Graduate Tuition and Fees
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for current graduate tuition rates and deadlines.
Visit Registration and Records for information about establishing or documenting residency. ​
Financial Aid
There are many ways for you to offset the cost of your degree, including scholarships, need-based grants, and loans. Full-time MPA students typically qualify for up to $20,500.00 in unsubsidized federal loans per academic year.
How to apply for Financial Aid
Most aid is need-based and requires filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (eligible U.S. citizens or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid () for eligible non-citizen Washington residents. Include 18½ûÂþÉç’s school code..
18½ûÂþÉç’s School Code: 008155
For financial aid purposes, 8 credits per quarter is considered full-time and 4 credits per quarter is part-time. To stay eligible for federal aid, you must take at least 4 credits per quarter.
Military, Veterans and Dependents
The Veteran's Resource Center will help you receive all the benefits you have earned through your service. Contact them directly for questions and support.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you go into public service, the federal government forgives student loans to recipients who work for at least 10 years in public service!
Scholarships and Sponsored Aid Awards
Applications for the 2026-27 academic year open Spring 2026.
We offer a variety of sponsored aid opportunities: tuition waivers, scholarships, and need-based or merit-based aid.
New students must submit their application to the program by the priority deadline of February 1st to be eligible for scholarships and sponsored aid.
Students must be admitted to the college and activate their new student account to access the scholarship portal, so it is critical that new students complete the application for admission prior to February 1st.
To be considered for program sponsored aid, apply via the AwardSpring scholarship application portal using your 18½ûÂþÉç username and password.
MPA Sponsored Aid Opportunities
Alumni and Friends Fellowship
Offered yearly
This award will be made to a program student who has a demonstrated commitment to community service.
Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA application must be received by March 1st.
- Amount: $2,000.00 to one recipient
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
AmeriCorps Education Award
Offered yearly
Demonstrated commitment to community service through one year or more of AmeriCorps service.
No FAFSA or WASFA application is required.
- Amount: Varies with funding, but no more than one quarter of resident tuition. Maximum of nine recipients.
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application, essay (250 words), letter of recommendation, and AmeriCorps service letter.
Foundation Graduate Fellowships
Offered yearly
Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA application must be received by March 1st.
- Amount: $6,500.00 each to two recipients.
Graduate Fellowship Trust
Offered yearly
Academic merit, financial need and commitment to continued intellectual and professional development.
Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA application must be received by March 1st.
- Amount: $1,480.00 each to four recipients
- Application Materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
Judge Carol Fuller Graduate Fellowship
Offered yearly
Awarded to a program student with past experience or future plans related to helping young children living in or near poverty conditions.
No FAFSA or WASFA required.
- Amount: $1,865.00 to one recipient
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
Laurance Geri and Rachel Friedman Scholarship
Offered yearly
Amount: $1,425.00 awarded to one full-time recipient
Master of Public Administration Merit Award
Offered yearly
One or more awards for program students who demonstrate academic excellence in their program application (new admits) or core coursework (continuing students).
No FAFSA or WASFA application required.
- Amount: $1,312.00 each to eight recipients
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application
Master of Public Administration Tribal Governance Program Endowment
Offered yearly
Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA application must be received by March 1st.
- Amount: $3,515.00 distributed among one or more recipients
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
Washington State Employee Tuition Waivers
Offered yearly
Employees of 18½ûÂþÉç, other Washington state government agencies and public K-12 staff may be eligible for one or more tuition waiver programs offered by college. Information about eligibility criteria, restrictions and application process and materials is available under registering with a waiver section of the Registration website.
Forms must be turned into the MPA program. Spaces are limited and eligibility is not a guarantee of a waiver. Due date for the form is September 1st.
Learn more at Registration and Records
Sara Ann Bilezikian Fellowship in Sustainability
Offered in even numbered admission years (Next: 2026-27 AY)
Two-year award made to a program student admitted in an even-numbered year who is studying sustainability.
No FAFSA or WASFA application is required.
- Amount: Approximately $16,215.00 per year for two years and awarded to one applicant 2024-25/2025-26
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application, essay (250 words), resume and letter of recommendation
Senator John McCoy Honorary Scholarship
Offered in even numbered admission years (Next: 2026-27 AY)
This is a two-year award that is given in even-numbered years to a Tribal Governance cohort student whose pursuit of higher education connects with their desire to give back to their community.
No FAFSA or WASFA application is required.
- Amount: $4,250.00 per year for two years for one student enrolled in the Tribal Governance cohort
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application, resume and essay (250 words)
Soule Family Fellowship
Offered in even numbered admission years (Next: 2026-27 AY)
Awarded every other year to a program student with a demonstrated commitment to students doing work in the area of environmental studies and/or public health.
Financial need is considered and a FAFSA or WASFA application must be received by March 1st.
- Amount: $2,540.00 to one applicant
- Application materials: Completed sponsored aid application and essay (250 words)
Sue Crystal Tribal MPA Student Support Scholarship
Offered in even numbered admission years (Next: 2026-27 AY)
Awarded in the Winter Quarter of even-numbered years to Tribal Governance cohort students with a demonstrated need of funding for their upcoming capstone project. Recipients must be in good academic standing.
No FAFSA or WAFSA application is required.
- Amount: $500 - $1,000 for 3 to 5 students awarded in Spring 2026
- Application materials: Application process will be announced when this award is available
Hearst Foundation Endowed Scholarship
Offered when funds are available to MPA Students
Amount: Varies based on availability. Contact MPA with questions.