Funding Opportunities for Master’s Students

Considering a master’s degree at the Bloomberg School? There may be funding opportunities available for you.

Read on for a list of frequently asked questions about funding and please reach out to the Financial Aid Office with questions.

• How is funding handled for master’s students at the Bloomberg School?

Each academic department at the Bloomberg School administers and awards scholarship assistance. Typically, all admitted students receive consideration for any available funding by their academic department. No application is required, and award notifications are sent directly by the departments. Excluding the Bloomberg Fellowship Program, all students admitted to the MPH program are also automatically considered for scholarship assistance by the MPH Program Office.

• Does the Bloomberg School offer need-based aid?

Yes. The School offers two forms of need-based aid:

Public Health Grants: The School provides a limited number of need-based grants to domestic and international first year, full-time master’s students who demonstrate the highest level of financial need. Depending upon the availability of funds, awards amounts can range up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the school’s tuition costs. Eligibility and application requirements are posted on the Financial Aid Office website. 

Baltimore Public Health Scholarship: In keeping with the School’s commitment to support the Baltimore community, the Baltimore Public Health Scholarship (BPHS) was created to provide full tuition awards to students who seek a career path to advance the public’s health. This need-based scholarship is awarded to 2–3 first year, full-time master’s students who graduated from a Baltimore City high school. Eligibility and application requirements are posted on the Financial Aid Office website. 

• What is the Master’s Tuition Scholarship (MTS) and who is eligible?

Excluding the MPH, students in most other master’s programs that exceed 4 terms may qualify to receive up to a 75% tuition scholarship in the 2nd year of their program. However, students in some programs have the option of receiving a 25% reduction in tuition their first year and 50% in their second year. Students should contact the academic program manager for their program of interest for information on the MTS. *(Updated March 2021)

• Do you offer Federal Work-Study?

Yes. The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who demonstrate financial need. Federal Work-Study is taxable income paid by check, directly to the student. Earnings do not reduce your tuition bill. Jobs often provide support to our faculty in some aspect of their research initiatives. Non-need-based employment may also be available within the various departments of the school. Check with your department or program adviser for information on non-need-based employment opportunities.

If you have questions about the Federal Work-Study Program, please contact the Financial Aid Office at jhsph.finaid@jhu.edu or 410-955-3004.

• Am I eligible for federal loans? If not, are there other loan options?

Federal loans are available to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. Eligibility for graduate federal loans is not based on financial need. Some loans are approved based upon a credit check of the applicant’s credit history. Students may be able to borrow up to their full cost of attendance.

Private education loans can supplement other forms of financial assistance and assist students who do not qualify for federal loans. International students may obtain a private education loan. Lenders may require that the student apply with a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident; however, some lenders will allow an international student to borrow on their own. Information on potential lenders is located on the JHU ELM Select website.

• Are there funding sources outside the School you would recommend exploring?

While the Bloomberg School provides scholarships to many students, there are some students we are unable to fund. We encourage students to pursue private outside scholarships to assist them in meeting their educational expenses. You may want to search our Funding Resources page for scholarship opportunities and resources to search for funding.

Related

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The Brown Scholarship Program: An Incubator for Extraordinary Ideas to Address Baltimore's Health Disparities—Darriel's story

The Guyer Scholarship Nurtures Maternal and Child Health and Development Research—Radhika's story