Short-term programs at the University of Chicago, like the Harris Public Policy Credential Programs, are an investment in your academic and professional career. The programs provide skills you can apply immediately, a global network of peers, and strengthen your resume for your next opportunity.

Following are some tips to help you understand the financial planning needed for this investment in your future.

Early Deadlines, Early Discounts

Credential program deadlines are more frequent and occur closer to the program start date than graduate degree programs. Nonetheless, there are benefits to applying early. For example, most Credential Programs offer an Early Bird Discount, lowering your total program fee.

Look not only for Credential application deadlines but also the deadlines of other funding options, such as third-party scholarships or employer sponsorship. You will also want to add a time buffer to account for the wait time for those approval periods.

And remember, some funding opportunities require you to have an acceptance letter when you apply. We recommend submitting you Harris Public Policy application as early as possible to increase your external funding opportunities. 

Discounts and Scholarships

The University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and external funding sources offer several opportunities to make our credential programs more accessible and affordable:

  • Early Application Discounts: All credential programs offer discounts for early applicants. Be sure to check each program’s deadline to take advantage of these savings.

  • Merit-Based Scholarships: Top applicants to two flagship summer programs, the Data and Policy Summer Scholar Program and the Policy Research and Innovation Bootcamp, are eligible for merit-based scholarship awards.

  • Harris Credential Community Impact Scholarship: Applicants with two or more years of full-time professional public service experience in any country may qualify for the Community Impact Scholarship, which ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on the program. The scholarship application is included in the main program application, and awards are issued at the time of admission. Please note: recipients of the Community Impact Scholarship are not eligible for additional discounts.

  • Multiple-Enrollment Discount: Participants who enroll in two or more credential programs in the same cycle receive an additional 20% discount on program fees, applied after any initial discounts or scholarships.

  • VA Education Benefits: Several Harris credential programs are approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under its “Licenses, Certifications, and Prep Courses” category. This means eligible individuals may receive reimbursement for program fees through the VA.

  • Employer or University Sponsorship: Check with your employer for potential professional development or education sponsorships. Or, check with your current academic institution for experiential learning or summer internship sponsorships.

  • Third-party funding: There are external, third-party scholarships available based on career goals, policy areas, citizenship, affiliations, and more. To start your search consider reviewing our Opportunity Guide for Credential Programs and  Opportunity Guide for Prospective Degree Students. Please note, this is not an exhaustive resource of all the available third party funding options, and the details subject to change. Please click through to the specific opportunity for up to date information.

  • Loans: Students with an existing loan for their degree program may be able to utilize those funds for a credential program.

Reimbursable programs include: Policy Research and Innovation Bootcamp, Monetary Policy & International Finance, and Environmental Economics and Policy Lab.

Understand Your Investment

A credential program from Harris Public Policy can be the next step to further or pivot your career. There are three invaluable factors to consider when applying:

  • Tangible skills: In less than two months you will build a robust toolkit in a specialized area such as data analytics, finance policy, or persuasive writing, among others. And you will be able to apply those skills immediately in your academic or professional environment
  • Global network: UChicago classrooms, both virtual and in-person, are incredibly diverse learning spaces. Students from all around the world participate, sharing their knowledge from different academic disciplines and professional backgrounds.
  • Preparation for what’s next: Students who complete credential programs have gone on to study at top graduate institutions, including UChicago graduate programs, and secured professional roles in private, public, and non-profit sectors.

Read through Benefits of Credential Programs and Benefits for Graduate Study or attend an upcoming event with students who completed Credential Programs to hear them speak to the investment.

Invest in yourself and complete your Credential Program Application today.

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