Financial Support FAQs

 

1. How do I apply for financial support?
2. What forms of financial assistance are there?
3. How much is the financial assistance?
4. What is the difference between a TA and a RA?
5. Who determines whether I will receive financial support?
6. What factors determine whether I will receive financial support?
7. Why is the TA offer only for 8 months?
8. How long does support last?
9. I was admitted but what about financial support?

 

1. How do I apply for financial support?
   
   There is not a separate application. All applicants are automatically considered for financial support.
   
   
2. What forms of financial assistance are there?
   
   All of our fulltime graduate students are supported financially by either a Teaching Assistantship (TA) or a Research Assistantship (RA). Some students are supported directly by federal agencies through a contract or fellowship.
   
   
3. How much is the financial assistance?
   
   TAs at the MS level receive $1,000 per month and those at the PhD level receive $1,334 per month. RAs receive equal or larger amount of support determined by individual faculty members. All full-time graduate students receive health insurance and a tuition scholarship.
   
    
4. What is the difference between a TA and a RA?
    

   TAs are financed through the Departmental budget. The duty of the TA is to support the teaching activities of the Department.

   RAs are financed through research grants to individual faculty members. The duty of the RA is to support the research taking place in the faculty member's laboratory.
    

    

5. Who determines whether I will receive financial support?
   
   Decisions on TAs are made by the Department Chairman. Decisions on RAs are made by faculty members in control of research grants.
   
    
6. What factors determine whether I will receive financial support?
   
   Financial support is offered on a competitive basis. To be considered for a TA, grades, test scores and work/research experience are considered. To be considered for a RA, each faculty member must decide which applicant is the best fit in his/her research lab. They must decide whether you have the necessary interest, motivation and background to carry out research in a particular area. Have you made contact with faculty members to discussed your research interests? Unless you do so, there is little chance of you being offered a RA.
   
    
7. Why is the TA offer only for 9 months?
   
   Graduate students are generally supported for the full year. However, the need for teaching assistants is much greater during the fall and spring semesters than during the summer. Those who do not teach during the summer are usually supported by research assistantships from their major professor during the summer.
   
    
8. How long does support last?
   
   In general, financial support is continued as long as the student is making satisfactory progress toward his/her degree.
   
    
9. I was admitted but what about financial support?
   
   All applicants are automatically considered for financial support but admission and financial support are considered separate issues. Admission is based on qualification and availability of lab space whereas financial support is based on availability of funding. You should discuss this with your potential thesis advisor before you enroll.