such as military service, law enforcement, public education, and public health professions. The PSLF Program allows eligible federal loan borrowers to qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of their qualifying loans, after they have served full-time at a qualifying public service organization while making 120 qualifying payments.
Find answers to commonly asked questions related to applying for U.S. Federal Financial Aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out our Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information on any of the topics or processes outlined above.