FAQs

Fletcher scholarships are for tuition only and are awarded on the basis of merit and need. All Fletcher students (U.S. and non-U.S.) are eligible for Fletcher scholarship assistance.

Each Fletcher scholarship will be applied directly to your student account. Scholarships are divided equally between the fall and spring semester tuition charges (assuming full-time enrollment each semester). Scholarship awards will be pro-rated to reflect a tuition reduction when a student enrolls in fewer than four courses per semester. The remaining scholarship funds will not be applied to subsequent tuition charges.

No. The Fletcher School provides scholarships to assist students with tuition. Students are not required to work.

Yes, limited funds may be available to make new awards for continuing students. New awards will be made based on merit and need, for both U.S. and non-U.S. students. Merit is based on first-year academic performance at Fletcher. Need is based on the student's financial resources as indicated on the Continuing Student Scholarship Applications (available in early March and due in mid-April).

Yes, limited funds may be available to supplement awards for continuing students. Increases to existing awards will be made based on merit and need, for both U.S. and non-U.S. students. Merit is based on first-year academic performance at Fletcher. Need is based on the student's financial resources as indicated on the Continuing Student Scholarship Applications (available in early March and due in mid-April).

Yes. Scholarship awards are not renewed automatically. Continuing Student Scholarship Aid Applications will be available in early March and due in mid-April. Continuing Student award announcements will be in mid-June. Students who will be studying at another school next year (pursuing a joint degree) need to reapply for scholarship aid in the spring of the year before they will return.

Tuition and fees normally increase 3-5% annually.

No. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for federal loans throughout the academic year.

Fletcher students may borrow up to the cost of attendance (using the standard budget for each degree program) less any scholarship aid received.

Yes. Increases are determined on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Tufts Student Financial Services in Dowling Hall for details.

There is a one time increase available for a computer purchase. In addition, students may have their budget increased for personal expenses such as child care or health expenses.

Several banks and private lenders offer educational loans for financing graduate school education. Most private lenders require a U.S. co-signer for international students.

All loans are disbursed directly to your student account in two installments - one in the Fall semester and one in the spring semester.

If you have a credit on your account once your bill has been paid, you may request a refund through the “Manage eRefund” link located on the Bills & Balances tab in SIS. Full details on the refund request process are available here.

The Fletcher School offers short-term, interest-free emergency loans of up to $2,000 to students. Loan repayment is within one to two months. Emergency Loans are not available for summer support. Please contact the Fletcher Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for details.

Work Study is a form of Federal financial aid designed to assist U.S. citizens and permanent residents in meeting educational expenses. Awarded as a part of the financial aid package, work study awards are dispensed by Tufts Student Financial Services per semester. Students who accept this award utilize it through on- and off-campus employment. Students are paid each week for hours worked through their work study positions. On-campus work study positions are designated as such by various departments on the Tufts campuses. Off-campus work study positions are community service jobs at non-profit organizations that directly benefit the community, such as the America Reads Literacy Program. All community service sites are subject to approval by the Manager of Student Employment.

No. Students are responsible for finding their own jobs. Most job openings at Fletcher are announced via the official Fletcher email listserv. Incoming students will be added to this listserv by the start of classes. Available campus positions in Boston, Medford, Grafton, Somerville, and surrounding areas, are listed on the job posting web site. 

Yes. Students who are offered work study are not required to accept it. Students should notify Tufts Student Financial Services if they want to decline work study.

Students not eligible for work study can still obtain jobs by applying for positions that do not require work study allowances. Available campus positions in Boston, Medford, Grafton, Somerville, and surrounding areas, are listed on the job posting web site.

Most job openings at are announced via the Fletcher Official email listserv. Incoming students will be added to this listserv by the start of classes. Available campus positions in Boston, Medford, Grafton, Somerville, and surrounding areas, are listed on the job posting web site.

Yes. International students with an F-1 visa may work up to 20 hours a week on campus. However, please note that most Fletcher students can realistically manage 8-12 hours per week. International students who would like to work on campus must have a U.S. Social Security Number. Applications for a Social Security Number may be made at the Social Security Office, 10 Fawcett Street, First Floor, Cambridge, MA. International students should see Reiko Morris in the Registrar’s Office to obtain a letter to submit to the Social Security Office along with the appropriate documents (passport, visa, and I-20 or DS2019).

Professors at Fletcher and Tufts hire their own teaching and research assistants. These assistantships are normally awarded to second-year students, though occasionally first-year students are selected. Students interested in teaching assistantships should make inquiries directly to the individual departments at Tufts University as early as possible for full consideration. Fletcher students also serve as teaching assistants at other institutions in the Boston area.

No. Teaching and research assistantships are treated as student employment at The Fletcher School. Assistantships do not reduce tuition fees. The stipend for assistantship positions is typically around $2,000.

Most Fletcher students who hold a part-time job work between 8-12 hours a week. Regardless of the number of jobs held, Tufts' policy states that students are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week (part-time) during the academic year. International students with an F-1 visa may work up to 20 hours a week on campus.

Students typically earn between $11.00 - $15.00 per hour, depending on job responsibilities.

After you have obtained a position and completed the necessary paperwork (if applicable), then you can begin working. The academic year work period normally begins the first Monday in September after the Labor Day holiday and continues until Graduation Day. Regardless of the number of jobs held, Tufts' policy states that students are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week (part-time) during the academic year. During the summer and other semester breaks students are permitted to work up to 40 hours per week (full-time). The summer work period usually begins the Monday after Graduation Day and continues until the beginning of the academic year work period.

If you will be working for the first time through the Tufts student payroll system either on-campus or at an approved off-campus community service location, you must fill out the following forms before you begin working: