Fellowship:
A stipend. An outright grant of money for which you may not be required to perform work or services.
- Awarded on the basis of academic potential, not financial need.
- The amount of stipend varies from several hundred to several thousand dollars, some part of which may be taxed.
- Sources:
- Institutional: Awarded by universities directly to students.
Government: Sponsors a number of different types of fellowships. Apply through individual universities.
- Private grants: Sponsored by private foundations, organizations, businesses, and industries. Some are awarded in specific areas or to specific types of students. Contact organizations directly
Assistantship:
An assistantship provides financial assistance in return for service or work performed for the university.
- The amount varies—may provide a full or partial tuition waiver and/or a sum of money each month.
- Some universities may require graduate assistants to take a reduced course load.
- Types of assistantships:Teaching: You provide the university with a specified amount of undergraduate teaching while you attend school. Advanced students may teach a lab, dissertation section, or a basic course in their field. Less advanced students may grade papers, proctor exams, prepare bibliographies, or assist in labs.
Research:
Similar to above except you do research under the supervision of graduate faculty.
Administrative:
You are assigned to work in an administrative office on campus.
Residence hall, student personnel, and counseling:
Frequently given to students in fields such as psychology, student personnel, or social work.
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Other Sources
Loans: (need-based and non need-based; awarded directly by the school, the government, or through private agencies.) Obtain the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) from your college or university financial aid office or from the schools to which you are applying. Information requested on this form is required in order to qualify for federal financial aid. Check with the financial aid offices at the schools to which you are applying to determine the types of loans available.
Military: Support for graduate or professional education in exchange for future military service.
Employment: It is difficult to manage full-time work and full-time graduate study. Students usually do one or the other part-time.
Helpful Tips
- Read university publications of all schools of interest to you. Look for financial aid programs specific to those schools plus information on any supplemental forms required by these schools in addition to the FAFSA. Many schools require additional forms to be submitted in order to qualify for assistantships and other school-specific aid.
- Watch deadlines for ALL sources of aid. Each one will be different so keep track.
- Ask questions! Make sure you know what forms are needed and when deadlines are ahead of time.
- Consider the obvious and less obvious costs of school when planning a budget. Not only is there tuition, books, housing and food, but also transportation, possible increased insurance rates if relocating, university deposits, housing deposits, etc.
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