Scholarships and Awards for Graduate Students

As a graduate student, you may be eligible for a scholarship under several award programs.

Awards are generally determined upon acceptance into a graduate program based on your cumulative GPA from your undergraduate degree-granting institution or employment affiliation.

Please note that Iona-funded scholarships and grants are not available for Winter Session and Summer Session I.

Scholarships 

Edmund Rice Scholarship

• Award Criteria: Available to entering matriculated graduate students who have earned a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.50 or higher.
• Amount: 5%* tuition award.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

*Students who are not recipients of other Iona Scholarships may be eligible for a higher award.

New York City Mayor’s Scholarship

• Award Criteria: Available to entering matriculated graduate students who are current NYC government employees.
• Amount: Effective with Summer 2023 admission, this award will provide for a twenty percent (20%) tuition reduction for School of Arts & Science and LaPenta School of Business students who are New York City government employees.
• Renewal Criteria: Recipients must provide proof of current employment from their agency no later than September 2 for the fall semester and trimester, December 1 for the winter trimester, January 2 for the spring semester, and March 1 for the spring trimester. The deadline for the summer is the second day of classes. Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

*This award cannot be combined with other Iona-funded awards.

Rockland County Government Scholarship

• Award Criteria: Available to entering matriculated graduate students who are employed by the Rockland County Government. This Scholarship is $500 per three-credit course.
• Amount: $500 per 3 credit course.
• Renewal Criteria: Recipients must provide proof of current employment from their agency no later than September 2 for the fall semester and January 2 for the spring semester. The deadline for the summer is the second day of classes. Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

This award cannot be combined with other Iona-funded awards.

Archdiocesan Scholarship

• Award Criteria: Full-time teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors employed by Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of New York and neighboring dioceses, as well as members of the clergy, may receive a tuition scholarship equal to one-third of graduate tuition for a maximum of six credits per term. This award is not available to part-time employees or visiting students. Please complete the Archdiocesan Scholarship for Graduate Studies application form and return it no later than September 2 for the fall term, October 15 for the winter term, and January 27 for the spring term. The deadline for the summer is the second day of classes. You may be required to provide updated proof of full-time employment depending upon the date of your original application.
• Amount: 33% tuition discount on up to 6 credits per term.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Submit the Archdiocesan Scholarship for Graduate Studies application form by the stated deadline each term. The completed form must be submitted no later than September 2 for the fall term, October 15 for the winter term, and January 27 for the spring term. The deadline for the summer is the second day of classes.

This award cannot be combined with other Iona-funded awards

Iona University Alumni Scholarship

• Award Criteria: Awarded to all alumni of Iona University.
• Amount: 10% tuition discount.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  *This award may be combined with the Edmund Rice Scholarship, if eligible, for students admitted for Summer 2023 and later.

First Responder, Medical and Safety Personnel Scholarship

• Award Criteria: Available for all entering students who are active or retired first responders, medical, or safety personnel and enroll in a master’s degree or certificate program in the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; or the Nursing Master’s, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Mental Health Counseling Programs in the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences.
• Amount: 20% tuition discount.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Recipients must provide proof of current employment or retirement from their agency to the Admissions Office each semester/trimester no later than September 2 for the fall semester and January 2 for the spring semester. The trimester deadlines are September 2, December 2, and March 2. The deadline for the summer is the second day of classes.

Admitted Students with undergraduate GPAs of 3.5 or greater will receive an additional 5% discount from the Edmund Rice Scholarship, for a total of 25% discount.

Westchester County Government Scholarship

• Award Criteria: Available to entering matriculated graduate students who are employed by the Westchester County Government.
• Amount: Effective with Summer 2023 admission, this award will provide for a twenty percent (20%) tuition reduction for School of Arts & Science and LaPenta School of Business students who are Westchester County government employees.
• Renewal Criteria: Recipients must provide proof of current employment from their agency no later than September 2 for the fall semester and January 2 for the spring semester. The deadline for the summer is the second day of classes. Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

This award cannot be combined with other Iona-funded awards.

Awards

Iona Family Award

• Award Criteria: Awarded to the immediate family members* of active or retired Iona University faculty and staff.
• Amount: 20% tuition discount.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  Admitted Students with undergraduate GPAs of 3.5 or greater will receive an additional 5% discount from the Edmund Rice Scholarship, for a total of 25% discount.

*Per NYS: “Immediate family member” shall include spouse; birth and adoptive parents, children and siblings; stepparents, stepchildren and step-siblings; fathers-in-law, mothers-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law; and grandparents and grandchildren.

Iona Legacy Award

• Award Criteria: Awarded to the children of Iona alumni.
• Amount: 10% tuition discount.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Admitted Students with undergraduate GPAs of 3.5 or greater will receive an additional 5% discount from the Edmund Rice Scholarship, for a total of 15% discount.

NYP Tuition Benefit Award

• Award Criteria: Awarded to NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP) Hospital employees who are eligible for NYP Tuition Benefits and enroll in the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; or the Marriage and Family Therapy or Mental Health Counseling Programs in the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences.
• Amount: 10% tuition discount on tuition amounts not covered by NYP Tuition Remission Benefits.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Yellow Ribbon Education Enhancement Program

Iona University participates in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI program. By enrolling in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program and providing additional scholarships that are matched by the government, Iona is able to offer full tuition to 50 qualifying veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

• Amount: Up to full-tuition based on student’s GI Bill eligibility.
• Renewal Criteria: Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

This award cannot be combined with other Iona-funded awards.

More on Yellow Ribbon Program

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships and Campus Employment at Iona University serve as a valuable funding opportunities for students pursuing graduate programs. Graduate assistantships provide financial support to students while also offering valuable professional development opportunities and academic experience.

Financial Support: Graduate assistantships typically provide students with financial support in the form of tuition remission, stipends, or both. This financial assistance can help alleviate the financial burden of graduate education, making it more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.

Tuition Remission: Many graduate assistantships at Iona University include tuition remission benefits, which cover some or all of the student's tuition expenses. This can significantly reduce the cost of graduate education, allowing students to focus more on their studies and professional development.

Stipends: In addition to tuition remission, graduate assistants may receive stipends, which are regular payments made to support living expenses. Stipend amounts may vary depending on the type of assistantship, the department, and other factors, but they provide valuable financial support to students during their graduate studies.

Professional Development: Beyond financial support, graduate assistantships offer opportunities for professional development. Depending on the nature of the assistantship, students may gain hands-on experience in research, teaching, administrative work, or other areas relevant to their field of study. This practical experience can enhance students' skills and credentials, making them more competitive in the job market upon graduation.

Academic Experience: Graduate assistantships often involve working closely with faculty members, researchers, or administrators within the university. This allows students to engage directly with their academic community, collaborate on projects, and contribute to the university's mission and goals. The academic experience gained through assistantships can complement students' coursework and research, enriching their overall graduate education.

Networking Opportunities: Through their assistantship roles, students have the opportunity to build relationships and network with faculty members, fellow graduate students, and professionals in their field. These connections can be valuable for future career opportunities, mentorship, and collaborations beyond graduate school.

Pathways to Further Opportunities: Graduate assistantships can also serve as pathways to further opportunities, such as research assistantships, teaching positions, or other roles within academia or industry. The skills, experience, and connections gained through assistantships can open doors to future career paths and professional growth.

Campus Employment: Students may also secure positions on Iona's campus working with various departments to defray the cost of their education and to cultivate professional experience and relationships.

Apply for a Graduate Assistantship here.

Find Graduate Assistant and Campus Employment opportunities by searching on our Next Gen system here.