An investment in a master’s degree can enhance your skills in the workplace, make you more marketable, and increase your salary. For students who plan to pursue a doctoral degree, the master’s at Brandeis provides an important credential. With your goals in mind, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will work with you to help you to realize the greatest return on your educational investment.
All awards are contingent on the conditions set out annually in the University Bulletin, including (but not limited to) satisfactory academic progress and changes in student status.
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Many of our master's programs offer merit scholarships. Often awarded at the time of admission, merit scholarships do not require a separate application unless noted for a particular program. These awards are given to both international students and U.S. citizens. Scholarships usually partially cover tuition.
Some of our master’s programs allow you to enroll part-time, thus giving you the ability to continue working and pay tuition on a course-by-course basis. Merit scholarships are typically available for part-time students as well, which can greatly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Merit scholarship availability and amounts may vary by department. Merit scholarships are only awarded during the student's residency semesters, typically one or two years depending on the program.
Many of our master's programs offer need-based scholarships. Domestic students apply for a need-based scholarship by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Brandeis code is 002133. We encourage applicants to fill out the FAFSA at the same time they apply to their graduate program. International applicants who receive an offer of admission to an eligible program should follow the instructions in their award letter to submit the CSS Profile to apply for need-based aid. Scholarships typically partially cover tuition.
Some of our master’s programs allow you to enroll part-time, thus giving you the ability to continue working and pay tuition on a course-by-course basis. Need-based scholarships are typically available for part-time students as well, which can greatly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Need-based scholarship availability and amounts may vary by department. Need-based scholarships are only awarded during the student’s residency semesters, typically one or two years depending on the program.
The DEIS Scholarship is designed to enable U.S. citizens and permanent residents from historically underrepresented backgrounds (including first generation college graduates), as well as those who demonstrate a history of activism in support of underrepresented communities, to benefit from a world-class Brandeis education. Eligible applicants pursuing a full-time master's in our Biotechnology programs will be considered for this scholarship. The DEIS award consists of a full-tuition scholarship, a stipend, and a full credit toward a Brandeis health insurance plan. For more information about the scholarship and program eligibility, please use the link above.
We are proud to offer a $2,000 per year
scholarship for Brandeis alums (or current Brandeis seniors who have their bachelor's degree by the time they start a master's program) who are admitted into most GSAS master's programs. Please use the link above to see eligible programs. This scholarship is awarded at the time of admission. Alum scholarships are only awarded during the student’s residency semesters, typically one or two years depending on the program.
We are proud to offer a $2,000 per year
scholarship for members of the Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) who are admitted into most GSAS master’s programs. Please use the link above to see eligible programs. This scholarship is awarded at the time of admission. IRT scholarships are only awarded during the student’s residency semesters, typically one or two years depending on the program.
Brandeis University offers service-based scholarships and application fee waivers to alums/staff of the following Service Programs* who apply to participating master's degree programs (provided they meet eligibility requirements):
*Peace Corps: Though we do not have a formalized agreement, we appreciate your service to the Peace Corps, and will consider your participation when packaging your financial award, in addition to offering an application fee waiver.
For all of the above awards, questions should be directed to stephaniehunt@brandeis.edu. Please note that the service-based scholarships may not available in combination with each other and/or another Brandeis award (i.e. alum scholarship, merit award, etc.). If you are eligible for a Brandeis award that is higher than the service award, we will award the higher amount at the discretion of GSAS. Awards are not final until issued through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Research and/or course assistantships are available in several master’s programs. Please check with your department of interest to see if it awards assistantships and what the work component may entail. Assistantships do not require a separate application unless noted for a particular program. Both international and U.S. applicants are considered for assistantships. Assistantships are paid to students biweekly in the form of a stipend check.
Established in 2018, the Toshizo Watanabe International Scholarship Program (TWISP) at Brandeis University is committed to providing students from Japan with the opportunity to study at Brandeis University. Watanabe Scholars include graduate and undergraduate students from Japan who have studied, or are currently studying, at Keio University, Waseda University and other top-tier Japanese universities with which Brandeis has a partnership agreement. Read more about TWISP on the International Students and Scholars Office website.
Students who have completed their program residency requirement, but not their degree requirements, are considered Extended Master’s students. Extended Master’s students pay a fee (significantly lower than the regular tuition rate) and are not eligible for Brandeis scholarships. For more details, please visit: Extended Master’ Status Policy
Fee waivers are available for extended master's students under certain specific circumstances listed at the link.