Trending Searches
We know how important funding and financial decisions can be in making graduate school a possibility. Most Brown School students combine multiple sources to finance their educational and living expenses while attending their graduate program. We encourage students to develop a funding strategy early in their graduate school search and offer these additional resources as your create your financial plan.
The Brown School offers a range of partial-tuition scholarships to assist students with funding their graduate degree. These scholarships include a combination of merit and need-based awards that recognize the variety of strengths, experiences, endeavors, and personal histories our students offer. The admissions committee considers several factors in determining scholarship awards: financial need, academic achievement, leadership and service, professional accomplishments, contributions to family and community, and commitment to equity and social justice. See a full list of our available scholarships.
These awards are available to both domestic and international students. Applicants interested in Brown School scholarship support must complete the Brown School Scholarship Consideration form within their application for admission.
To receive priority consideration for admission and scholarship awards, please apply for admission by one of our priority deadlines: December 1 for early review or March 1 for priority review. After these deadlines, scholarships will be awarded based on the availability of funds.
Looking for a scholarship opportunity? Interested in getting to know some of the major sponsorship agencies supporting graduate and professional education around the world? The WashU Graduate Center offers a searchable funding database to help students locate various stipends, scholarships, research grants, and awards.
Search the database
Additional external scholarship resources:
Dreamers Roadmap App
Education USA
EduPass
Immigrants Rising
Institute of International Education
Sallie Mae
The majority of Brown School students work part-time while completing their graduate studies. Brown School students have access to a variety of campus-based employment opportunities, fellowships, and research assistantships. Eligible students can also pursue off-campus employment, but international students are only eligible to work on campus for no more than 20 hours per week per their visa requirements.
Part-Time Employment
*The Gephardt Institute Fellowship application is now available for incoming Fall 2025 MSW students. Applications are due by March 1, 2025. Learn more online.
The Brown School offers many on campus opportunities for part-time student employment, including Federal Work-Study eligible positions. Campus-based employment opportunities include roles in communications, information technology, business services, administrative positions, facilities and library services, among others.
Many Brown School faculty and research centers hire students to work as research assistants, offering outstanding opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research with faculty mentors.
Other WashU departments also actively seek out graduate students for part-time positions. Previously, Brown School students have been employed with campus departments including:
Incoming students can search for open part-time positions—as well as part-time work opportunities at local human service organizations— once their student WashU email has been set up using Handshake, the Center for Career Engagement’s career management platform.
Paid Internships & Practica
A limited number of our field education sites have funding to pay students to complete their required internships or practica. You can obtain information about paid practica opportunities from the Office of Field Education.
Domestic students wishing to be considered for Federal Financial Aid (work-study and student loans) should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic year. Students will need their most recent tax return, Federal Student Aid ID, and WashU’s school code of 002520. Students file as independents and no parent application is needed. For masters-level students, FAFSA results will NOT impact any already-granted Brown School Scholarship award.
Read more about federal student aid requirements and eligibility here.
Students typically combine Brown School scholarships, loans, and employment funds with additional support from other groups. These may include:
International students have separate requirements for providing proof of financial support related to visa processing. Doctoral students are eligible for stipends and fellowships to help cover their program costs if admitted. Follow the links below to learn more.
Terms to Know
Top Tips from Students
Filling out the FAFSA
WashU Graduate Center
Funding Your Degree Info Session
Federal Student Aid Video Playlists