Scholarships

New Directions is pleased to offer several scholarship opportunities to help defray the cost of a graduate degree for new, incoming students. Prospective students who believe they may qualify should reach out to the Program Director for a review of qualifications and requirements. Scholarship decisions will be made concurrent with a student's application to the New Directions MA program through the university’s application portal. See directions for applying to the New Directions graduate program here.

Scholarship amounts are dependent on availability and program criteria, but when awarded may be for amounts ranging between $500 and a maximum of $6000, depending on the fund.  

Fellowship amounts vary as described below.

Scholarship Funds

Cheever Scholarship

To support scholarship for Master’s students enrolled in the New Directions in Politics and Public Policy program who demonstrate a record of civic engagement and public interest leadership.  

Dreamers Scholarship

To provide scholarship support to ASSET and/or DACA eligible students enrolled in the Political Science New Directions Masters Program at the University of Colorado Denver. 

Civic Engagement Fund Scholarship

To provide scholarship support for students committed to affordable housing/housing justice scholarship or civic engagement. 

Housing and Food Insecurity Scholarship

For any New Directions student focused on issues of college student housing and/or college student food insecurity.  

New Directions New Student Scholarship

For students with a demonstrated need and commitment to pursuing a career related to public service, non-profit leadership or public policy.  

Fellowships

Local Government Best and Brightest Fellowship Program

The Department of Local Affairs Best and Brightest Management Fellowship Program places New Directions graduate students with counties or municipalities across the state for a two-year, paid local government experience while they simultaneously earn their Master's degree. The fellowship is designed to meet the needs of communities, engage future leaders, and meet students where they are in their professional development, connecting them to community work in public service.  The Fellowship pays $57,000 year one, $63,000 year two, with a $3,000 bonus for each year completed. Apply by March of each year for July start. 

Employer Matching Fund Fellowship

Fellowship matching funds may be available for prospective students whose public sector, non-profit, labor union or program-related employer is willing to fund a portion of their graduate studies through a scholarship contribution. A partnership agreement between the sponsoring employer and the New Directions program is required. Contact the Program Director for more information.

Community or Labor Partnership Fellowship

Students who are not working full time and interested in forming a new relationship with a community based non-profit or labor union partner where they can earn internship credit, perform an independent study, and/or explore a master’s project of benefit to the partner, may be considered for a fellowship where New Directions scholarship funds are matched with a scholarship from a partner organization. Because these opportunities are individualized, prospective students work with the Program Director to identify potential hosts.