Planning Your Finances
Graduate students find many ways to financially support their education, from assistantships and fellowships to loans and employment.
Program/College Funding
The most common source of support for students is their college or program. Many offer assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships. Typically, you can indicate your interest in being considered for these awards on your application for admission, but you should touch base directly with the program to which you are applying for details.
Fellowships
Fellowships are highly prestigious financial support packages that typically include a stipend, tuition remission, and a subsidy for medical insurance. They derive from University or external awards. Unlike assistantships, they do not have required instruction or research responsibilities. Recipients must be enrolled in degree programs and be registered full time.
Traineeships
Training grants are derived from agencies outside the University and are intended to support specific student learning experiences in core curricular areas and research methods. Institutional awards, typically under the direction of a faculty principal investigator, afford funding to support selected students with stipends, tuition grants-in-aid, and often include a subsidy for medical insurance.
External Funding Sources
Governmental agencies, foundations, professional associations, and other private entities offer financial support for graduate education. It takes some searching and leg work to locate, research, and apply for these opportunities, but the rewards can be substantial. You can talk with your adviser, program chair, or contacts at professional organizations in your field for help with identifying possible resources. The Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards Administration maintains a listing of external fellowships and awards that are announced throughout the academic year.
Loans and Employment
The Office of Student Aid administers the Stafford Loan program and the Federal Work-Study program, which are available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. To be considered for those sources of assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and meet eligibility guidelines.
Employment opportunities are available on campus in a variety of locations. Visit the Office of Student Aid's Employment page for information or the University's Job Opportunities website to begin your search.