Finding Financial Aid for Graduate School

Cost Factors

Considerations:

  • in-state school vs. out-of-state school
  • where you live (residence hall, apartment)
  • field in which you specialize
  • cost of living in particular region

A majority of graduate students receive at least some financial support (see below).

Unlike undergraduate school aid, graduate support is often based on merit rather than need.

Sources for Financial Support

Fellowships are an outright grant of money, called a stipend, for which you are not required to perform any work or services.  The basis of the  award is your academic potential, not your financial need.  Fellowship sources include institutional, government, and private grants.

Assistantships are financial assistance provided by the university in return for service or work you perform for the school or department.  The amount varies.  It may provide a full or partial tuition waiver; it may provide a sum of money each month.  The advantage is that you receive not only money but also experience. 

Teaching Assistantships are teaching positions with a specified amount of part-time undergraduate teaching while you attend school.  Advanced students may teach a lab, or a discussion section of a course.  TA  positions can be a valuable experience if you plan a career in college teaching.

Research Assistants are similar to a TA except the student does research assignments under supervision of graduate faculty members.  Sometimes work done on a research assistantship can be used to partially meet requirements of your degree program.

Administrative Assistantship is an assistantship in an administrative office on campus.

Resident Hall, Student Personnel, and Counseling Assistantships  frequently are given to students in fields like psychology, counseling, student personnel and  social work.  They usually involve a combination of administrative work, counseling or advising.  Resident Hall assistantships usually involve living in an undergraduate hall.

Loans can be applied for through banks, government agencies and in some cases through a special university fund.

Internet Resources