Tuition & Financial Aid

Scholarships for Incoming CDM Graduate Students

The scholarships below are available to incoming CDM graduate students. For additional information or questions regarding any of these scholarships, contact the CDM Graduate Admission Office.

For information on additional scholarships offered through the university, please visit DePaul’s Scholarships website.

CDM Graduate Presidential Scholarship (International Students only)

This scholarship program begins Fall 2025. Eligible programs of study include MS degrees in: artificial intelligence, business information technology, computer science, cybersecurity, data science, film and television, human-computer interaction, information systems, game programming, health informatics and software engineering. MA degrees in: animation, and digital communication and media arts. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered. There is no need for a separate application, the scholarship is awarded at admission. Selected students will be awarded from $6,000 to $9,000 over six consecutive terms. Students must be enrolled full-time for disbursement. This award cannot be used in combination with any other DePaul scholarships, waivers or awards.

MS-MA Graduate Scholarship (U.S. Citizens and Residents Only)

The CDM MS-MA Graduate Scholarship is for new students seeking an MA or MS degree (excluding the MS in Computer Science, MS in Information Systems and MS in Digital Communication and Media Arts) who are U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.

This scholarship is awarded as $1,000 per term for the first three (3) terms of enrollment, for a total award of $3,000. This award cannot be used in combination with any other DePaul scholarships, waivers or awards. Students are automatically reviewed at the time of admission for this scholarship.

DCMA (Digital Communication and Media Arts) Scholarship

The CDM DCMA Scholarship is for new students seeking an MA degree in DCMA with a Media Arts concentration who are U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents.

This scholarship is awarded as $525 per course, up to two courses per term ($1,050) for the duration of the program. This award cannot be used in combination with any other DePaul scholarships, waivers or awards. Students are automatically reviewed at the time of admission for this scholarship.

MFA Scholarship

A limited number of $7,500 scholarships are available for incoming MFA students ($2,500 is awarded in each of the first three quarters of attendance). To qualify, you must be incoming new MFA student to any CDM MFA program, apply by the priority application deadline, and undergo a portfolio review. All priority deadline admitted MFA students will be reviewed, so a scholarship application is not required. This award cannot be used in combination with any other DePaul scholarships, waivers or awards.

Double Demon Scholarship (DePaul Alumni only)

Any newly admitted student who has graduated from DePaul (has a degree conferred—bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) is eligible to receive a Double Demon Scholarship, a 25% automatic discount for any GRADUATE coursework they take after that conferred degree. This applies to MS, MA, MFA, and certificate programs offered through the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media. The Double Demon Scholarship cannot be used in conjunction with any other institutional aid or discount. DePaul employees who are alumni are eligible for other employee tuition benefits through the university and, therefore, are not eligible for the Double Demon Scholarship.

Scholarships and Grants for Continuing CDM Students

The CDM Scholarship Program awards scholarships and grants annually to continuing CDM undergraduate and graduate students. Learn about available opportunities on the CDM Scholarships and Grants page.

Students are also encouraged to visit Scholarship Connect for a full list of available scholarships at DePaul.

Graduate Assistantships and PhD Funding

A limited number of funding opportunities are available for qualified CDM graduate students. Graduate assistantships and PhD funding provide tuition and monetary awards based on academic merit, experience in the field, and recommendations.

Financing Your Education

Information on types of financial assistance—including scholarships and grants for incoming undergraduate students, military & veteran benefits, work-study, and employer tuition deferral—can be found on DePaul’s Office of Financial Aid website.

Tuition Costs

For information on current tuition rates, please visit the Office of Student Accounts website.

Undergraduate tuition is structured on a package rate. Full-time undergraduate students take between 12-18 credit hours per quarter and are charged the package price for tuition. Students taking fewer than 12 or more than 18 credit hours per quarter are charged on a per-credit hour basis.

Graduate tuition is charged on a per-credit hour basis.

Please note: students in the MFA Creative Producing program are required to pay an annual fee of $645 that covers parking and events (screenings, panels, tours).