I am also in the same boat of trying to decide between MPP at HKS and MPA at SIPA. I didn't get any funding from either so I suppose the cost is not the issue except for the fact that it seems very likely to be able to obtain funding at SIPA in one's second year - though this is nor guaranteed. and funding could be as little as 6,500 per semester making the financial difference still negligible (considering the cost of living in NY).
Harvard however has the better name and is considered on many different accounts and rankings a top policy school. Is the possibility of obtaining funding in one's second year sway me from opting for Harvard and the Harvard name and education? When it comes to employers, will the Harvard vs. Columbia name make that much of a difference?
I intend to focus on social policy while in either programs, particularly on welfare and labor issues. Both programs seem more or less on par with each other from that perspective so it's hard to make the decision based on the best program for me.
Your help on this issue would be highly appreciated!
