Application Fee Waiver Policy
The University of Pittsburgh School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) is committed to reducing barriers to graduate education and proudly offers application fee waivers to individuals who have demonstrated service, leadership, or financial need.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants may request a fee waiver if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
Service-Based and Partner Program Affiliations
U.S. citizens and permanent residents affiliated with the following organizations or backgrounds may be eligible:
- Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Active-duty military personnel
- Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
- AmeriCorps Volunteers and AmeriCorps-affiliated program alumni
- City Year Volunteers
- Fulbright Scholars
- Truman Scholars
- Pickering Fellows
- Coro Fellows
- McNair Scholars
- Rangel Fellows
- USAID Payne Fellows
- Catholic Volunteer Network alumni
- Jesuit Volunteer Corps alumni
- PULSE (Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience) alumni
- Repair the World alumni
- Pitt2Pitt and Accelerated (4+1) Degree Program applicants
- Early Assurance Partner School graduates
- Graduates of Minority Serving Institutions (HBCUs, HSIs, Tribal Colleges)
- PPIA Junior Summer Institute or Public Service Weekend alumni
- NextGen Service Corps members
- IC-CAE Scholars
- Current full-time employees of local, state, or federal government agencies
- Individuals impacted by nonprofit, government, or higher education layoffs in 2025
- Applicants referred by a current SPIA student or alumnus/a
Financial Need
U.S. citizens and permanent residents may also request a fee waiver based on financial hardship.
International Applicants
Due to financial requirements tied to the student visa process, international applicants are typically not eligible for fee waivers. However, limited exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for:
- Graduates of U.S.-based service organizations listed above
- Applicants receiving full government or external scholarship funding
PhD Applicants
Due to high application volume, PhD fee waivers are available only to applicants who:
- Meet one of the eligibility categories listed above, and
- Have uploaded all required application materials to their application
How to Request a Fee Waiver
Fee waivers are not automatic. All applicants must submit a request through our Fee Waiver Request Form on the 'Apply' page or email SPIA@pitt.edu before paying the application fee. We are unable to refund fees that have already been submitted.
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 SPIA, 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
- 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 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 SPIA 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 SPIA 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.