prospective students
Funding from Additional Sources
Because the need for financial aid is always greater than our Center alone can accommodate, candidates are highly encouraged to look into independent sources of funding at the same time as they are applying to the program. Candidates will not receive admissions decisions and financial aid award amounts from Georgetown until mid-March, at which time it is a bit late to start looking for additional aid.
When making your graduate school budget, be sure to plan for two years of study (for MAGES students) or more (for MAGES/PhD students). It is also important to keep in mind that the cost of education and expenses will increase from year-to-year; it is crucial to plan ahead.
Need-based Aid
Even with financial aid, most graduate students in the U.S. today expect to borrow money to pay for their graduate education. It is an investment that will pay off in the future, but it is crucial to plan carefully and make smart decisions.
MAGES applicants and current students should start by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services at Georgetown. If you are a prospective student, to ensure that you receive information about your eligibility for financial aid when you receive your admissions decision, you should apply for aid at the same time that you apply for admission to Georgetown. Continuing graduate students are encouraged to apply for need-based financial aid by April 15.
Loans and International Students
A graduate degree in the U.S. is expensive, especially when you aren't used to paying this much for education. Part of completing your education in the United States is accepting the "system." Most American students must borrow money to complete a graduate education, so it is reasonable to assume that an international student would need to do the same.
Despite what some loan "experts" say, there are a variety of loans available for international students. Consult this packet to find useful resources for need-based funding available to you.
As an international student, it is especially important that you plan your budget, research, and discuss your options with the OSFS and the Office of International Programs. Keep them informed and consult them whenever you have questions or difficulties.
Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants
MAGES applicants and students are highly competitive for outside sources of merit-based funding, such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Look through the following packets according to category and investigate any options that seem applicable to your situation. After looking at this website, continue to research funding options on these useful sites.
Aid for U.S. Citizens
Click here to browse through opportunities for MAGES applicants or current MAGES students who are U.S. citizens.Aid for non-U.S. Citizens
These scholarships and grants are for international students. See the general listings and the listings sorted by country of origin.Funding for Special Groups
Click here to view opportunities for groups in special funding categories, such as minorities, religious groups, students dealing with illnesses, etc...Georgetown Scholarship/ Fellowship Competitions
The scholarships listed here are administered through Georgetown University, the School of Foreign Service, or the BMW Center for German and European Studies. Contact Kim Jaeger for more information.Summer Grant Opportunities
Although the BMW Center provides funding to its students with the Gregory Flynn Student Summer Grants Program, students are encouraged to explore other means of funding summer activities as well. Here are some other means of funding summer opportunities, such as internships, language programs, etc...Post-Graduate Funding for MAGES Students
Listed here are common grants, fellowships, and scholarships that have been of interest to MAGES students after they finish the program. These are useful for pursuing professional opportunities, teaching jobs, and much more.Student Employment
Another source of funds for MAGI is working- either at a job unrelated to MAGES, or a job or paid internship relevant to your course of study. On-campus jobs are an option for MAGES students; it is not necessary to receive work-study money in order to work on campus. Georgetown's Student Employment Office has lists of jobs on campus. The SFS Career Development Center and the MBNA Career Education Center can assist you in finding jobs off campus. Outside sources on the Internet and print sources like The Washington Post are useful too.
The best option is to find a paid internship relevant to your course of study and/or your future career. Washington, D.C. is the internship capitol, so it's not too difficult to find positions for which to apply. Government agencies even offer paid internships; check the internship evaluation binder in the Center and the Internet for tips.