Financial Aid

Patterson students are passionate about improving the state of the world. This leads many to enter careers in professions that are exceedingly rewarding personally, but not always the best financially. Government and diplomatic service, or work with international development agencies and NGOs, may let our graduates witness history, advance peace, and help feed the hungry at reasonable, but not stellar pay.

Our high-value, low-cost education affords our students greater professional latitude — and substantially less debt — upon graduation. Our tuition is extremely competitive and the general cost of living in Lexington appreciably lower than that at ranked international affairs graduate programs on the East or West coasts.

All applicants are automatically considered for financial support by the Patterson School's Admissions and Fellowship Committee. Assistance may be awarded based upon merit, need, or a combination of the two. The committee places an emphasis on intellectual achievement and experience that indicates a genuine commitment to a career in international affairs. Aid normally takes the form of scholarships or fellowships.

Overall resources for general student assistance are limited, as is the norm with professional graduate schools. Three significant mitigating factors for all applicants, however, are the relatively affordable cost of tuition at the University of Kentucky, the overall low cost of living in Lexington (cost of living index 92) and the fact our program can be completed in just three semesters.

As regards tuition, applicants from twelve Southern U.S. states currently qualify for reduced tuition via the Academic Common Market. This program, run under the auspices of the Southern Regional Education Board, enables students to pursue unique majors offered at public institutions in states other than their own while paying the applicable in-state tuition. Students need to pay careful attention to their home state's deadlines and application requirements and process.

Applicants may be considered for a variety of special sources of financial support. These include the Wethington, Mathews, Cralle, and Singletary Fellowships administered by the university. The University of Kentucky Financial Aid Office and Graduate School can provide further information regarding these and other potential sources of assistance. 

International Students

International students typically comprise approximately ten percent of each year's entering class, with representatives coming from all regions of the world. Their contribution to our program of study is invaluable. International students frequently attend the Patterson School under the William J. Fulbright Foreign Student program (worldwide). We are working to expand the financial assistance resources available to support international students.