Harris Public Policy offers numerous opportunities to fund your full-time graduate degree with fellowships and scholarships. All students are considered for these awards upon application to Harris–with the exception of students applying to our non-degree Credential and executive programs. For more information about the scholarships and discounts available for our Credential applicants, please visit the Credential Programs website.

A number of students also seek funding from third-party sources

Merit Scholarships

More than two thirds of our master's degree students receive scholarships and fellowships that are awarded on a competitive, merit basis. All students are considered for these awards upon application to Harris and are notified of any awards at the time of acceptance. 

Please note: All scholarships awarded from Harris are considered merit scholarships. Harris scholarship awards are provided in partnership by one of the following scholarship programs on this page.

Christos Scholarship

Funded by two Chicago alumni, the Christos Scholars Fund is named in honor of Christopher P. Lefkarites, who dedicated his legal career to public service in New York State. This Fund is established to provide an annual scholarship to students who demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of a career in public or nonprofit service. In particular, the Fund seeks to support candidates from communities or circumstances for whom an education at Harris would be transformative and who might otherwise face financial challenges.

Christopher P. Lefkarites, known as Christos to his friends and family, was a first-generation Greek-Cypriot American, raised in the South Bronx of New York City. He served his country as a US Army Reservist in the Military Intelligence Unit and went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree with honors from New York University Law School. For over three decades, he dedicated his legal career to public service as Director of the Legal Services unit of the New York State Department of Education’s Office of Professional Discipline. His strong work ethic, unfailing sense of humor, uncompromising principles, and pursuit of justice for those with less agency was a model of character to all who knew him. Sadly, Christos passed away in March 2019 at the age of 84. The Christos Scholars Fund at the Harris School of Public Policy honors his remarkable legacy of public service.

Harris Alumni Scholarship

The Harris Alumni Scholarship was created in 2012 by the Harris Alumni Council to directly support students through scholarship funding. This scholarship is financed solely by donations from the Harris alumni community, and is awarded to students who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills, significant real-world professional experience, and a strong academic record. 

Irving B. Harris Fellowship

The Irving B. Harris Fellowship is awarded to applicants based on merit and the strength of their applications, and may cover up to the full cost of tuition with an additional living stipend. Irving B. Harris supported the creation of the Harris School of Public Policy, and provided significant financial assistance to encourage the career growth of young policy leaders. Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest or background in child and family policy areas, and expect to engage in activities that support the Harris community.

King Harris Fellowship

Select students are annually awarded fellowships supported by King Harris, Irving Harris’ nephew, Chairman of Harris Holdings, and an Emeriti Trustee of the University of Chicago. King Harris Fellows are selected based on their passion to pursue careers in public policy, and for their strong academic records. Additionally, King Harris Fellows will receive the special opportunity to network directly with Mr. Harris.

Knas Family Scholarship Fund

Funded by two Chicago alumni, the Knas Family Scholarship Fund bolsters access for first generation college graduates seeking to advance their education at two top-tier professional schools. Emily (Modlin) Knas, MPP ’14 and Kraig Knas, MBA ’19, generously established the fund in 2021 to support first generation students interested in combining policy formation and analysis with leadership and management skills through a dual degree from the Harris School of Public Policy and the Chicago Booth School of Business.

Knoll Scholarship

Jerry Knoll graduated from the College and had a robust career in public policy, retiring as deputy director, Medical Programs Division, of the International Rescue Committee. As a long-time supporter of Harris and a member of the Harris Council, Knoll established a fund to provide financial support for students who are interested in international relations. The Knoll Scholarship is awarded to applicants who demonstrate a strong interest or background in international affairs, economics, and national defense policy or federal education policy.

Koplow-McAdams Family Scholarship

Funded by the generous support of Hilarie Koplow-McAdams, AM’87 and Steven McAdams, the Koplow-McAdams Family Scholarship is for students pursuing either a dual or joint degree from the Harris School of Public Policy.

Joint degree programs include: Five Year Master in Public Policy with the College (BA/MPP), Five Year MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy with the College (BA/MSCAPP), Chicago Booth School of Business (MPP/MBA), Law School (MPP/JD), Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice (MPP/MA), Committee on International Relations (MA/MA), and Center for Middle Eastern Studies (MPP/MA).

Andrew W. Mellon Scholarship

The Andrew W. Mellon Scholarship was established through a generous gift from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and supports Master of Public Policy (MPP) students at Harris who are interested in focusing on and researching policy analysis. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation seeks to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive.

The Pearson Fellowship

Reflecting the scale of the Pearson Family’s landmark gift, The Pearson Institute annually funds select group of distinguished professional students dedicated to understanding the causes and consequences of global conflicts and demonstrating an individual potential for impact. Applicants for the Pearson Fellowship program should be Master of Public Policy (MPP) students, and are selected based on leadership, academic aptitude, and dedication to global conflict resolution through demonstrated experience or course work.

The Harrison I. Steans Scholarship Fund

The Harrison I. Steans Scholarship Fund is generously supported by the Steans Family Foundation, and was established in memory of Harrison I. Steans. Mr. Steans was a generous philanthropist, and believed strongly in giving back to his community. Mr. Steans started the Steans Family Foundation in 1988 with his wife Lois and three daughters, which benefits and supports the North Lawndale community. The Harrison I. Steans Scholarship is awarded to a top student with demonstrated leadership skills, a strong academic record, and high-level past professional experience.

TC Young Scholarship

The TC Young Foundation Scholarship is awarded to an applicant with demonstrated experience and commitment to social innovation efforts related to China. Eligible applicants should have a demonstrated record of community service or working for the public good connected to China, either through a full-time professional position, or through substantial volunteer opportunities. Experience and past research should include a clear focus on China-related challenges or policy issues. For more information on the TC Young Foundation, please visit the website.

The University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholar Program

The University of Chicago Obama Foundation Scholarship Program is a collaborative effort is a collaborative effort by the University and the Obama Foundation to bring together an interdisciplinary cohort of University second-year graduate students, which may include, but is not limited to, students from the Harris School; the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice; and the Booth School of Business. The purpose of the program is to expose these students to the education, skills, relationships, and perspectives necessary to address complex social challenges through impactful careers in fields including, but not limited to government, nonprofit and social organizations.