Financial Aid

Take your first course tuition-free!

The best way to determine if the MAHG program is right for you is to experience it first-hand as a student. Newly admitted degree-seeking students receive their first course at our main campus in Ashland, Ohio tuition-free. We believe that once you meet our faculty, experience the lively discussions that take place in MAHG classrooms, and interact with fellow students from around the nation who share your passion for teaching American history and government, you will continue in the program. In addition to this tuition-free course, you are welcome to take additional courses this summer at the regular tuition rate of $1050 per 2 semester credit hour course.

Please note that this offer applies only to newly-admitted degree-seeking students taking their first course at our Ashland, Ohio campus during the 2013 summer semester. Applicants must meet all Ashland University admissions requirements and have been formally admitted prior to attending class. The tuition-free offer does not apply to courses offered in locations other than the Ashland main campus, independent study courses, or online courses.* Room, board, and books are not included, but are available for an additional fee. The tuition-free offer must be used during the Summer 2013 semester and does not carry over to subsequent semesters.

*New students who plan to take their chronologically "first" course at a location other than the Ashland main campus but also plan to take courses at the Ashland campus in 2013 may apply the tuition-free offer to the first course taken at the Ashland campus, even if it is not the first class taken in the program.

External Fellowship Opportunities

James Madison Memorial Fellowship
A graduate fellowship for current or prospective secondary school American history, American government, or social studies teachers who wish to pursue a master's degree in a program focused on the study of the Constitution. More than 50 Madison fellows from across the country are MAHG students or graduates and several of our faculty members have served on the fellowship's selection committee. Fellowship applicants are encouraged to visit our Madison Fellowship Application Advice page for insights from our fellows and our faculty.

Humane Studies Fellowships
Offered by the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University, the Humane Studies Fellowships are awarded to graduate students studying economics, philosophy, law, political science, history, or sociology who plan a research focus on liberty, freedom of action and association, and the rule of law.

Ashland University Fellowships

Through the generous support of our donors, the Ashbrook Center is able to offer the following scholarships to support studies in the Master of Arts program in American History and Government. Each award is made on an annual basis and is not automatically renewable. These awards are for on-campus summer graduate credit study only and may not be used for audit a course on a non-credit basis or for online courses.

To apply for any of the following Ashland University Fellowships, please complete our Fellowship Application. Priority will be given to applications received prior to April 1, 2013. Applications received after April 1 will be considered for any remaining fellowships on a first come, first served basis. 

The Robert and Elizabeth Hoffman Memorial Fellowship

Established by their children, Mr. Thomas Hoffman and Mrs. Deborah Marbry, the Robert and Elizabeth Hoffman Memorial Fellowship is a $700 award to a newly admitted or returning MAHG student. Five $700 awards will be available for study during the 2013 summer semester. Recipients must be teachers, but need not be degree-seeking students in the MAHG program.

Preference will be given to applicants with 15 or fewer years of teaching experience. Preference will also be given to teachers from urban school districts. Interested teachers are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet the preference guidelines. The Hoffman Fellowship is open to those who are interested in experiencing a course in the MAHG program without making the full commitment to apply as a degree student.

Recipients of the Hoffman Fellowship must apply for either degree or non-degree admission to Ashland University. The recipient must complete the application, pay the application fee, and arrange for official transcripts to be sent to the Ashbrook Center showing completion of a bachelor's degree. A completed application to the university must be received before the recipient may attend class, but it is not necessary to apply to the degree program to be considered for the award. 

The Ellen Campbell Memorial Fellowship

Made possible by a gift from Robert and Sharlene Ingmand, the Ellen Campbell Memorial Fellowship is a $500 award to a degree-seeking MAHG student. The recipient must be or plan to become a high school teacher. One award is given annually by the director of the Master of Arts in American History and Government.

The Philip M. McKenna Foundation Fellowship

Through a generous gift from the Philip M. McKenna Foundation, ten $500 awards are available to degree-seeking MAHG students. The recipient must be or plan to become an elementary or secondary school history or government teacher. Preference is given to those teaching within the state of Pennsylvania. The awards are made annually by the director of the Master of Arts in American History and Government.

The John and Barbara Walter Fellowship

For Summer 2013, Mr. and Mrs. John and Barbara Walter have endowed a series of ten $500 awards for degree-seeking MAHG students. The recipient must be or plan to become an elementary or secondary school history or government teacher. The awards are made annually by the director of the Master of Arts in American History and Government.

The McKinley Fellowships

In the interest of promoting civic education in American classrooms, Judge and Mrs. Michael R. and Norma E. McKinley have funded a series of fellowship awards. These awards are open to MAHG degree students who are presently, or are studying to become, teachers of American history or government. Ten awards of $750 will be given for study during the summer of 2013.

The awards are made annually by the director of the Master of Arts in American History and Government. Preference will be given to those candidates with a financial need.

Graduate Loans

Ashland University participates in the Federal Stafford Loan Program. This program is available for all eligible students enrolled in the MAHG or MASTAHG programs on a degree-seeking basis. In addition, there are also private education loan programs available for MA students.

Loans for MA students are processed through the Ashland University Financial Aid office once students have been accepted into an MA program. However, prospective students may begin the loan application process prior to acceptance to ensure that all forms have been received by the Financial Aid office and are ready to be processed as soon as the student is accepted into the program.

Summer semester loan applications are generally available around February 1st each year.  Priority is given to summer loan applications received prior to March 1st.  Applications for Fall and Spring semester are generally available around March 1st each year.  Priority is given to fall and spring loan applications received prior to May 1st.  Students may submit loan applications after these priority dates, however in such cases the Financial Aid office cannot guarantee funding will be in place prior to the start of class.  

To learn more about Federal Student Loans and other student loan options, or to apply, please visit the Ashland University Financial Aid Office website.