Financial Assistance

Students who are admitted to the graduate program are offered a funding package for up to five years of support. The financial package includes stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. For students admitted for academic year 2008-09, funding is expected to include a first-year fellowship and four subsequent years of a combination of teaching, research and fellowship support. Provision of each year of this funding package is conditional on satisfactory progress toward the degree, including timely advancement to doctoral candidacy, and satisfactory fulfillment of teaching responsibilities.

Although financial support is guaranteed for five years (pending satisfactory performance), all students will be required to apply, at various times during their graduate career, for other sources of support for which they are eligible. Many of our graduate students have been successful in competitions for university-wide and external fellowships (e.g., NSF fellowships). For students who receive funding from a foundation or institution external to the University, it may be possible to combine funds in a way that will enhance their overall support package.

Prospective students with outstanding records are also encouraged to investigate sources of fellowship support external to the University. Exceptional applicants who are U.S. citizens or nationals or permanent residents should particularly consider applying for a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship or an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship. Please be aware that both fellowships have early application deadlines.