What About Finances?
Scholarships (or merit-based assistance)
The Nicholas School makes every effort to assist students in their efforts to underwrite the cost of their graduate education. Merit-based financial assistance in the form of scholarships or assistantships is awarded to qualified students on the basis of demonstrated outstanding academic ability and a high degree of professional promise. Decisions regarding merit-based assistance are made on the basis of the completed application; no additional application is required.
All admissions decisions are made without regard to financial need or ability to pay. Scholarships and assistantships are granted from school funds. At no time does an assistantship include either a tuition waiver or living stipend. Funds to support these merit awards are limited. As a result, all students must expect to have other financial resources. For many students, the federally subsidized loan programs provide a large portion of the funds necessary to cover the cost of attendance.
In all instances, admission to the Nicholas School is required before a student can be considered for any type of financial assistance. If offered financial assistance, professional students normally will receive the award for two years of study; it is expected that they will complete their degree within this period of time.
However, the School reserves the right to examine the progress of each student to determine eligibility for continuation of awards beyond the first year. No student will receive financial aid while on probation unless an appeal is approved by the Admissions and Awards Committee. In no case may the amount of financial aid awarded to a student from all sources in a given year exceed the estimated annual costs of attending the Nicholas School.
