Master's Programs That Are Completely FREE

Three Types of Funding#

Before we look at specific programs, you need to understand the three main ways universities fund Master's students.

Fully Funded Programs#

Some Master's programs automatically cover tuition and provide a stipend to every admitted student. You do not need to apply for separate scholarships. If you get in, you are funded. These are rare but they exist, and they are the best opportunities for international students without money.

Named Scholarships#

Named scholarships are funded by donors, foundations, or organizations. They are awarded to students who meet specific criteria, such as being from a particular country, studying a certain field, or demonstrating leadership. These scholarships are competitive but can cover your entire cost of attendance.

Assistantships#

Assistantships are positions where you work for the university in exchange for tuition and a stipend. There are two main types:

A Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) means you help teach undergraduate classes. In exchange, the university waives your tuition and pays you a monthly stipend. You might lead discussion sections, grade assignments, or hold office hours.

A Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) means you work on a professor's research project. Like a GTA, you receive tuition coverage and a stipend. GRAs are more common in STEM fields where professors have grant funding.

25 Universities That Offer Free Master's Degrees#

Here is a list of programs that offer full funding to Master's students, including international students. Each entry includes what the program covers and who it is for.

1. Princeton University - Master in Public Affairs (MPA)#

Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs offers full funding to all MPA students. This includes tuition, health insurance, and a stipend. The program focuses on public policy, economics, and international affairs.

2. MIT Media Lab - Master of Science#

The MIT Media Lab funds all admitted Master's students through research assistantships. Students work on cutting-edge projects in technology, design, and social impact. Tuition is covered and students receive a stipend.

3. Stanford University - Knight-Hennessy Scholarship#

The Knight-Hennessy Scholarship at Stanford covers full tuition for almost any graduate program at Stanford. This includes Master's degrees in business, engineering, education, law, medicine, humanities, and sciences. It is one of the most generous and flexible scholarships in the world.

4. University of Notre Dame - Keough School of Global Affairs#

Notre Dame's Master of Global Affairs program offers significant funding to admitted students. The program focuses on international development, peace studies, and global policy.

5. UC Berkeley - Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program#

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides full funding for students from Africa. At UC Berkeley, this covers tuition, living expenses, books, and travel. The program is specifically designed for young people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in Africa.

6. Arizona State University (ASU) - Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program#

ASU also participates in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, which provides full funding for students from Africa. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program provides full funding for students from Africa, covering tuition, housing, and other expenses. ASU offers this across multiple Master's programs.

7. Washington University in St. Louis - McDonnell International Scholars Academy#

WashU's McDonnell International Scholars Academy provides full funding for international students from partner institutions around the world. The scholarship covers tuition and provides a stipend for Master's and doctoral students.

8. University of Michigan - Master of Fine Arts (MFA)#

Michigan's MFA programs in creative writing, art, and design offer full funding including tuition waivers and stipends. MFA students typically receive teaching assistantships.

9. Brown University - Master of Fine Arts (MFA)#

Brown's MFA in Literary Arts is fully funded. All admitted students receive tuition coverage, a stipend, and health insurance. The program is small and highly selective.

10. University of Texas at Austin - Michener Center for Writers (MFA)#

The Michener Center provides full funding to all MFA students, including tuition, a generous annual stipend, and health insurance. It is one of the best-funded MFA programs in the country.

11. Georgetown University - McCourt School of Public Policy#

Georgetown's McCourt School offers significant merit-based scholarships to Master's students in public policy. Some students receive full funding. The school is located in Washington, D.C., providing excellent access to policy organizations.

12. New York University (NYU) - Wagner School of Public Service#

NYU Wagner offers merit-based scholarships that can cover full tuition for Master's students in public administration and public policy. International students are eligible for these awards.

13. Johns Hopkins University - Master of Public Health (MPH)#

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health offers scholarships and assistantships to MPH students. Some international students receive full funding through departmental awards and named scholarships.

14. University of Iowa - Iowa Writers' Workshop (MFA)#

The Iowa Writers' Workshop is one of the most prestigious MFA programs in the world. All admitted students receive full funding through teaching assistantships and fellowships, covering tuition and providing a stipend.

15. Indiana University Bloomington - Master of Fine Arts (MFA)#

Indiana University offers fully funded MFA positions in creative writing. Students receive tuition waivers and stipends through teaching assistantships.

16. Northwestern University - MFA in Documentary Media#

Northwestern's MFA in Documentary Media offers funding packages that can include full tuition coverage and stipends. The program trains students in documentary filmmaking and media.

17. University of Texas at Austin - Harrington Graduate Fellows Program#

The Harrington Fellowship provides full funding to outstanding graduate students at UT Austin across multiple disciplines. Fellows receive tuition, fees, a stipend, and research funding.

18. University of Washington - Herbold Scholars Program#

The Herbold Scholars Program at UW provides full funding for Master's students in computer science and engineering. The scholarship covers tuition and provides a living stipend.

19. Cornell University - Master of Engineering (M.Eng)#

Cornell's M.Eng programs in various engineering fields offer teaching and research assistantships that can cover tuition and provide stipends. Funding availability varies by department.

20. Ohio State University - University Fellowship#

Ohio State offers University Fellowships to outstanding incoming graduate students. These fellowships cover tuition, fees, and provide a monthly stipend. International students are eligible.

21. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) - Graduate College Fellowships for Equity and Inclusion#

UIUC offers fellowships specifically aimed at increasing diversity in graduate education. These cover tuition and provide stipends for Master's and doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds.

22. Vanderbilt University - Master of Fine Arts (MFA)#

Vanderbilt's MFA in Creative Writing is fully funded. All admitted students receive full tuition coverage and a stipend through teaching assistantships.

23. Arizona State University - Thunderbird School of Global Management#

ASU's Thunderbird School offers scholarships for Master's students in global management and development. Some awards cover full tuition for international students with strong profiles.

24. Curtis Institute of Music#

Curtis Institute provides full-tuition scholarships to every admitted student, regardless of financial need or nationality. This includes Master's-level performance programs. It is one of the few music schools that guarantees full funding.

25. The Juilliard School#

Juilliard offers significant scholarship support to graduate students in music, dance, and drama. Many students receive full-tuition scholarships, and additional financial aid is available based on need.

What To Do With This List#

Do not apply to all 25 programs. Instead, identify the ones that match your field of study, your background, and your career goals. In the next chapters, we will cover how to apply and what it takes to get accepted.

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Related Guides#

• 25 Schools Offering Full Scholarships for Master's Degrees (USA)
• 25+ Schools Offering Full Funding for Masters & PhD (No Money Required)
• Master's Degree Full Scholarships USA 2027: Application Timeline

Related Videos#

• 25 Master's Degrees with Full Scholarships for International Students
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• 10 American Universities With Full Scholarships for Masters Students