GSE Announces "Education Stimulus Package" for Master's Students

March 12, 2009 - In response to the current economic downturn, the Penn Graduate School of Education is increasing the financial aid offered to outstanding candidates.

According to Penn GSE Dean Andy Porter, "With turmoil in the economy and an unstable job market, some potential applicants are more interested in graduate study, but they're also worried about whether or not they can afford it. So we launched our own ‘stimulus package' to help - which nearly triples the amount of financial aid for master's students."

The new "Dean's Scholarship Fund" will provide $3.1 million in merit aid to master's students (last year, $1.3 million was available), and will help GSE achieve its goal of matriculating the best, most diverse incoming master's cohort possible. Scholarships will be awarded in all 21 programs offered in the School, and the merit awards will range from $5,000 to $18,500.

In addition to the increase in master's aid, GSE will reduce tuition for its elementary and secondary teacher education programs, making the cost for full-time, 11-month students $35,000 (down from $44,695). Says Porter, "Our teacher education program has a long-standing commitment to urban education. This tuition adjustment will help us ensure that we're able to maintain the quality of the program and at the same time attract the best, most diverse cohort of students possible."

Interested applicants should contact Alyssa D'Alconzo in Penn GSE's Admissions Office at 215-898-1501.

Media contact: Jill DiSanto-Haines at 215-898-4820 or jdisanto@upenn.edu