Financial Aid

The Department provides financial assistance to students who have demonstrated superior academic performance. The Department awards several Special Doctoral Research Assistantships (SDRA), and a large number of Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) every year. The SDRA's are University funded, but most of the GRA and GTA positions are funded from Departmental and external research funds. Regardless of the source of funds, all types of award mentioned above are regarded as "Departmental funding" for the purposes of tuition and workload determination. Occasionally, University-funded Doctoral Fellowships (DF) or University Fellowships (UF) may also be available. The various forms of financial aid are described next.

8.1 Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)

A graduate student works with a faculty member on a research project of mutual interest. All students receiving research assistantships must write a thesis or dissertation on a topic approved by their Advisor. The research assistantship is usually awarded on a half-time basis, and it requires the student to spend a minimum of 20 hours per week on the research project. Students working on their thesis or dissertation usually devote significantly more time, since the above mentioned commitment represents only the time spent under the direction of the Advisor and not the time spent directly preparing the thesis or dissertation. In some cases, a quarter-time assistantship, requiring a minimum of 10 hours per week, may be awarded. GRA appointments are usually renewable, provided that the Advisor is satisfied with the student's performance and funds are available.

8.2 Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)

A teaching assistant is usually assigned to a faculty member to assist in the preparation of lectures, for conducting recitations and laboratory sessions, for grading homework assignments, and/or for maintaining office hours to assist students. Occasionally, a senior graduate student may be assigned to teach an undergraduate course on an independent basis. In that case, the GTA is responsible for lecturing, grading homework and examinations, and for preparing the final grades for the course.

All GTAs must attend the University GTA workshops and pass the "Speak Test" before undertaking instructional assignments. For international students, a high TOEFL score is essential for a GTA award. GTA's may also be required to prepare a thesis or dissertation as described in Section 8.1.

8.3 Fellowships

Fellowship recipients will be required to assume some research and/or teaching responsibilities as described for GRAs and GTAs.

8.4 Tuition Grants

Tuition grants may be available to cover all or part of a Master's student's in-state tuition charges. Students receiving a Tuition Grant may be assigned instructional or research responsibilities as a condition for the award. Students receiving a Tuition Grant are required to register for at least nine credit hours during the semester it is used or at least six credit hours if used the summer session.

8.5 Unfunded Tuition Scholarships

The University issues Unfunded Tuition Scholarships (UTS - basically Tuition Waivers) to fund the tuition of qualified, financially supported students. It is extremely important that the student register for classes early in order for the UTS amounts to be determined correctly, and processed by the Financial Aid Office and the Office of Finance to avoid over billing the student and late fees. The student may be held responsible for unpaid tuition amounts.

To be eligible for an UTS award, graduate students must be financially supported at the level of $2500 for a semester during the academic year and $1334 during the summer session (for AY 97-98).

8.6 Responsibility for Hours

Each GRA, GTA, or other financially supported student is appointed for a specified number of hours over a specified period of time. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that, as a minimum, this number of hours is actually worked. In this regard, it needs to be made particularly clear that the performance periods are, for the Fall semester, August 16th thru December 31st inclusive, and for the Spring semester, January 1st thru May 15th inclusive. Only those scheduled hours which fall on regular University holidays are excused. For situations where the student or their supervisor can foresee that the student will, for whatever reason, be unable to contribute the required hours, the GPD and Chair should be informed immediately.

In all cases, a GRA, GTA or similar appointment should be viewed primarily as a means for meeting personal expenses while the candidate works as rapidly as possible towards completion of the degree program.

8.7 Stipends

8.7.1 Academic Year Support

Master's students on half-time assistantship are typically awarded at least $8,000 for the academic year and are required to pay in-state tuition and fees. A Doctoral assistant is typically awarded at least $9,000 for the academic year and receives a full waiver for tuition and mandatory fees. For a quarter-time assistantship, students receive one half of the corresponding stipend, but the same treatment in terms of tuition. Fellowship amounts are variable and recipients are not eligible for in-state or full tuition waivers.

8.7.2 Summer Support

Limited University or Departmental general funds are usually available for graduate student support during the summer. Students are encouraged to seek alternative sources, principally externally funded research projects from their Advisor.

8.8 Conditions for Financial Aid

8.8.1 Outside Employment

Under no conditions should supported students seek outside employment without the approval of the GPD, the Department Chair, and the Dean. Students with half-time assistantships will usually be prohibited from accepting outside employment. Students on quarter-time assistantships may be granted permission to undertake limited outside employment. International students must also consult the Office of International Student and Faculty Services to determine eligibility with respect to Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) regulations.

8.8.2 Grade Point Average

All supported students on half-time assistantships must register for a full-time course load, as described earlier in this Handbook. All supported students must maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, and must maintain at least a 3.00 average during each semester they are supported.

8.8.3 Time Limits

Master's and Doctoral students are generally only supported from University or Departmental general funds for a maximum of two and four years, respectively. Similar time limits apply to students funded by external research projects. Extensions beyond these limits need to be discussed with the Department Chair.

8.9 Responsibilities and Evaluations

Each teaching or research assistant should be provided with a written description of their responsibilities by their Advisor or Supervisor. The faculty member will also provide the student, GPD, and Chair a brief written evaluation of the student's performance each semester. Satisfactory performance is a primary condition for continuation of financial aid.