Funding for graduate school typically falls into three areas: assistantships, fellowships, and other aid. Keep reading to learn about these funding options and be ready to critically assess your situation when you receive your letters of offer later this spring!
- At Nebraska, over 80% of full-time degree-seeking graduate students receive assistantships or fellowships.
- Nebraska awards over $1 million in fellowship funding every year, with three-year awards topping $8,000 per year for incoming students in addition to their assistantships, and $25,000 full-year fellowships for advanced students.
Assistantships
Assistantships are the most common way of financing graduate education for full-time students. Typically, assistantship appointments require students to work a set number of hours per week (generally ranging from 13 to 20), in exchange for a monthly stipend and, in many cases, tuition remission.
Here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, assistantships include a monthly stipend that varies by department, full resident or non-resident tuition remission in the fall and spring (most assistantships also cover summer tuition), and health insurance coverage.
Graduate assistantships (GAs) involve teaching, research, or administrative appointments, and each carries different duties and responsibilities.
In many departments, graduate teaching assistants (TAs) are fully responsible for teaching one or more sections of an introductory course in their discipline. For example, a TA in the English department may be given full responsibility for a beginning composition or literature course, handling everything from lectures to assignments and grading to student discipline.
In other departments, a TA may be assigned responsibility for one or more labs, discussion sections, or recitations of a larger lecture course. Such a position requires attendance at lectures, the preparation of supplemental and review materials, as well as grading assignments and exams. Finally, for other graduate teaching assistants, the primary duty may be grading assignments for a large course. In this situation, TAs often attend lectures, read assigned materials, and grade quizzes, essays, and exams.
Almost all TAs also often hold weekly office hours and assist undergraduate students outside of class with course material. Overall, graduate teaching assistant appointments offer a means to pay for graduate education, critical classroom experience, and are especially useful for those preparing for a career in academia.
Graduate research assistantships (RAs) provide another critical component of preparation for a career. RAs are typically assigned to work with a professor whose research interests are aligned with the student's, allowing the student to gain practical, hands-on experience in the lab, studio, or research team. Graduate research assistantships help to build research skills and frequently facilitate the student's own research as well. RAs often have opportunities to co-author scholarly products based on their research, present or prepare posters, and attend national or international conferences. Graduate research assistantship appointments not only help finance graduate education, but also provide valuable professional and research experience in the field.
Finally, general graduate assistantship appointments are offered in a variety of departments and offices across campus in administrative capacities. Students with administrative assistantships may perform a number of tasks, from research and writing or coordinating and supervising events, to direct involvement with undergraduate students and student activities. Many times these appointments allow graduate students to gain valuable experience related to career goals while funding their education. Many general graduate assistantships are housed in student affairs areas and are typically open to any major. However, students who have experience as resident assistants, student organization leaders, or were involved in campus activities as undergraduates would be best suited for these types of positions.
To locate available assistantships, students should first inquire in their academic department and then in related academic departments. Most programs employ their own graduate students and while priority usually goes to majors within a particular department, sometimes departments hire graduate assistants from related fields.
Locating graduate assistantships not housed in an academic department but in a student services office or program may take more work to find because most universities do not have a centralized process for advertising these positions. Start by checking office Web sites or making phone calls to directors or project coordinators. Also watch for specific postings in upcoming newsletters or check our listing of available assistantships postings. Most openings will be posted later this spring.
These offices and programs may hire graduate administrative assistants: student affairs, student involvement or campus activities, academic support and intercultural services, campus recreation, student health, career services, Greek affairs, international student services, graduate or undergraduate studies, housing and residence life, judicial affairs, admissions, registration and records, campus unions, human resources, scholarships and financial aid, facilities, and data and information services.
All graduate assistants are an important part of the university community. They provide essential teaching, research, and administrative functions for the campus. Remember every university has different assistantship packages, so it is important that you compare all details of any assistantship offer, not just the salary amount, to get the true picture of the compensation offered.
Fellowships
Similar to undergraduate scholarships, fellowships are merit-based awards that do not have to be repaid. Most fellowships are awarded to full-time, degree-seeking students and are competitive. They enable recipients to focus on graduate coursework and research full-time without requiring a work commitment as a graduate assistantship appointment does. In many instances, graduate fellowships include both remission of tuition and a stipend for living expenses. Some smaller fellowship awards are also added to assistantship packages to increase the total dollar amount of financial assistance.
A number of agencies award fellowships to both incoming and continuing graduate students. Many universities offer internally funded fellowships for graduate students enrolled at their institution. Most are awarded by graduate degree programs as part of a recruitment package or through another similarly competitive process. For example, at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, graduate fellowships are awarded to incoming students through college departments, and continuing student fellowships are awarded by the Office of Graduate Studies on a competitive basis. All new applicants are considered for fellowships such as the Othmer Fellowship, Chancellor's Fellowship, and August Edgren Tuition Fellowship.
Fellowships also are sponsored and funded by government agencies, corporations, charitable foundations, and numerous other groups. These external sources may be used to support your graduate work at any institution. Visit our external funding listing to locate the most prominent sources of graduate fellowships, dissertation fellowships, and post-doctoral fellowships. Use an online search engine like Google or Yahoo to locate specific organizations that offer graduate fellowships or try the Community of Science for the most comprehensive list of funding resources.
Eligibility criteria for graduate fellowships differ, but most are based on similar elements–previous, current, and potential academic performance and research; originality; and likelihood of completing work on schedule. Financial need or hardship is generally not a factor in fellowship competitions. When applying, be prepared with these general requirements: transcripts, statement of academic plan, and letters of reference. Take note of application deadlines, start early and thoroughly read instructions.
Other Aid
The primary source of funding beyond assistantships and fellowships is federal student aid; however this option is limited to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents only. In addition, students seeking only a graduate-level teaching endorsement or graduate certificate will not qualify for federal loans. Students must maintain at least part-time enrollment and be admitted into a degree-seeking graduate program.
The FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid may be completed as early as January 1 or as late as June 1 of the application year. Unlike undergraduate students who are eligible for federal grants and college work study, graduate students are eligible only for subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Because graduate students are eligible for loans only, it is not urgent to complete the application, but it is a good idea to submit a completed application online four to six weeks prior to the time in which the funding is needed.
It also is important to communicate with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid about all funding awards received. Assistantships and fellowships impact federal financial aid eligibility and you do not want to find yourself in a situation where you are responsible for portions of a loan you hadn't expected to repay.
Finally, while you are in graduate school, always look for supplemental funding opportunities to support your study. Many colleges and departments have funding to assist student travel to professional conferences, to present papers, and to attend poster sessions. Also, check with organizations like fraternities and sororities, churches, or other membership groups for additional funding opportunities.
Options for Part-Time Students
See Other Aid.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Many companies offer a tuition reimbursement program as part of employee benefits packages. Companies may offer to reimburse a portion or perhaps, even 100% of tuition costs incurred by their employees who are pursuing formal education. Some companies offer reimbursement on a sliding scale model. For example, 100% of tuition will be reimbursed for each grade of A, 75% for each B, 50% for each C, and so forth. Tuition reimbursement plans often include stipulations such as:
- A certain grade or grade point average must be achieved.
- Coursework must directly relate to your job or the company.
- Coursework must be pursued outside your normal work schedule.
- You must agree to continue to work for the employer for a certain length of time after coursework is finished.
Many financial assistance programs exist for those who currently are in the field of education, or who plan to begin a career in teaching. For instance, if you currently teach or plan to teach in Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Education offers forgivable loan programs. If you plan to teach outside the state of Nebraska, the U.S. Department of Education offers the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant.
Financial Assistance for Military Members and Veterans
Today’s G.I. Bill provides educational benefits for those currently serving in the military, as well as military veterans.