MA Applied Anthropology Finances & Awards

In-State Tuition

Tuition and costs are described on this financial aid webpage. Please note that tuition rates are given for full-time students (greater than 6 units per semester). Those students attending part-time (0-6 units) pay less per term. You can estimate part-time fees by looking at the tuition and fees page (scroll down to Registration Fee Information & Rates and select a recent term). Keep in mind that tuition may change per year.

*Tuition for continuing students (who started in the pilot program prior to Fall 2024) is as previous, through CEEGE.

Out-of-State Tuition

  • Cal Poly Humboldt is part of the Western Regional Graduate Program - residents of the following states pay in-state tuition at Cal Poly Humboldt: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands/Guam.
  • A very limited number of out-of-state tuition waivers are available to graduate students who are not otherwise eligable for in-state tuition. These waivers typically last one year during which students pay (lower) in-state tuition rates. 
  • Out-of-state students can establish California residency by meeting requirements described here.

Graduate Financial Aid

Stu­dents are encour­aged to con­tact the Humboldt Financial Aid office for infor­ma­tion about avail­able grants, loans, schol­ar­ships and work study. Graduate students should also check out the Graduate Studies financial aid page.

Please be sure to fill out a FAFSA (see the FAFSA website for application details and deadlines) – it is recommended that you complete each year's FAFSA the Priority Deadline indicated on the FAFSA website to maintain eligibility for all scholarships/work study possibilities.

Note: Financial aid eligibility is reassessed when student status changes from undergraduate to graduate student. Students that utilize all of their undergraduate eligibility during the academic year that they start the program may have additional eligibility as MA students. Graduate students are eligible for financial aid if they are enrolled in at least 5-units.  Please contact the Humboldt Financial Aid office for infor­ma­tion.

Types of Graduate Support & Recognition

Student loans – Please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Work Study – Students that qualify for financial aid, such as loans, are often also eligible for Federal Work Study and Graduate Student Federal Work Study. These are attractive alternatives to student loans, because students gain work experience and lessen debt.  Students awarded work study can obtain positions across campus –  positions are also occasionally available in the Anthropology Department on a limited basis. To apply for work study, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships, Fellowships, Awards & Honors – Graduate Studies maintains a list of fellowships and scholarships broadly available to Humboldt graduate students. Also see this list of scholarships.  Students must complete a FAFSA on time to be eligible for scholarships and fellowships. In particular, please note these opportunities:

  • Alistair & Judith McCrone Graduate Fellowship Award – The Anthropology faculty as a group will nominate one full-time first-year graduate student, based on academic merit and performance in the program to date. Nomination decisions are generally made at the end of the first fall semester in the program, and nomination materials are submitted by the faculty and nominee at the beginning of the Spring semester. During late Spring, a reception will be held to recognize the nominees and announce the recipient of the award.
  • Annual CSU Student Research Competition – This competition is held to promote excellence in undergraduate and graduate scholarly research and creative activity by recognizing outstanding student accomplishments throughout the twenty-three campuses of the California State University.  Each campus will select up to ten entries to send to the final round at a CSU campus. Cal Poly Humboldt will partially offset travel costs for each student selected to represent Humboldt. The deadline to enter projects for the Humboldt competition is usually early Spring of the applicable year. Keep an eye out for announcements.
  • Patricia O. McConkey Outstanding Graduate Student Graduation with Distinction) – The Anthropology faculty as a group will nominate one graduating MA student each year based on academic merit, academic/peer service, and quality of thesis research. Nominations will be made mid-Spring for a student that is graduating that Spring (May) or that graduated the preceding Fall or Summer term.

Anthropology Scholarships and Teaching Assistantships

  • Scholarships: The Cal Poly Humboldt Anthropology Department offers a limited number of scholarships to new and continuing Master’s students. The award about is typically $500-$1000. When awards are available, a call for applications will go out with information. Example criteria upon which awards may be based include: academic merit, need, the contributions of student work to supporting diversity and inclusion, and/or other implications of research and professional goals. In addition to other application requirements, students must complete a FAFSA to be eligible.
  • Intern and Assistant Opportunities: See the Anthropology Department Internship & Student Assistant Opportunities document for more information.
  • Anthropology Student Travel Funds Application.
  • Instructional Student Assistant: Please see the APS page on positions for students. Please note that students may also apply for positions in departments other than Anthropology.
Employment Resources
External Funding

Students are encouraged to seek external scholarships, fellowships, and grants. Faculty work with students to support applications.

Housing & Dining

If desired, students may apply to Humboldt Housing + Dining services to explore on and off-campus housing options.

MA Applied Anth