As a professional with military experience, you may be researching public service-related careers that allow you to continue impacting the lives of others for good.
As a veteran or current military member, you are uniquely qualified for specific financial aid options that will help you offset the cost of obtaining the respected Master of Public Administration at Cornell University’s Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy.
Here is what you need to know about paying for Cornell’s MPA program — whether you are able to use the GI bill or need to take advantage of other funding options.
Understanding the GI Bill
Brooks School is participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program ($10,000), which is then matched by the VA for any student who qualifies for full post 9/11 GI Bill benefits (instead of a fixed number of funded students).
The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides education benefits for those who have served on active duty for 90 or more days after Sept. 10, 2001. In addition, the GI Bill issues a monthly housing allowance payable to the student from the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rate based on the zip code where a majority of classes are taken. A yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1000 is also paid proportionately based on enrollment.
The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the law that created the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which is available for Institutions of Higher Learning in the U.S. The program allows approved institutions of higher learning and the VA to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed the established thresholds under the Post-9/11 GI Bill (VA, 2019).
The amount of benefits payable depends on how much active duty time a service member has, a breakdown of which can be seen below:
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Exploring Other Financial Aid and Scholarships
For veterans, reservists, and active duty members who do not qualify for 100% GI Bill benefits, there are myriad funding options available. Many of these opportunities are available on the basis of branch served, location, or program of study.
From scholarships to grants, from tuition assistance to interest-free loans, there are dozens of financial aid options available to qualified veterans, active duty service members, and in some cases, even military spouses and/or children.
Here are just a few of the many financial aid options available:
Veterans Benefits
Veteran education benefits are available to eligible full or part-time Cornell students or employees who are active duty or reserve military personnel, veterans, or in some cases, the child or spouse of a veteran. To determine eligibility, complete the online Application for VA Education Benefits (VA Form 22-1990).
Visit our graduate resource page for more information about Cornell’s resources and benefits for veterans; you can also check out our Veterans Benefits FAQ for more information.
Explore One of the Best Degrees for Veterans at Cornell: Master of Public Administration
The Cornell Brooks School MPA is a degree program where you will experience the reality of some of today's most “wicked” and pressing public policy issues. It's undoubtedly an applied degree for students passionate about improving people's lives. Veterans tend to want to connect to colleagues to training and resources that will allow them to make a difference — that means thinking and acting beyond the classroom.
At Cornell, we have a commitment to immersing students in experiential learning opportunities where they’ll have to work to solve problems in real-time.
Additionally, some of the highlights of Cornell’s MPA curriculum include:
- Learning from faculty across the university with direct experience in the field of public administration;
- An emphasis on career management and professional development, preparing you to be a leader in your field;
- Gaining first-hand experience in a career from an array of public administration internship opportunities;
- Engaging in client-based consulting courses via our public engagement program.
