The Archer Center, The University of Texas System, your home campus, and our supporters are committed to making the Archer Fellowship Program financially accessible for all.
Three Ways Archer Fellows Fund Their Fellowship
1. Applicable Financial Aid and Third-party Funding
During their semester in Washington, D.C., Graduate Archer Fellows are considered in-residence students on their home campus. Students can access funding that they typically use to support their semester expenses including federal, state, campus, and other third-party funding (rare exceptions apply).
2. Campus Support
Many UT System campuses also provide selected Graduate Archer Fellows with additional funding to support their participation in the program.
3. Archer Center Financial Support
Thanks to a significant investment from The University of Texas System Board of Regents, the Archer Center offers generous need-and merit-based scholarships for Graduate Archer Fellows. Additionally, the Archer Fellow Alumni Association (AFAA) and the Archer Center awards need- and merit-based scholarships of varying amounts.
Receiving an Archer Center scholarship is a profound honor and privilege, one that I hold in the highest regard. Without the funding I have received from the Archer Center, I wouldn’t have been able to have this incredible opportunity to grow my professional skills and start my career. The Archer Center’s investment in my academic pursuits serves as a testament to their commitment to fostering the growth and development of aspiring leaders. This scholarship not only alleviates financial burdens but also reinforces my determination to make the most of this exceptional opportunity, for me, my family, and my friends.
Jasmine Kaur
Fall 2023 Archer Fellow
Program Costs
Sample Budget
| Program Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees |
Waived, $0 |
| Program Fee |
$3,900 |
| Housing Fee |
$3,900 |
| Meals and Groceries |
varies |
| Personal expenses |
varies |
| Round-trip Flight (estimated) |
$500 |
| Metro U-Pass, unlimited D.C. metro |
$0 |
| Class materials (estimated) |
$80 |
| Total Expenses |
varies |
Funding Sources
| Funding Source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal & State Financial Aid |
varies |
| Campus-Designated Archer Fellow Funding |
varies |
| Archer Center Need- and Merit-Based Funding |
up to $8,000 |
| Archer Fellow Alumni Association Awards |
up to $1,000 |
| Other Archer Center Scholarships |
up to $2,000 |
| Archer Center Unpaid Internship Support |
up to $2,500 |
| Other Typical Semester Funding |
varies |
| Total Funding |
varies |
Note: Archer Fellows are required to have health insurance coverage for the duration of their time in the program.
Program Fee
While many semester-away programs charge students both tuition and a program fee, Graduate Archer Fellows only pay a program fee that replaces their typical tuition and fee bill. The current Graduate Archer Fellowship Program fee is $3,900, and it is subject to change in future years.
Housing Fee
Graduate Archer Fellows have the option to live in Archer Center-affiliated housing. Housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The current housing fee is $3,900 and is subject to change in future years.
Washington, D.C. Metro University Pass (U-Pass)
For the duration of the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program term in Washington, D.C., the Archer Center provides Graduate Archer Fellows with a Metro Card through the Washington Area Metro Transit Authority (WMATA) University Pass (U-Pass) Program. U-Passes provide unlimited rides on WMATA transit throughout the semester. This pass is paid for by student program fees. The summer WMATA U-Pass has an estimated value of $480. Availability of U-Passes is subject to change in future years.
Prospective Archer Fellows are encouraged to attend an information session. Specific funding questions can be addressed to archeradmissions@utsystem.edu.