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Affording Your MSISPM Degree


Your education is one of the most valuable investments you will ever make. We can help you pay for it.

The question of how to finance your education is no doubt a factor in your decision to apply to grad school, and where you choose to apply.

We are here to help you determine how much your master's program will cost, and give you strategies and options for how to pay for it.

Below, you will find detailed information on scholarships, student employment opportunities, and loans to help offset the cost of your MSISPM education. If you have any questions about student finances, please contact the Office of Admissions via email at hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu, or give us a call at 412-268-2164.

Scholarships


Applicants to the MSISPM program can be considered for any of the following applicable scholarship opportunities:

EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS

“External" or “outside” scholarships are any scholarships not awarded by the university.

MSISPM prospective and admitted/enrolling students are encouraged to consider applying for the DoD’s SMART scholarship program. CLICK HERE for more information. The selection process and related policies (including the deadline) are determined by the DoD. Between 2008 and 2020, 32 CMU students have been awarded this scholarship.

MSISPM prospective and admitted/enrolling students are also encouraged to consider applying for the State Department's Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship. Heinz College will provide the difference between its tuition and the FAIT Fellowship tuition assistance to students selected as FAIT Fellows (in addition to a living stipend provided by the FAIT Fellowship).

MSISPM is an eligible program for a number of other external scholarships specific to the field of cyber security. To review more information about these awards, please CLICK HERE.

Generally speaking, searching for outside scholarships can be a tedious process if you don't know where to start. Click here for information on Carnegie Mellon's website to help you get started on your search for external scholarship support from a broad range of external organizations and sources. Additionally, MSISPM students can utilize the Cybersecurity Scholarship Guide to focus their search for field-related awards they can use to support their graduate education.

Student Employment Opportunities


For many MSISPM students, working via a paid internship or work-study position is a big part of life at Heinz College. In a given year, more than 200 Heinz College students subsidize the cost of their education by taking advantage of student employment opportunities during the academic year or over the summer. These positions allow students to earn the $16,000 in work-study awards to which they have access. They also provide valuable skills and networking opportunities that students can draw upon when they enter the workforce after graduation.

As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS), Federal Community Service Work Study (FCSWS), or Non-Federal Work Study positions to help offset your educational expenses.

Please see below for a brief description of each student employment opportunity:

Loans

As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible for federal direct loans or private education loans. For more information on the loans for which you may be eligible, including detailed instructions for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, please visit the Carnegie Mellon University Student Financial Services website.

estimated Cost of attendance

Please visit the student Financial Services website for the estimated cost of attendance for Master of Science in Information Security Policy and Management (MSISPM) students before scholarships. All figures are estimates and are subject to change. These budgets provide you with information about costs associated with attending the program and serve as the basis for determining federal financial aid awards.

COST OF LIVING

In deciding where to attend graduate school, you must consider a number of factors. Be sure to devote appropriate attention to the Cost of Living in the various cities you are considering for graduate school. If you are going to relocate and spend two years in graduate school, why not select a place where your money goes further?

Compared to Pittsburgh, the cost of living is 36% higher in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, 46% higher in San Francisco, and 58% higher in New York (Manhattan). (Want to work in one of those places? Fear not: Our alumni get jobs all over the country.)

Pittsburgh's combination of affordability, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and our booming tech scene make it an unbeatable destination for grad school. And there is no trade-off: Pittsburgh retains its modest cost of living while offering a vibrant cultural scene, nightlife, outdoor activities, college and professional sports teams, and so much more

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See MSISPM estimated cost of attendance

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Frequently Asked Questions


Didn't find what you were looking for? Check out our Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information on any of the topics or processes outlined above.

FAQs