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Graduate Tuition

Financing Your Graduate Education at the School of Information Studies

Students interested in enrolling in our top-ranked master's degree programs in information management, library and information science, and telecommunications and network management, sometimes worry that they wont be able to afford such high-caliber programs. Upon closer look, they often discover that the many funding opportunities available to students at the School of Information Studies make a Syracuse University education a more attractive option than some programs that initially appear to be less expensive.

The School of Information Studies, as well as Syracuse University, offers several merit-based scholarships and fellowships to help students cover the cost of tuition, and some programs even provide stipends for books and housing. Students can also apply for need-based assistance through federal loan programs and private lenders. We encourage all students to apply for these awards and assistance programs.

Ph.D. students: click here for funding opportunities unique to doctoral education.

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid Office Estimated Cost of Attendance for Graduate School: http://financialaid.syr.edu/COA-grad.htm

School of Information Studies Fees 2009-2010

In addition to the costs listed above, the School of Information Studies charges a fee to support the acquisition and maintenance of the latest technology necessary for its programs. The fee is charged each semester according to the following schedule.

Graduate Students

  • 3 credit hours or less = $75
  • 4 to 8 credit hours = $125
  • 9 credit hours or more = $175

Non-School Majors = $50 per course

Merit-Based Financial Aid

All students are eligible to apply for merit-based awards from Syracuse University and the School of Information Studies, although some awards are directed toward specific populations such as library and information science students, U.S. citizens, or students from under-represented groups. For information about University awards, visit http://gradsch.syr.edu/suresources.htm.

Awards and Programs for School of Information Studies Students

Graduate Assistance Available Within the School
Each year, the School of Information Studies provides graduate assistance to several students in each of its masters degree programs. Graduate assistance provides tuition and a monetary stipend in exchange for 10 to 20 hours of administrative or research assistance. Students provide support to the Schools faculty and program directors, web site, instructional technology labs, and publications.

All admitted students who provide a resume and indicate that they would like to be considered for aid on their application will be considered for graduate assistantships, financial awards, and credit awards. For a list of GA positions and awards available to students enrolled in each of the masters level programs in School of Information Studies, visit the following links:

Financial Support from Syracuse University
The University administers several programs that offer tuition and financial support to students pursuing graduate education, especially students from under-represented populations and those enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematic fields. For more information on these programs, follow the links listed below:

Need-Based Financial Aid and Student Loans

Many graduate students nationwide rely on one or more forms of need-based financial aid to help meet the costs of their studies. Syracuse University is primarily in the form of loan programs and college work-study. Those in professional masters degree programs, in particular, may find the investment made in their education is returned in greater opportunities upon entering or returning to the job market.

Syracuse University encourages all graduate students to apply for any types of aid for which they may be eligible. Students sometimes find that although they were not eligible for need-based aid as undergraduates or previous graduate students, they qualify in subsequent years.

Descriptions and guidelines for all financial aid programs are subject to change at any time as a result of new or amended state or federal legislation or changes in Syracuse University policies. Graduate students who are U.S. citizens may inquire about need-based financial aid through the Office of Financial Aid, 200 Archbold North, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1140 or call 315-443-1513.

Graduate students can find out information on University resources and student loans at http://financialaid.syr.edu/Graduate.htm.

Applying for Aid

U.S. Citizens/Eligible Non-Citizens
To apply for need-based financial aid, applicants must first fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Syracuse University does not accept the Graduate and Professional Student Financial Aid Service (GAPSFAS) form. The FAFSA is available from the financial aid offices of most colleges and universities, as well as most high school guidance offices.

Matriculated students enrolled in six credits or more are eligible to apply for:

  • Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
  • Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
  • Federal PLUS Loans

They can also take out alternative loans from private lenders, who provide their own loan guidelines based on each student applicants creditworthiness. For more information, visit http://financialaid.syr.edu/gradloans.htm.

Distance Learning Students
Distance learning students inquire through the Continuing Education Office at 315-443-3261 or finaid@uc.syr.edu.

International Students

While international students are not eligible for federal loans, they may be eligible for loans through private lenders. Some of these lenders require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizens or legal permanent resident. Others, such as the CitiAssit Global Loan, do not require a co-signer. For more information, visit http://gradsch.syr.edu/international.htm or http://financialaid.syr.edu/International.htm.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement Discount

The School of Information Studies will match up to one third the cost of tuition for masters students receiving tuition reimbursement from not-for-profit organizations. Admitted students should submit a letter from his/her employer that support his/her education and details the tuition reimbursement. Submit to: Sue Corieri, RE: Graduate Financial Aid, 245 Hinds Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244.

Other Sources

Of course, this represents a small sampling of the funding opportunities available to graduate students. Several organizations provide scholarship and tuition assistance to students seeking graduate degrees. Some resources to help locate other funding sources include the following:

To aid students in the search for merit based awards outside of the university and school, several lists have been compiled for reference:

2009 Facutly Assistant Program

Goals of this program:

  • Promote faculty-student engagement
  • Provide financial support opportunity to all incoming, full-time, campus-based master’s students

All new master’s students will be eligible to participate in our faculty assistant program, which provides an hourly wage of $10/hour. We can assure each student a minimum work assignment of 10 hours per week, and he/she can receive this support throughout the fall semester. Assuming positive performance of duties, the work assignments may also extend into spring semester. Note that this work assignment does not include health benefits. The applications and details of this program and the listings of positions will be available at orientation in August.

Upstate IT Scholarships

Increasing the Upstate Information Technology Talent Pool

Information professionals have rich opportunities in Upstate New York. In Central New York alone, there are currently 600 technology-related positions available with not enough qualified candidates to fill them. The Syracuse University School of Information Studies (iSchool) sees an opportunity to educate area residents to assume these technically focused open positions and strengthen the economic vitality of Upstate New York.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the iSchool will offer the Upstate IT Scholarships--a select number of 50-percent tuition scholarships to qualified applicants. That means the iSchool will cover 50 percent of the tuition costs for the academic year.

More information.


Visit Syracuse University's Financial Aid Office web site for additional information regarding financial aid. 

The City of Syracuse has a vibrant cultural scene, with dozens of festivals and scores of restaurants encircling urban hubs like the scenic Clinton Square.
The School of Information Studies at Syracuse University held its iOpening celebration at its new home in Hinds Hall on the Main Campus Quad. The festivities included a digital ribbon cutting of a virtual red ribbon wrapped around an image of Hinds Hall.

Founded in 1870, Syracuse University has an enrollment of approximately 11,500 undergraduate and 5,000 graduate students, who come from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Each year, Syracuse University brings to campus prestigious speakers to address students, including acclaimed memoirist and Pulitzer Prize winner Frank McCourt.