Learn about financial help which may be available to you as a graduate student. Please note, in many instances, some assistant opportunities are available only at certain times of the year and require a deadline-enforced application.
Campus-based aid (special non-resident waivers, loans, and college work-study) applications should be made the January preceding the fall/spring semester for which aid is desired.
To obtain specific details about a particular type of financial assistance and to learn about options for graduate students, contact the Financial Aid Office.
Funding Your Graduate Education
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Option |
What it is / Why it matters |
Pros / Cons / Key Considerations |
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Merit- or need-based funding, sometimes portable or institutional |
Pros: don’t need to be repaid; may include living stipend or tuition waiver. Cons: limited availability; competitive; often more common for PhD than some master’s programs. |
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Work as a graduate assistant in return for stipend and often tuition remission |
Pros: reduces or eliminates tuition; helps cover living expenses; provides professional development. Cons: May require time/work commitments; not always available to all students. |
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Money awarded to cover tuition, books, housing, etc. May be merit- or need-based. |
Pros: Can help fund any schooling or living expenses; does not need to be repaid. Cons: May have strict limitations; not every scholarship is available to all students. |
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Employer Tuition Assistance |
Employer helps fund part or all of degree (tuition reimbursement, etc.) |
Pros: Employer shares cost; less debt. Cons: Not all employers offer; may have strings attached (work commitments, time in service). |
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Unsubsidized Loans or PLUS loans |
Pros: Generally have better terms than private loans. Cons: There are eligibility and borrowing limits; future terms may change. |
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Private Loans |
Loans from banks/credit-unions or private lenders — sometimes used when federal eligibility ends or for extra costs |
Pros: May help cover gaps. Cons: Usually require credit check or cosigner; higher interest rates; variable terms; repayment begins sooner; limited flexibility with repayment options. |
Tuition Reduction Programs
Find out how to see if you qualify for the Non-Resident Tuition Waiver.
See how the Professional Student Exchange Program makes healthcare education an affordable pathway.
Learn more about the Western Regional Graduate Program and see if you qualify!
Learn more about the National Science Foundation's EPSCoR Graduate Fellowship Program.