• Tuition & Expenses
• Applying for Financial Assistance
• Fellowships & Scholarships
• Student Loans
• Work Study
• Sponsored Students
• Loan Repayment Assistance Program
• Financial Health Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions (Domestic Students)
• Frequently Asked Questions (International Students)
• Contact

Frequently Asked Questions (Domestic Students)

In my financial assistance recommendation letter, I was awarded a HKS sponsored merit fellowship. Will my fellowship be renewed for the second year of my degree program?

Yes, all HKS sponsored merit fellowships are renewed for the duration of your full time degree studies at the school.

Now that I have been admitted, is it too late to apply for financial aid?

In order to be considered for any need based scholarships or merit based fellowships, you must complete the appropriate financial aid documents by the financial aid deadline (February 1, 2008 for all two-year program applicants and March 24, 2008 for Mid-Career program applicants). If you have not done so, you may apply for need based financial aid in order to receive a loan only financial aid package as all merit and need based funds are awarded at the time that the applicants are admitted.

If I applied for need based financial aid, when will I receive my financial aid award letter?

Assuming that we have received the processed FAFSA from the Department of Education and your HKS need based application, two-year program admitted applicants should be able to access your financial assistance award through MYFAID about one week after their receive your admission notification. Mid-Career program admitted applicants will be able to access their financial assistance award through MYFAID in early-May.

When will I be notified if I have received a merit based award?

Merit based fellowships are awarded at the time of admission. Notification of this type of award will be viewable on your MYFAID account in the "Awards" tab. If your financial assistance award does not include a merit based fellowship, you may assume that you were not selected to receive a merit fellowship.

I have applied for the Catherine B. Reynolds Fellowship and/or the Zuckerman Fellowship, when will I hear a decision?

Notifications for recipients only will be sent out by April 1st of each year. If you have not received a letter indicating that you have received a Zuckerman or Reynolds Fellowship by April 7th, you may assume that you were not selected for the Fellowship.

Where can I research other sources of scholarship aid?

In order to help you in your personalized search for external sources of funding for your studies, see Fellowships and Scholarships.

I have secured funding from an outside sponsor, how should I notify HKS?

Please complete and submit the Sponsor Verification Form.

May I apply for a tuition waiver?

No.  Tuition waivers are not available at HKS.

Will I need to purchase health insurance through the University?

Massachusetts requires every enrolled student to have appropriate health insurance coverage. All students are automatically enrolled in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Insurance plan.

What if I already have my own health insurance?

The University Health Services (emergency on-campus) coverage is mandatory for all full-time registered students and is a separate charge from Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage. You may request a waiver of Blue Cross/Blue Shield health coverage through the University Health Services. Please review the information found in Immunization & Health Services section under the Enroll @ HKS tab on the New Admit website.

When may I apply for a private/alternative/supplemental educational loan?

The earliest you may apply for private/alternative loans is June 1, 2008 for the 2008-2009 academic year. Please note that you must receive a financial aid award from the Student Financial Services Office before proceeding with any loan application.

Is there any assistance available for repayment of my loans?

HKS is committed to excellence in government; we recognize that graduates are faced with significant amounts of educational debt and the reality of low paying public sector jobs. HKS' Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) currently enables graduates to enter these positions by funding educational loan repayment.

May I work while I attend HKS?

It is highly recommended that students do not work in the first year of study as the course schedule is rigorous and the degree program should be the first priority. After having adjusted to the schedule, a student could consider working as a course assistant, teaching fellow or a similar position.

Many students choose to work during their second year of studies in order to reduce the amount of loan borrowing for living expenses. The spectrum of annual earnings ranges from $1,000 to $11,000 for the academic year depending upon the position. Students may also find employment or paid internships during the school winter, spring, and summer breaks.

If I have an additional question or need further guidance, whom do I contact?

Please refer to the Contact section for information on ways to contact the Student Financial Services Office.