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Merit-Based Financial Aid

The United States institute of Leadership and Diplomacy offers merit-based awards on a competitive basis to incoming and continuing students. The primary purpose of this financial assistance is to support qualified graduate students in the pursuit of their academic careers and the timely completion of their Graduate School degrees.

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Three forms of merit-based awards are available for doctoral students: scholarships, PhD assistantships and PhD fellowships. Two forms of merit-based awards are available for master’s students: scholarships and master’s stipends (see chart below). Merit-based awards are given on the recommendation of each academic program. To be considered for merit-based aid, simply answer “yes” to the financial aid/scholarship question within the online application.

Full details on the procedures, policies and type of awards are available on the Financial Support Policies page, found in the Recipient Obligations Statement.

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Detailed award letters are distributed once every academic year. Only one year of award information is provided at a time.

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Continuation and renewal of awards are contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the degree as determined by the academic program and the Graduate School.

Students should speak with their academic programs about specific merit criteria and the possibility of renewing awards for a future semester or year.

Financial Support Policies

Everyone receiving some form of graduate school financial aid during the current academic year must be familiar with this information. This includes anyone receiving a scholarship (including language scholarships), PhD assistantship, PhD fellowship, and/or master’s stipend award. Please review this information carefully.

Topics Covered:

  • Funding and Academic Policies

  • Forms and Tax Information

  • Obtaining Social Security or IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers

  • Payment Processing Procedures for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Resident Status

Apply Orpe Scholarship Here

Types of Merit Awards Available

Types of Awards

Scholarship

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Definition

Partial or full award to cover coursework required for your degree.

 

*Does not include Student fees

Method of Distribution

Paid directly to Revenue & Receivables

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Types of Awards

PhD Assistantship

Definition

Stipend award for service

Method of Distribution

Paid directly to the student

Types of Awards

PhD Fellowship

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Definition

Stipend with no service obligation

Method of Distribution

Paid directly to the student

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Types of Awards

Master’s Stipend

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Definition

Stipend with no service obligation

Method of Distribution

Paid directly to the student

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Duration of Awards

Student

Ph.D. student

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Matriculation

Matriculated with full Graduate School merit scholarship plus stipend package

Duration

Four-year commitment

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Student

Ph.D. student

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Matriculation

Matriculated with a partial Graduate School merit package OR no merit package

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Duration

Semester to semester or year to year.

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Up to five years, counted continuously from point of matriculation into Ph.D. program

Student

Master's student

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Matriculation

Matriculated with full Graduate School merit scholarship plus stipend package

Duration

Four-year commitment

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