Affording Your MEIM Degree

MEIM Program Scholarships

These merit-based scholarships are awarded to students admitted to the MEIM program on the basis of their application for admission, including their academic and/or professional achievement. Recipients can also apply for a research assistantship or other part-time work opportunities to earn $5,000-$6,000 per academic year to help with non-tuition expenses.

Pittsburgh Regional Leaders Scholarships

Heinz College offers a limited number of Regional Leaders Scholarships to incoming students who have a demonstrated a commitment to the Pittsburgh community. If you are interested in a Regional Leaders Scholarship, we require that an individual who can testify to your commitment to and impact on the Pittsburgh community writes at least one of your recommendations for admission.

Equity & Inclusion in Entertainment Fellowship

A full-tuition scholarship can be awarded to up to 3 admitted MEIM students who demonstrate their commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry within their application for admission.  The fellowship program was established as part of Heinz College's commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. Interested applicants are encouraged to mention their interest in the award within the essay or optional essay in the application for admission. Preference will be given to (i) students who have been admitted to the MEIM program, (ii) students who have demonstrated interest and commitment to the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in entertainment-related organizations or industries, (iii) students with a major/ minor in gender studies/ theory, (iv) graduates of HBCU’s and HSI’s, (v) students who are first in their family to attend graduate school, and/or (vi) students for whom English is their second language.

Deliberative Discourse Fellowship

Each year, Heinz College awards an additional $2,000 per semester scholarship to the Deliberative Discourse Fellow, who will be an incoming student who exemplifies a strong commitment to fostering spaces that encourage diverse opinions and perspectives, while working towards reducing polarization. The recipient will work with Heinz College's DICE Office on the Deliberative Discourse Initiative and can earn $4,000-$6,000 per academic year to help with their non-tuition expenses. Preference will be given to (i) students who have been admitted to a full-time master's program at Heinz College and/or (ii) students who have demonstrated commitment to working on issues related to deliberative discourse; fostering space that facilitates diverse conversations and perspectives; and/or reduction of polarization in organizations/college campuses.

DICe Fellowship

Heinz College's Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Climate, and Equity (DICE) offers a DICE Fellowship to an admitted student who is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the Heinz community. The DICE Fellow will receive a scholarship equal to 50%-100% of their first year tuition in a master's program at Heinz College. In addition to the scholarship, the DICE Fellow will serve as a DICE Research Assistant (RA), typically working 7-10 hours per week at a rate of $17 per hour during the fall and spring semesters. The RA role allows the DICE Fellow to earn an additional $4,000 to $6,000 per academic year. Applicants for the DICE Fellowship who are not selected for the fellowship will be considered for an RA position. RAs do not receive a tuition scholarship.  

Heinz College Strategic Partners Scholarships

Heinz College has partnered with a number of organizations to provide financial support to their members in order to reduce the cost of attending graduate school. If you are affiliated with one or more of these partner organizations, you are eligible for a Strategic Partners Scholarship from Heinz College as a result of that affiliation. In order to be considered, you should indicate on your application for admission your experience or involvement with one or more of the partner organizations. Click here for full details of the scholarship benefits for each partner organization.

HBCU ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS

Prospective master's students who have completed their bachelor's degree at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) are eligible to apply for a full-tuition (100%) scholarship to attend Heinz College. To be considered, students are asked to indicate the completion of their bachelor’s degree at an eligible undergraduate institution within their application for admission to Heinz College. Please note that there are a limited number of full-tuition awards available for this scholarship; however, all HBCU alumni are eligible for a minimum 30% HBCU partnership scholarship. No separate or additional application is required for these scholarships, and they will be awarded at the time of admission.

HSI ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS

Prospective master's students who have completed their bachelor's degree at one of HACU's Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) member schools are eligible to apply for a full-tuition (100%) scholarship to attend Heinz College. To be considered, students are asked to indicate the completion of their bachelor’s degree at an eligible undergraduate institution within their application for admission to Heinz College. Please note that there are a limited number of full-tuition awards available for this scholarship; however, all HSI alumni are eligible for a minimum 30% HACU/ HSI partnership scholarship. No separate or additional application is required for these scholarships, and they will be awarded at the time of admission. 

Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship

If you successfully completed any of the PPIA Junior Summer Institutes and are admitted to the MEIM degree program, you will be awarded a full-tuition (100 percent) scholarship and an annual stipend of $8,000. See the PPIA Program website for more information.

Fulbright Scholarships

Heinz College awards scholarships of at least $6,000 per semester to eligible Fulbright Fellows entering the MEIM program. See the Fulbright Fellowship Program website for more information.

Regional Education Partners Alumni (REPA) Scholarships

Incoming master's students who have completed their bachelor's degree at a regional education partner of the Heinz College are awarded an REPA scholarship. Heinz College awards a scholarship of at least $8,000 per semester to eligible students enrolling on a full-time basis. Click here for full details of the scholarship benefits for each partner school.

National Education Partners Alumni (NEPA) Scholarships

Incoming master's students who have completed their bachelor's degree at a national education partner of the Heinz College are awarded an NEPA scholarship. Heinz College awards a scholarship of at least $8,000 per semester to eligible students enrolling on a full-time basis. Click here for full details of the scholarship benefits for each partner school.

U.S. Military Veterans Scholarship

U.S. military veterans who are not receiving 100 percent tuition benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are eligible to receive a scholarship of up to 30 percent of tuition costs. This scholarship benefit is available to the spouses and children of U.S. military veterans. Applicants should indicate their eligibility within their application for admission.

Students can be awarded additional scholarship support above and beyond this particular award by the Admissions Committee.

Other U.S. Military Veterans Benefits

U.S. Military veterans can learn more about available benefits on our Veterans Education Benefits page.

Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program

The Heinz College Fallen Heroes Scholarship program aims to provide scholarship support to the surviving spouses/partners and children of our fallen heroes. See our Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program page for additional information on program eligibility and benefits.

Relocation Stipend

All MEIM students moving from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles prior to their second year of classes are awarded a one-time, $1,200 re-location stipend.

Additional MEIM Second-Year Scholarship

In order to offset a portion of the additional expenses incurred during the second year of the MEIM program, all MEIM students who receive a scholarship for the first two semesters in the program will receive an additional $2,500 per semester in scholarship support in each of their final two semesters in the program.

If you are eligible for more than one scholarship from Heinz College, you may not be entitled to the minimum award for the second scholarship. Typically, scholarships or scholarship percentages offered by Heinz College are renewable for subsequent semesters of enrollment. However, any scholarship or fellowship offered may be reduced or rescinded for any of the following reasons:

• Changing the academic program of study
• A difference in the number of enrolled units originally used to calculate eligibility
• Extending the normal program length
• Deferment of offer of admission
• Failure to make satisfactory academic progress
• Financial aid overaward*

*Total scholarship from all sources generally may not exceed the cost of tuition and fees. Total financial aid from all sources may not exceed the total cost of attendance.

See CMU's Statement of Assurance.

As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible to work within a part-time position at Heinz College to help offset your educational expenses. FWS positions typically pay $17 per hour, and do not include academic credits. All employment under this federal program must be authorized by the Heinz College Office of Financial Aid in advance of accepting employment or hiring students.

As a Heinz College student, you may be eligible to work for an eligible public, government or 501(c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission and work benefit the community to earn money to help cover education-related expenses. FCSWS positions typically pay $17 per hour, and do not include academic credits. All employment under this federal program must be authorized by the Heinz College Office of Financial Aid in advance of accepting employment or hiring students.

If you do not qualify for a federal work study program, you are eligible to work in a non-federal work study position. Non-federal work study positions are especially helpful for international students, who often don’t qualify for federal work study positions. Non-federal work study positions typically pay $17 per hour, and do not include academic credits.