Gender and Cultural Studies, History and Public Policy

Merit Scholarships

Applicants who submit a completed application are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, and no additional application is required. These scholarships are awarded by the Admission Committee based on the "merit" or strength of an application in comparison to all other completed and eligible applications for that same semester. Applicants who receive an award will have an award letter included with their admission decision letter. Recipients must maintain a minimum registration level as outlined in their award letter, and must also maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 during the semester(s) they are awarded. International students are eligible for merit scholarships.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a federal loan forgiveness program targeted at students who hold Federal Direct Loan debt and who pursue public service careers. This program is available to employees of qualifying government or non-profit organizations who have made at least 120 qualifying monthly payments.

City Year

Simmons is a proud member of City Year's University Partnership Program.

Any new applicant who has been employed or is a graduate of City Year is eligible for an application fee waiver. Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies Admission at [email protected] to obtain an application fee waiver code.

• All applicants who list City Year employment on the resume/CV included in their application for admission will receive automatic consideration for City Year Partnership Scholarships.
• Awards will be equal to at least a 25% tuition discount in full graduate degree programs.
• Admitted students will be permitted to defer enrollment by one year if they decide to stay with City Year for additional time before starting their studies. Students who are awarded the City Year Partnership Scholarship may not defer their award, but will be eligible for full reconsideration for the new intended start term.
• Applicants who do not receive a City Year University Partnership Scholarship will automatically be considered for additional merit-based awards based on the strength of the application and availability of other Simmons scholarship funds.

Teaching and Research Assistantships

Graduate students in Gender and Cultural Studies, History, and Public Policy graduate programs may request consideration for graduate assistantships through their graduate program director after completing at least one semester of study. Graduate assistantships are single semester appointments that are available dependent up on faculty and require up to 10 hours per week of work.

Please note that scholarships and assistantships alone will not cover the entire cost of tuition or other educational expenses.

Dean’s Fellowships

The Ifill School provides annual funding for two graduate student Dean’s Fellows who support the academic work of the School through special projects designated by the Dean. Project descriptions and opportunities to apply will be promoted through academic departments and/or graduate programs.

Graduate Student Professional Development Fund

Ifill School graduate students may seek financial assistance to attend and/or present at an academic or professional conference; the same pool of funds is also available to support students in the completion of research for a thesis or independent project at Simmons.