Types of Aid

Master's Degree Scholarships

Scholarships for master's students are based on merit and are awarded by the Chair of each Department. Funding is generally given each year of the student's program, provided that full-time status and satisfactory academic progress are maintained. Scholarships do not increase from year to year even though tuition will likely increase each year. If you are enrolled in a dual degree program and discontinue one of the programs, your scholarship may be reduced.

Weitzman Scholars

The Weitzman School of Design awards several full tuition scholarships to Weitzman Scholars – students whose backgrounds and experiences offer varying perspectives on living and learning in a multicultural world. These scholarships are renewable for a student's entire career, provided that students maintain full-time status and satisfactory academic progress.

Moelis Scholars

The Moelis Scholars Program provides financial and other support to students in the field of urban planning, particularly those who intend to pursue careers in public/private development or community and economic development. Consideration is given to the applicant's commitment to ensuring a range of perspectives and experiences in the field to enhance the excellence of the program and its mission. All students meeting these requirements are eligible for consideration and will be contacted by the program director for an interview if they are a semi-finalist. Please contact Akira Drake Rodriguez, Assistant Professor, at akirad@design.upenn.edu with any questions.

Dual Degree Students

Dual degree students whose programs are both within the Weitzman School generally receive the same scholarship amount throughout the length of their dual degree program. If the student discontinues one of the programs, their scholarship may be reduced. Students enrolled in external dual degree programs should work with the Weitzman School’s Financial Aid Office to map out the distribution of their scholarships.

Doctoral Degree Fellowships

The Weitzman School of Design offers a limited number of fellowships to admitted PhD students. These fellowships include full tuition, general fee, clinical fee, health insurance, and a twelve-month stipend. Fellowships are generally given each year for four years, provided that full-time status and satisfactory academic progress are maintained.

Outside Scholarships

We provide a list of outside scholarships on our website that may be available to our graduate students. This list is not exhaustive; you are encouraged to do your own research on outside scholarships.

In addition, Fastweb.com acts as an outside scholarship database. Students can set up a profile to determine potential eligibility for outside scholarships.

US Citizens and Permanent Residents

You will be eligible for the following loans if your FAFSA evaluation indicates that you need financial aid.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan 
This program is available to US citizens or Permanent Residents enrolled at least half-time in a master's or doctoral degree program. Students are expected to meet the first $20,500 of their need by borrowing under this program. Full-time students may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan
This alternative loan allows master's and doctoral students to borrow up to the cost of attendance less other aid, including the Direct Loan. Students must be US citizens or Permanent Residents, enrolled at least half-time in a master's or doctoral degree program, and not have defaulted on a prior educational loan. All Grad PLUS loan applicants are required to conduct a credit review.

Other Alternative Loans
Private lenders and other financial institutions offer education loans to students. These private alternative loans are not subsidized and have variable interest rates and differing levels of origination fees, both based on your credit score. In addition, cosigners may be required. Unlike Federal Direct and GradPLUS loans, private loans do not have an income-based cap on monthly repayments. Penn encourages US citizens and Permanent Residents to first consider the Federal Direct and Direct GradPLUS loan programs when they need to borrow.

If you have questions about loans, please visit Penn's Student Registration and Financial Services (SRFS) Graduate and Professional Loans website or email graduateaid@pobox.upenn.edu.

Foreign Nationals

Private Alternative Loans: Private lenders and other financial institutions offer some alternative educational loans; however, they usually require a US cosigner.

MPOWER Financing offers fixed interest rate loans to students within two years of graduating or about to begin a one or two-year program. There is no requirement for a cosigner, collateral, or credit history.

The Rowe Fund is an educational loan program of the Organization of American States (OAS) that helps citizens from Latin America and Caribbean OAS Member States finance their studies or research in accredited universities across the United States by awarding interest-free loans of up to $15,000 USD.

Loan Repayment

There are several loan repayment options for federal loans, including income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. Please visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

All students in the Weitzman School of Design are required to be enrolled full-time to receive their awarded financial aid. Although students may be employed on or off campus, it is not advised that they work more than 15-20 hours per week. Foreign national students entering under F-1 visas are permitted to work on campus but are prohibited by law from having employment off campus. More information can be found on Penn's Student Employment website.

Federal Work-Study

Federal work-study awards of up to $3,500 are granted by Student Financial Services. Work-study permits students to earn money in part-time jobs while attending school. This is a federal program based on financial need and is available only to US citizens and Permanent Residents. The work-study award represents the maximum earnings potential while employed under the program for the academic year (fall/spring). The award is not deducted from the student's University tuition bill. Once the student obtains a work-study job, the student is paid weekly by the employing department for those hours worked. If a student chooses not to use their work-study award, it will not affect the student's current financial aid package, or future eligibility for work-study. Students can choose to replace their work-study award with a loan.

Non-Work Study

Students who do not receive work-study and/or who are ineligible for work-study may still be employed on-campus.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching Assistantships (TA) are generally given to students in the final year of their programs. These students have shown specific skills in the areas for which TAs are used in their departments. TA positions are not awarded during the admissions process. TAs are paid directly for their work; there is no tuition remission. Students interested in a TA position should contact their department.

Graduate Resident Assistants

Penn College Houses and Academic Services (CHAS) hires Graduate Resident Advisors (GRA), graduate students who live in one of Penn’s 13 College Houses and provide counseling, academic support, supervision, and activities for resident students. The priority application is typically April 1. Visit the CHAS website for more information. 

The Weitzman School of Design is proud of our commitment to help America’s military veterans obtain a graduate education. Penn, in partnership with the federal government, will help fund the cost of tuition for veterans by participation in the Department of Veteran Affairs' Yellow Ribbon Program. Please visit the Veteran and Military-Affiliated Students website for more information or email fin-aid@design.upenn.edu.