Tuition and Fees

LIS students are charged the Professional Programs Rate, which is reduced from the standard University tuition. For the complete Tuition and Fees Schedule please visit Enrollment Services.

Graduate Tuition Discount

Graduate tuition for all Library & Information Science classes for 2024 - 2025 is $1,350* per credit.

NOTEThe below scholarships and financial aid apply to degree seeking students only.

Kortendick Scholarships

These competitive scholarships are awarded to promising incoming students, generally as a $5,000 award to be used during the first two semesters of study. Priority consideration is given to applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and/or combined GRE scores of at least 300. For most favorable consideration, candidates should provide GRE scores when applying to the program.

Graduate Library Pre-Professional (GLP) Programs

The Graduate Library Pre-Professional Program, administered by The Catholic University of America Libraries with the cooperation of the Department of Library and Information Science, provides selected students in the Library and Information Science program with pre-professional work experience in the University libraries. The GLP Program allows students to complete their degree requirements within a two-year period and combines full-time, salaried work with part-time study. Participants receive the Graduate Library Pre-Professional Scholarship, which provides six credit hours of tuition per semester. The GLP program is administered by the Mullen Library (202-319-5055). More details and information on how to apply are posted on the Graduate Library Preprofessional (GLP) Program web page.

The Catholic University Law Library administers a Law Library Graduate Library Pre-professional program. For more information, see the Law Library GLP program webpage.  

Candidates are welcome to apply to both GLP programs simultaneously, but separate applications are required.

Read GLP Katie Santa Ana's latest blog.

Howard and Mathilde Rovelstad Scholarship

The Howard and Mathilde Rovelstad scholarship is offered to students who are already enrolled in LIS who have demonstrated exceptional qualities. Read more about the Rovelstad scholarship.

Elizabeth W. Stone Scholarship

From 2023 Spring, the department awards the Elizabeth W. Stone Scholarship to support a LIS student in financial need with $5000. The Stone Scholarship is in honor of Dr. Elizabeth W. Stone, the former department chair who became the president of the American Library Association and designer of the America's Libraries Postage Stamp. Dr. Stone wished to create a scholarship fund supporting students from DC who need financial support for their studies in LIS. The scholarship will be awarded and applied toward the tuition for the Fall Semester. Read more about the Stone Scholarship. 

Catholic School Teacher's Tuition Waiver

This waiver covers one half of the regular graduate tuition for full-time teachers, administrators, librarians and guidance counselors who are employed by a Catholic elementary or secondary school while studying at Catholic University. The student must be in a degree-seeking. Read more about the discount

Third-Party Financial Aid

Many third parties offer financial aid for library students. The American Library Association, in addition to its own scholarship program (ALA Scholarship Program), keeps an annual directory of awards from state library agencies, national and state library associations, local libraries, academic institutions, and foundations who give some form of financial assistance.

Federal Student Loans

If you will require student loans to finance your education, Catholic University encourages students to look first to federal loan programs. These loans will nearly always offer better terms and conditions and lower interest rates than loans obtained directly through a bank.

Note that to apply for a federal student loan, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for help in applying for these loans at 202-319-5307 or https://financial-aid.catholic.edu/