MERIT-BASED AID
All applicants who complete their application by the deadline and check off the box on the application form indicating that they wish to be considered for fellowships, scholarships, or instructional associate positions will be considered for merit-based aid. We make merit aid decisions based on promise (in the case of aid awarded after admission but before the start of the program) and on performance (aid awarded once classes have begun). Approximately 30% of our students receive some form of merit-based aid. Very few of our awards cover all costs associated with study at Newhouse; most are partial. Please read descriptions below of the types of aid available.
The Graduate School annually awards up to six University African American Graduate Fellowships to support graduate training for full-time matriculated African American students who demonstrate outstanding qualifications. Recipients are awarded a 30-credit tuition scholarship plus a stipend to help cover living expenses. These awards are University-wide and extremely competitive. Students who are selected must take at least one course each semester in the University's African-American Studies Program; Newhouse students may use their elective credits to fulfill this requirement. The Associate Dean for Professional Graduate Studies nominates up to three of our most outstanding applicants and a University-wide committee makes the decisions.
Ronald E. McNair Graduate Fellowships
Syracuse University annually funds up to six McNair Graduate Fellowships as part of its federally funded, institution-wide Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement Program. The program's goal is to increase the number of low-income, first-generation and underrepresented minority college students who pursue and complete the doctoral degree. The Fellowships consist of a stipend and a full-tuition scholarship (up to 30 credits for the academic year). To be eligible, applicants must have been McNair Scholars at their undergraduate institutions.
Turner Diversity Fellowship
In January 2007, Turner Broadcasting System and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University announced the establishment of the Turner Diversity Fellowship Program. Backed by a two-year, $140,000 gift from Turner, the program will fund Newhouse students who are U.S. citizens from underrepresented groups who are pursuing graduate study in the areas of advertising; media management; broadcast journalism; television, radio, and film; or new media. The two students selected each year will not only receive a fully-funded master’s degree from Newhouse, they also will be guaranteed a job with Turner Communications upon graduation.
Interested applicants need only apply to one of the programs specified, indicate membership in a minority group, and check off the fellowships/scholarships box and they will be considered. Two Turner Diversity fellows will be chosen from finalists selected to interview with Turner during the admissions review process.
Newhouse Foundation Fellowship/Internship for Minorities
Established in 1993, these awards are given annually to two minority students who wish to enroll in the Magazine, Newspaper and Online Journalism program and pursue a newspaper career. Only students who have majored in subjects other than journalism at the undergraduate level are eligible. Funded by the Newhouse Foundation, each award provides free tuition and a $1,100 a month stipend for 18 months of study (during which time the student also works as a reporting and editing intern at the Syracuse Newspapers). Upon graduation each fellow may receive a year-long paid internship at a Newhouse newspaper.
Liu Foundation Multicultural Scholarships
Established in 2003, these $10,000 awards are designated for outstanding applicants who demonstrate financial need, have a background and/or interest in multicultural communications, and demonstrate a career interest related to multicultural communications. Such background interest might be indicated by undergraduate study abroad, an undergraduate major in a foreign language, and/or communications work experience in a non-U.S. setting. Applicants who wish to be considered for a Liu Foundation Multicultural Scholarship should include an additional essay (500-word maximum) with their application indicating their interest in multicultural communications.
Dean's Fellowships
These are competitive awards for our most outstanding applicants. They provide 15 credits of tuition as well as a stipend of $5,850 to help cover living expenses.
Dean's Scholarships
These scholarships support graduate education for students with superior qualifications. Academic departments recommend students to receive these scholarships. These are one-time, dollar awards in the amounts of $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000.
Instructional Associates
Newhouse has a number of instructional associates (IA) who spend from 5 to 20 hours per week helping faculty members with classes or labs. They are paid $13 an hour and also receive tuition scholarships (usually 6 or 9 credits per semester, depending on the position). Some positions are just for one semester and others are for the academic year; it depends on what courses are being taught for a particular semester. IAs assist with classes by leading discussion sessions, helping with grading and meeting with students during office hours. Some also work in our labs, helping undergraduate students with specialized equipment. All students selected for IA positions must attend both a University training program and departmental training sessions. These programs occur immediately after the end of the summer boot camp, during the break before fall semester classes.
Graduate Assistants
Several offices and research centers within Newhouse also hire graduate students to work from 10-20 hours a week at a rate of $13 an hour for the academic year. Some of these positions also offer tuition benefits (usually 6 credits per semester, depending on the position). Some positions are administrative in nature while others involve research duties. Most of these positions are advertised during the summer after students are enrolled.