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Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows

The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program at ASU assists Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) in obtaining an affordable master’s degree in several programs.

If chosen as a Coverdell Fellow:

You will receive tuition assistance, depending on the degree program you choose.
A master’s degree that will enhance your earning power and marketability with employers
You will provide much-needed assistance to underserved American communities

Explore the other tabs on this web page to find complete requirements, how to apply, and the programs you can apply for at ASU.

Benefits

Tuition Assistance

ASU’s Coverdell Fellows receive a waiver of in-state tuition, varying depending on the academic unit, applied to the standard (base) graduate tuition. Tuition is set by the Arizona Board of Regents each spring. The tuition award does not include departmental differential tuition or program fees, additional fees, health insurance, or books.

Graduate tuition support may be affected by other support, including departmental or external scholarship or fellowship support and graduate assistantships. Fellows are encouraged to seek additional support from the academic unit or from extramural funding sources.

Needs-Based Scholarship

ASU’s Coverdell Fellows in participating academic programs will be eligible to receive a needs-based scholarship from Graduate College up to $2,500 ($1,250 per semester) with matching funds from their academic unit. Financial need is determined by submitting a FAFSA.

Application Waiver

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are eligible to have their application fee waived. Complete the Coverdell application and attach the appropriate documentation before submitting. You will be notified by the Coverdell Coordinator once your fee waiver has been applied so that you may submit your graduate application.

Professional Development

The core expectation of U.S. Peace Corps is that Coverdell Fellows provide service or benefit to an underserved domestic community. This is a minimum of 300 hours per academic year. Each academic program will have expectations for how this will be completed. The service opportunity can be designed to provide practical professional experience and supplement your academic studies. If your academic unit requires an internship as part of your degree program, those hours may dually satisfy your Coverdell service requirement.

Please consult the academic program and Coverdell Coordinator if you have further questions.

ASU Peace Corps Community

ASU’s Coverdell Fellows will be required to participate in one major Peace Corps event per semester. A calendar of Peace Corps events will be made available to all Coverdell Fellows by the Coverdell Coordinator each semester. The event will be determined by the Fellow coordinating with the ASU STRAT and with the consultation of the Coverdell Coordinator.

Eligibility

All Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who satisfactorily complete their service have lifetime eligibility for Coverdell Fellows Program.

"Satisfactorily Completed" means the volunteer:

completed the full two-year tour of Peace Corps service, or the full tour minus up to 90 days if he/she returned home on an emergency leave;
was granted "Early Close of Service" or "Interrupted Service" status due to circumstances that were beyond his/her control; or
was medically separated as a Volunteer

ASU Coverdell Fellows Annual Requirements

Admission to a graduate degree-seeking program with a current Coverdell Fellowship Program
Must maintain full-time academic status and complete service as outlined below
- Must complete an internship in support of their academic program or area of study that facilitates intercultural exchanges within a community in the United States (including U.S. territories). Internships must be reported to ASU Coverdell Coordinator and should be substantive, generally lasting at least a cumulative 150-300 hours.
- Participate in one professional development event per semester and two service activities per year (which can include Peace Corps Week activities and outreach talks about Peace Corps)

Application

Instructions

To be considered for the Arizona State University Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Program you must:

The Coverdell Fellowship program application for the 2027-28 will open in early September 2026. The application link will be availabe on this webpage. Please check back in September.
Begin your admissions application, but do not submit (until the Graduate College Coverdell Coordinator has contacted you that your application fee waiver* is applied).
- You will need your application reference number for your Coverdell Application.
- The Coverdell application deadline corresponds with the application deadlines of the program to which you are applying.
Complete your Coverdell Application attach your DOS or service letter and submit.
- Instruction on file naming and eligible documentation is included in the application. File must be a pdf document to upload.
The Graduate College Coverdell Coordinator will email after submission to notify you of eligibility and with the ASU application fee waiver*.
Complete and submit your online degree application for the participating program.
Upon admission to an ASU graduate degree program, the program will then select Coverdell Fellows from the eligible applicants.

Questions about the Coverdell Application or eligibility can be directed to [email protected]. Coverdell Fellowship offers are made by individual academic programs.

*Only approved Coverdell programs are eligible for the application fee waiver.

Academic Programs

When applying, be sure to observe the academic program's deadlines and submit all paperwork by the academic deadline.

Below are the departments that partner with the ASU Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows Program. Please click on the degree name for additional information about the degree.

The College

For applicants interested in applying for programs in The College:

Fellowship applications are reviewed for Fall only. All Coverdell fellowship applications and admission application materials must be received by February 3 to be considered for a fellowship the following fall semester; this applies to all programs, including those with a rolling deadline. Please be sure to review your program of interest’s application deadlines, as these may be before the February 3 fellowship deadline.

The number of available fellowships is limited and highly competitive.

School for the Future of Innovation in Society

Applications accepted every other year. Currently accepting applications for Fall 2025; next opportunity will be for Fall 2027. The deadline is February 15 of the application year.

Global Technology and Development (MS)

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Human Systems Engineering (MS)
Engineering (MS)
Environmental and Resource Management (MS)
Aviation Management and Human Factors (MSTech)
Graphic Information Technology (MSTech)
Information Technology (MS)
Management of Technology (MSTech)

Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation

New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

Thunderbird School of Global Management

Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Master of Mass Communication (MMC)
Investigative Journalism (MA)

W. P. Carey School of Business

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Frequently asked questions

What is the Coverdell Fellows program?

The Peace Corps Fellows program allows Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) to attend Arizona State University with reduced expenses while serving in an internship that benefits an underserved domestic community.

Must I have completed my Peace Corps service to be eligible?

Coverdell Fellows normally complete two years of service and have received a complete close of service. However, exceptions are made for volunteers who were medically separated or forced to leave service through no fault of their own, such as a country crisis. Applicants must provide signed copies of the appropriate eligibility documentation (the DOS) prior to starting the program.

Can I apply to Coverdell Fellows or to Arizona State University before I go abroad?

No. The Coverdell Fellows is only for volunteers who will have completed service by the time they enter school. We recommend that you apply 9 to12 months prior to the date you wish to begin your studies.

Are most Coverdell Fellows recently returned from service?

Most Coverdell Fellows have returned from service within the last 3 to 5 years. However, RPCVs are eligible to apply to the program regardless of the date of their Peace Corps service. We encourage RPCVs to apply if they are interested in returning to academia and providing service in central Arizona.

Do I receive academic credit for my Peace Corps service?

There are no participating departments that give credit for Peace Corps service.

How can I find out what programs are eligible for the Coverdell Fellowship at Arizona State University?

Eligible programs are listed on the programs tab above.

Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT?

Departments generally require a standardized test for graduate admissions. Check program descriptions and requirements by clicking the degree name on the programs tab above.

How is the GPA evaluated?

Graduate College evaluates the GPA generally by your last 60 credits or last two years of undergraduate study. If your GPA for this period is below a 3.0, or if you are lacking certain required courses for the field of study you wish to enter, you might consider taking additional courses as a non degree-seeking student to make up deficits. A non degree-seeking student cannot be a Coverdell Fellow.

What is my obligation as a Fellow at ASU?

Coverdell Fellows commit to 300 hours of service and other requirements per year for two years (total 600 hours). Coverdell Fellows hold an internship that benefits an underserved community. This can generally be fulfilled by working 10 hours per week during each 15 week semester. Internships may be funded through Work Study, certain graduate assistantships, AmeriCorps, or other employment.

Coverdell Fellows are expected to participate in one professional development event each semester, two service activities per year, Peace Corps Week activities, and outreach talks about Peace Corps. Additionally, Coverdell Fellows must submit hours of service and periodic evaluation reports. Renewal of the fellowship is contingent on progression to degree, fulfillment of service obligations, and active participation as a Fellow. Coverdell Fellows may go on “reserve” to complete a departmental internship or to take advantage of fellowships or opportunities which require a full-time commitment. Coverdell Fellows conducting research or study abroad are placed on reserve.

How many RPCVs live in Phoenix?

Approximately 300 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers live in the Phoenix area, and 2,000+ live in Arizona. The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Phoenix meet bi-monthly, donate to Peace Corps projects worldwide, and welcome all Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows. ASU is a top recruiter school for Peace Corps.

When should I apply?

Our priority deadline is January 15 for a fall start. We accept applications up to March 1. Some academic programs will have earlier deadlines and these dates will take priority over the Coverdell Fellowships.

All applicants should file the FAFSA in January. It can provide financial support in the form of loans, grants, and work study.

Can the ASU application fee be waived?

Yes. When applying, please follow the instructions outlined on the "Instructions" tab of this page.

Are online programs eligible for the Coverdell Fellowship?

No. Currently only on campus programs are eligible for the Coverdell Fellowship.

Contact Information

University Coverdell Coordinator

Interdisciplinary B, Mail Code 1003
1120 South Cady Mall
INTDSB 288
PO Box 871003
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003

480-965-3521

Email: Coverdell Coordinator