HOW TO FIND MONEY FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL

HOW TO FIND MONEY FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL

(Mainly For Domestic Students )

Steps to Getting the Dollars

Select general area of graduate program (i.e., humanities, sciences, engineering, etc.)
* Some fellowships are designated to support specific areas (i.e., Mellon Fellowships for the humanities, Howard Hughes for the biological sciences, etc.)
* Select sources which match up, and eliminate those fellowship programs which are not applicable.
* Institutions may also have discipline-specific awards
* Search the Internet for funding sources (utilize list provided below).
Determine Degree Objective
* Further define sources available to you.
* Many institutions, agencies, foundations, organizations support students seeking the doctorate only.
* Contact graduate/professional school
o Reliable source for fellowship applications, reference manuals, etc.
o Access to financial support resource person likely who can assist in identifying support for which you may qualify.
Locate faculty members whose work most resembles your area of interest.
* Graduate Student Researcher positions mostly tied to faculty research grants
* Make contact with those professors.
Notify department of interest in consideration of all possible support
* Inform department/program of any fellowships (extramural) awarded to you.
* ;Inquire as to how your award will be supplemented for the non-fellowship years (i.e., TA, GSR/RA, etc.)
* Ask about the amount of fees and the method for paying them. (i.e., who will pay them?)
* Extramural funding deadlines likely to occur much earlier than institutional funding deadlines
* Assume normal requirements apply (i.e., transcripts, GRE, letters, etc.)
o Provide addressed, stamped envelopes to those from whom letters are requested.
o follow up to ensure that letters have been sent
* Fulfill entrance exam requirements early during senior year.
* November GRE will be too late for many extramural (i.e., NSF, Ford, Howard Hughes) funding opportunities.
* Work concurrently to gather information from Ford, NSF, Howard Hughes as these deadlines are all around the same time.
* Request letters of recommendation early
* Order transcripts in plenty of time to meet deadlines
* Submit fellowship application early; where possible utilize on-line applications
* Read and follow all instructions carefully and accurately.
* Late application are never accepted.
Reasons to seek extramural support
* Promotes professional development
* Some awards considered prestigious
* Graduate programs very interested in students applying for these funds.
o more inclined to be supportive of such students
o shows students' academic preparedness and motivation
* Students categorized as Honorable Mentions may also be funded.
* Best financial packages offered through some these programs (i.e., per year award substantial and usually covers multiple-year period).
* Along with departmental support, relieves concern of how educational/living expenses for duration of degree will be covered.
Institution-based fellowship support
* Explained in section below
Possible need for financial aid, need-based loans
* Loans should only be considered when financial need cannot be met.
* Contact campus-based Financial Aid Office for information. (see below for specific loans available)
* Select the loan option over the use of personal credit cards.
o no monthly payments incurred with loans
* Short-term emergency loans may be available in very limited amounts and when possible should be utilized in lieu of credit cards.

CAMPUS FUNDING
Types of Financial Support

Fellowship
* merit-based stipend plus fees should provide enough funds to pay for books, supplies and the cost of living
* single or multi-year
* will likely include TA or GSR/RA

Teaching Assistantship
* salaried position which requires attending professor's class and preparing discussion section, grading, reading and otherwise assisting faculty member with course instruction

Graduate Student Researcher (a.k.a. Research Assistantship)
* usually a laboratory environment where you learn research/technical skills while assisting a faculty member on his/her research project and eventually conduct your own project

Block Grants
* range of support varies and is provided mostly to supplement students' income or pay fees

Associate-In
* provides an opportunity for more advanced graduate students to teach a course

Traineeship
* grants to institutions to support various numbers of students in discipline- specific fields

Loans
* need-based support, formulated on student’s income rather than that of parent's
* eligible for Federal Direct Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (available through Financial Aid Offices)

Internships
* provides practical experience (usually relevant to student's research interest) and may be provided by an outside institution or agency (government, private industry) and may occur during a summer or an academic year.

Fee Fellowships
* usually provides fees and tuition for one year or multiple years
* fee differential may be provided when student employed

Dissertation Fellowships
* Applicants must be ABD
* Committee selected
* Created dissertation proposal
* Degree completion usually required by end of academic year but may be extended to include summer and/or fall quarter.
* Often plays major role in promoting the completion of the dissertation/degree as it allows student to focus.

Policies Governing Award Recipients

Making Satisfactory Progress
* Maintaining minimum Grade Point Average fellowship requirement
* Taking/passing all required departmental coursework, exams, etc.
* Fulfilling any TA requirements satisfactorily
o TA recipients awarded fellowships must also meet fellowship GPA requirements (normally exceeds TA requirement).

For Multi-Year Recipients (continuing students)
* Continuation of award contingent upon meeting academic standards
* Reporting requirements
* Maintaining required courseload
* Fulfilling advancement to candidacy requirements
* Not exceeding maximum (8 units) incomplete, "F" and/or NC grades
* Annual FAFSA filing by Spring deadline
* Reporting any change in status immediately (e.g., change in degree bjective, change of field/department, leave of absence, extended absence from class or withdrawal must be reported to Graduate Division/Graduate School immediately).
* Responsible for reporting fellowship awards when filing taxes

EXTRAMURAL FUNDING
Portable Awards

* all students should seek these funds
o if not successful first time, apply again
o first-year graduate students and seniors eligible to apply
* apply directly to funding agency/foundation
* multi-year award (usually three years of fellowships and fees)
*
* award may include the use of unused cost of education allowance for students' (COE) own research and other educational needs (i.e., purchasing a computer, a printer, or attending conferences, etc.)
* award amounts are usually substantial (i.e., $14,000+)
* often 12-month awards
* important professional experience

Other Types of Extramural/Portable Awards

* may be need-based award
* stipend plus fees
* usually multi-year
* recipient must qualify for each year awarded
* level of funding based on level of need
* could be awarded less than the maximum (up to $15,000)

SOURCES OF FUNDING

Institutional
* fellowships, teaching assistantships, researcher positions, supplies, equipment through department

State Government
* mostly need-based with residency required to be eligible
* filing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) required for many states
* federal dollars not transferrable from one state to the next

Federal Government
* available through various U.S. agencies, foundations and departments including National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education and Energy
* fellowship programs include Jacob K. Javits, Grants for Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN), and loan programs such as Stafford Direct and Indirect Loans
* Work-Study for graduate students may be administered by a financial aid office or the Graduate Dean

Foundations
* funding provided in specific areas or for specific groups
* Ford funds predoctoral, dissertation-year and postdocs, specifically for minority students
* Howard Hughes funds predoctoral students in the biological sciences
* Mellon awards students in the predoctoral humanities

Individual and Organizations
* provide various amounts of awards for particular purposes and sometimes for particular individuals

FINANCIAL PACKAGE
A Good Financial Package

Provides a combination of funding sources
* fellowship - no work involved
* teaching assistantship - gives you teaching experience
* research position - learning to conduct research while earning salary
* TA and or GSR/RA position promotes socialization of the student into the program/department
* TA may be core requirement of graduate program

A Poor Financial Package

Unvaried funding source
* total teaching assistant - too demanding
* total fellowship - lack of teaching experience, lab expenses
* total research position - does not provide teaching experience; may not allow you to work on your own research (some exceptions)

Process for Consideration of Financial Support (on campus)

Nomination Process
* Most institutions consider all their admitted applicants for support
* Admission Application may allow selection of interest in financial support, including type of support (e.g., TA, GSR, fellowship, etc.).
* Department/Program sends Graduate Dean nomination requests for new or continuing student(s)
* Decision to award made
o Student informed of admission/award package simultaneously
o April 15 national deadline for notification of acceptance/declination of admission/award
o Notify declinations to institutions as soon as decision made as may allow reallocation of funds to other students

Following Award Acceptance
* File FAFSA
* For nonresidents, after arriving in institution state, immediately begin establishing residency.
o Open a bank account
o Register to vote
o Obtain state driver’s license or I.D.
o File residency paperwork with Office of Registrar
o By no later than twelve months later, file additional required paperwork with Office of Registrar.
o Nonresident tuition paid first year only
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General Requirements for Funding Opportunities to Qualify for State Funding

Eligibility
o U.S. Citizen
o Permanent Resident
o California Resident (If not resident, must obtain residency status by the next academic year.)
o Follow All Application Instructions to the Letter

Merit
o High Quality Academic Standing, based on bachelor's record and/or master's record
o Strong Letters of Recommendation from faculty advisors
o Strong GRE Scores
o Good Research Experience
o TA Experience
o Publications
o Accomplishments
o High Quality Writing Sample
o Department/Program Interview

All or several of the above items will be required no matter where you apply to graduate school, especially academic standing, GRE scores, letters and research experience. Also, some of the same requirements may be applicable for extramural awards. Other criteria relevant to successful completion of a graduate degree may also be considered. Often, the graduate dean will provide some oversight with the administration of both campus and extramural awards. This is the case even when fellowship stipends are paid directly to the students. The fee portion of the award is always administered by the institution and is usually included in what is termed "educational allowance." Any excess of the educational allowance not used for fees and/or tuition may be requested for use by the student for other educational costs (e.g. attending a conference, purchasing research supplies or equipment or computers, printers, etc.).

GRADUATE STUDENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

American Geological Institute for Minority Participation program
Eligible applicants are doctoral students in geological sciences.

American Indian Graduate Center Fellowships
Eligible applicants are American Indian and Alaskan Native students seeking master's, doctoral or professional degrees.

American Political Science Association Graduate Fellowships for Minority Students
Eligible applicants are doctoral students in political science.

American Psychological Association for Minority Fellowship Program
Eligible applicants are doctoral students in psychology.

American Sociological Association Minority Fellowship Program

Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships
Eligible applicants are students with outstanding potential in the applied physical sciences

Ford Foundation for Minority Fellowships (Predoctoral and dissertation-year awards)
Eligible applicants are ethnic minority interested in academic careers.

Forgivable Loan/Doctoral Incentive Program for doctoral students at accredited universities nationwide, providing five years of support for a total of $30,000. Loan forgiveness: twenty percent of the loan is forgiven for each year of full-time postdoctoral teaching at a California State University campus.

Forgivable Loan/Doctoral Incentive Program
Office of the Chancellor
The California State University
400 Golden Shore, Suite 222
Long Beach, CA 90802-4275

GEM Fellowships in Engineering
Eligible applicants are American Indian, African American, Mexican American, Hispanic and Puerto Rican students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in engineering.

Gates Millenium Scholars
c/o The United Negro College Fund
8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
P O Box 10444
Fairfax, VA 22031-8044

GEM Fellowships in the Natural Sciences
Eligible applicants are American Indian, African American, Mexican American, Hispanic and Puerto Rican students pursuing doctoral degree in physical or life sciences.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute Predoctoral Fellowships in the Biological Sciences
Eligible applicants are pursuing a doctorate in the life sciences.

Jacob K. Javits Fellowships
Eligible applicants are those pursuing the doctorates in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
Jacob K. Javits Fellows Program
P.O. Box 84
Washington, D.C. 20044
(202) 260-3574

Mellon Fellowships in the Humanities
Eligible candidates are doctoral students in the humanities

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Inc.

National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowships
Eligible candidates are pursuing graduate studies in science and engineering disciplines with military importance.
http://www.battelle.org/ndseg/

National Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Grants for up to $1,000 for Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students.
http://www.hsf.net

National Medical Fellowships
Eligible applicants are minority students in first- and second-year medical studies.

National Medical Fellowships, Inc.
110 W. 32nd Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 714-0933

National Physical Science Consortium Graduate Fellowships
All are welcome to apply. Emphasis is placed on eligible candidates who are African American, Hispanic, or American Indian or women who are underrepresented, pursuing a doctorate in the physical sciences.
http://www.npsc.org

National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships
Awards multiple-year fellowships for students in engineering or the natural or social sciences.
http://www.nsf.gov

UNCF/MERCK Graduate Science Research Dissertation Fellowships
Awards science dissertation research fellowships to African Americans enrolled full-time in the life sciences or physical sciences.
http://www.uncf.org/merck/program.htm

U.S. Department of Energy Integrated Manufacturing Predoctoral Fellowships
Eligible applicants are doctoral students in engineering and other applied science fields whose research interests relate to integrated manufacturing systems.
http://www.energy.gov

OTHER INTERNET SOURCES OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

American Association of University Women Fellowships (Dissertation Fellowships, International Fellowships & Selected Professions Fellowships)
http://www.aauw.org

California Student Aid Commission
http://www.csac.ca.gov/

Cornell University Graduate Fellowship Notebook - database of minority scholarships
http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Student/GRFN/

Department of Education EASI (Easy Access for Students and Institutions) Program
http://www.easi.ed.gov

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on the Web
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Fast Aid - Free Online Scholarship Database
http://www.fastaid.com

Fastweb.com - Free Internet Financial Aid Search Services
http://www2.fastweb.com/fastweb/

Financial Aid Page
http://www.finaid.org/finaid/focus/grad.html

Humanities Research Institute
http://www.ucop.edu/research/human.html

Institute of Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC)
http://www-igcc.ucsd.edu/igcc/Z/igccmenu.html

Mildred E. Mathias Graduate Research Grants
http://nrs.ucop.edu/info/grants/mathias_annc.html

Minority On Line Information Service, U.S. Government
http://www.rams-fie.com/molis/scholar.html

National Research Council
http://www2.nas.edu/fo/

NRS Student Research Grant Program
http://nrs.ucop.edu/info/grants.html

President's Research Fellowships in the Humanities (PRFH)
http://www.ucop.edu/research/prfh.html

Princeton University's Graduate School List of External Funding Sources
http://webware.princeton.edu/GSO/finance.htm#

Purdue Research Foundation S.P.D. External Funding Sources for Non-Purdue Students
http://www.purdue.edu/dsp/ResearchServices/databases.html

Rockefeller Foundation Organization
http://www.rockfound.org/frameset.html

UCR Graduate Student Financial Support
http://www.cnas.ucr.edu/~graddiv/FinSupport.html

Yahoo.com Financial Aid Website
http://www.yahoo.com/education/financial_aid/



OTHER SOURCES OF GRADUATE STUDENT FELLOWSHIPS/GRANTS

A Selected List of Fellowship Opportunities and Aid to Advanced Education
Public Office, National Science Foundation
1800 'G' Street NW
Washington, DC 20550.

A Selected List of Post-Secondary Education Opportunities for Minorities and Women
U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare
Office of Bureau of Higher Education
Room 4913, ROB-3
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202.

A Selected List of Fellowship Opportunities and Aid to Advanced Education
National Science Foundation
Publication Office
Arlington, VA. Free

A Selected List of Post-Secondary Education Opportunities for Minorities and Women
U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare
Office of Bureau of Higher Education
Room 4913, ROB-3
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202.

Admission Requirements of U.S. and Canadian Dental Schools
American Association of Dental Schools
Department of AR
1625 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036-2212.

Allied Health Education Directory
American Medical Association
Order Department, OP 417594
P. O. Box 7046
Dover, DE 19903

Annual Register of Grant Support
Reed Elsevier-New Providence
121 Chanlon Road
New Providence, NJ 07974.

Barrons Guide to Graduate and Business Schools
Barrons Educational Series
250 Wireless Boulevard
Hauppage, NY 11788

Free Money for Graduate School
Blum, Laurie, 1996
http://www.amazon.com

Financing Graduate School
McWade, Patricia, Peterson's 1996
http://www.petersons.com

Graduate and Professional School Opportunity for Minority Students
Educational Testing Services
Princeton, NJ 08540

Graduate Financial Resources for Minority Students in Engineering and Science
National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM)
P.O. Box 537
Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Graduate and Professional Opportunity for Minority Students
Educational Testing Service
Princeton, NJ 08540

Grants for Graduate and Predoctoral Study and Financing Graduate School
Petersen's Education Center
P.O. Box 2123
Princeton, NJ 08543-2123

Grants at a Glance
published by the Association for Women in Science and lists funding sources for women in science programs
Association of Women in Science
2410 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 303
Washington, DC 20037.

Grants for Graduate Study
1992, 3rd ed. Princeton, NJ: Peterson's Guides.

Guide to Study in Psychology
American Psychological Association, Order Department
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242.

Guide to Graduate Education in Urban and Regional Planning
Planners Bookstore
American Planners Association
1125 S. Michigan, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603-6107

Guide to Corporate Support of Graduate Education
Council for Financial Aid to Education
680 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019

Guide to Graduate Study in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Public Administration and Doctoral Programs in Business Administration
The Economics Institute
115 Stoneridge Drive
Chapell Hill, NC 27514

Guide to Architecture Schools
1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Guide to Corporate Support of Graduate Education
Available from Council for Financial Aid to Education
680 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019

Health Services Administration Education
The Association of University Programs in Health Administration
1911 North Fort Myers Drive, Site 503
Arlington, VA 22209

How to Get Money for Research
Mary Rubin by Feminist Press as source for dissertation research funds for women (mostly in women studies area)

Medical School Admissions Requirements, US and Canada
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Minority Student Opportunity in US Medical Schools
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Official Guide to U.S. Law Schools
Law School Admission Services
Box 2400
Newton, PA 18940-0977

Pharmacy School Admission Requirements
American Association of Colleges and Pharmacy
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2841

Programs in Public Affairs and Administration
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
1120 G Street, NW, Suite 730
(or P.O. Box 92984)
Washington, DC 20005(20090)

Project 1000
Arizona State University
(administration site, toll free #1-800-327-4893)
goal is to recruit/retain Latino students in graduate programs

The Graduate Scholarship Book: The Complete Guide to Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants and Loans for Graduate and Professional Study
2nd ed. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1990

The Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements: the Official AAVNC Handbook
Betz Publishing Company, Inc.
351 W. Camden Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

Additionally, check with Graduate Schools for funding sources as many maintain libraries which include campus and external funding sources. Career Centers also offer an abundance of information on financial support opportunities.


ACRONYMS

While some of these acronyms are not mentioned in this document, in your search for graduate institutions and financial support, you may come across many of them.

AACRAO Association of American Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
ABD All But Disseration
APA American Psychological Association
ASA American Sociological Association
AAAS American Association of University Professions
ASEE American Society for Engineering Education
AY Academic Year
BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs
COE Cost of Education Allowance
ED U.S. Department of Education
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ETS Educational Testing Service
FAF Finanacial Aid Form
FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Assistance
FICA Federal Insurance Corporation of America (Soc.Sec.Tax)
FDSLP Federal Direct Student Loan Program
FY Fiscal Year
GEM National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science
GRE Graduate Record Exam
GSHIP Graduate Student Health Insurance Program
GSR Graduate Student Researcher
HEA Higher Education Act
HHS Department of Health and Human Services
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NAS National Academy of Science
NIH National Institute of Health
NIMH National Institute of Mental Health
NRC National Research Council
NRT Nonresident Tuition
NSA National Science Academy
NSF National Science Foundation
PAF Personnel Action Form
PFR Partial Fee Remission
RA Research Assistantship
SAR Student Aid Report
SC Student Contribution
SS Social Security
TA Teaching Assistantship
TF Teaching Fellow
TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
USDE United States Department of Education
USED United States Department of Education



GLOSSARY
Acceptable Progress Demonstrating good academic standing and overall performance in program requirements, based on an approved graduate program time frame.
Advancement to Candidacy After completing all University and graduate program requirements, student must pass a series of written and oral qualifying examinations.
Defense Final requirement for dissertation and the final oral examination on doctoral candidate’s dissertation.
Dissertation Prospectus a statement of the dissertation topic, how the research will be conducted, what it will entail and what it will accomplish.
Financial Aid Transcript A listing of all financial aid student has received while attending a particular institution.
Need Analysis The process of determining the estimated income student will need to successfully progress through degree (usually required annually).
Normative Time This is the approximate amount of time in which a student should go from graduate admission to filing the dissertation.
Teaching Fellow An advanced graduate student teaching a lower division course to a group of students, under Faculty supervision.
Terminal Master's The highest degree offered in a given graduate program.