Financial Assistance

The Bush School provides a number of merit and criteria-based financial awards for students to support their graduate study. Both domestic and international students are eligible for consideration, unless otherwise noted. Awards can range from a laptop computer scholarship to a full fellowship, and all students currently receive awards at some level. Criteria for consideration are listed below. Please note that while need-based aid is not considered here at the Bush School, it is at Texas A&M University's Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. U.S. citizens and permanent residents interested in federal aid should fill out the FAFSA form as they apply. International students seeking additional financial support should look to TAMU's International Student Services website for information.

Scholarships

No separate application is required for award consideration. We will grant types/amounts in February and March.

Bush School

George Bush School (GBS) scholarships are the centerpiece of the school's financial aid program. The scholarships are merit-based and all admitted students without significant sponsorship/fellowships are considered. Levels of aid vary in increments from $1,000 to $15,000 a year. GBS scholarships do not require a work commitment in exchange for the aid and are renewed and prorated in the second year if performance is maintained at a pre-determined level.

Technology scholarships are a $1,000, one-time award for virtually all students to procure a Dell laptop computer for use in our wireless environment (receipts are required).

Non-resident tuition waivers are available for non-resident applicants. Any scholarship awarded by Texas A&M or its programs worth $1,000 or more qualifies non-resident recipients for residential rates, saving about $7,000 per year. We currently use this to its fullest extent for all non-residents, enabling out-of-state and international students to pay approximately $11,000 per year.

The Robertson Fellows Program, funded by The Robertson Foundation for Government and the Bush School, is an opportunity for students with a commitment to a career in the federal government in foreign policy, national security, and/or international affairs to receive funding to cover full expenses associated with completing a master's degree in two years. Support includes a mix of tuition/fee and living aid as well as enhancements through subsidized health insurance and internship support. Fellows in year one will be on full scholarship support and year two will be a blend of scholarship resources and assistantship responsibilities.

This program also includes special meetings with the Fellows nationally and with Foundation staff, assistance in securing federal employment, and opportunities to network with Robertson alumni. Selected fellows will be U.S. citizens, must have proficiency in a foreign language by graduation, and are required to work for the federal government for three of their initial five years after graduation.

Texas A&M University

The Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) has a number of highly competitive scholarships (Graduate Merit and Diversity) awarded through a departmental nomination process. Students must meet the priority application deadline, be exceptionally competitive academically, and/or be a protected minority or be minority service-oriented to be considered by the Bush School. Their worth can be over $28,000 a year.

Graduate Assistantships

Bush School

Graduate research assistants (GARs) may provide a source of financial aid for second-year students within the Bush School. These also are competitively awarded, with academic achievement in year one as a central consideration. Graduate assistants work with faculty or staff for 20 hours of service per week, earning a stipend and insurance aid. Some of these are tied to the above OGS awards.

Texas A&M University

Graduate assistants (GAs) performing either research or teaching may also be procured elsewhere on the TAMU campus through the TAMU student employment site, as well as networking on campus. Graduate assistants in other departments also work with faculty or staff for 20 hours of service per week, earning a stipend and insurance aid.

Off-Campus Work

The Bush School discourages students from trying to manage outside work obligations with rigorous class requirements, particularly during the first semester and/or year. With a typical load of 12 credit hours and an abundance of activities and collaborative assignments to pursue, any student receiving an assistantship or taking a supplemental part-time job must exercise careful time management.

National Awards

The Bush School encourages students to procure national awards by searching and applying for fellowships and scholarships related to their interests. A few below may be worth pursuing.

Truman Scholarships
McNair Graduate Scholarships
Service Organization Stipends/Scholarships (including Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America)
DHS Scholarship and Fellowships
Charles B Rangel International Affairs Fellowships
Thomas R Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowships
David L Boren Scholarships

TAMU Financial Aid

Students are strongly encouraged to apply for other forms of financial aid, including grants and loans, by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Texas A&M University
2nd floor, The Pavilion
College Station, TX 77843-1252
(979) 845-3236
(979) 847-9061 Fax
http://financialaid.tamu.edu

* Funding each year is subject to change depending on fiscal constraints, levels of enrollment, and other conditions.

Veteran Services Office

Texas A&M University has a long-standing tradition of association with the military. Students receive both federal and state veteran education benefits in programs like the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, Post 9/11 GI Bill, Reserve Educational Assistance Program, Yellow Ribbon Program, the Hazelwood Exemption, State Tuition Reimbursement Assistance and more. More can be found at https://veterans.tamu.edu.