Financial Assistance for Graduate School

Check into the following opportunities for Financial Assistance.

Fellowships/Traineeships

Fellowships and traineeships are grants awarded on the basis of academic merit, generally providing payment of tuition and a stipend for living expenses. Awards are highly competitive as they attract applicants from across the country.
Assistantships are available to help you earn money for your graduate study while obtaining work experience which may be (but does not have to be) related to your area of study. A teaching assistant teaches basic undergraduate classes and grades papers. A research assistant may assist faculty with research projects. other graduate assistantships are common in administrative offices across campus: residence life, career development, admissions, counseling, learning centers and other departments. Related majors and undergraduate activities will help you obtain one of these positions, since you will need to apply and interview for them. Assistantships usually require 15 to 20 hours a week and provide reduced or paid tuition, a stipend and at times, room and board.
Graduate and Professional School Financial Aid Service (GAPSFAS)

Financial aid is available for graduate students; check with the financial aid office.

Student Loans

The Perkins Student Loan Program (to be applied for at the institution of choice) and the Stafford Loan Program (can be applied for at any bank) are awarded to students on a need basis.

Employers-If you decide to get a job and obtain your graduate education at night, you may want to inquire about tuition assistance. Many employers offer reimbursement for tuition, in part or in full, to employees seeking to further their education.

When deciding to how and where to continue your education, it is often helpful to consider the following:

Your Motivation - What are your reasons for wanting to attend graduate school? Are your reasons sound or are you delaying the job search? Is it essential to entering a desired profession?
The Program - Does the emphasis of the program suit your educational goals? Should you have work experience before seeking a graduate degree? What kind of financial assistance is available?
The Faculty - What is the depth, diversity and availability of the faculty? Does the faculty represent a variety of points of view toward the discipline? Review faculty publications to see if their interests compare with your own.
The Facilities - How extensive are the library, laboratories, training and research facilities? How current and accessible are they?
The Students - Is the student body diversified? What is the geographic representation? Do students frequently fail to complete the degree? If so, why?
The Quality - Establishing the quality of a program is rather difficult. Consult with the faculty within your department or check with people within the profession.
The Future - Are graduates successful in finding employment? What kinds of positions do they accept? What assistance can the institution offer in the job search process? You may want to talk with current students about their plans after graduation.