Financing Graduate School

• Always contact the schools’ financial aid offices directly for the most up-to-date information!
• This information is an introductory summary of basic information about financial assistance for graduate/professional study and it is not intended to provide comprehensive information
• Most people attending graduate or professional school qualify for and receive financial assistance

TYPES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 

HELPFUL HINTS AND TIPS...

-Reach out to individual programs you are applying to and find out about financial assistance they offer.

-Check if any groups/associations affiliated with populations you belong to provide any financial aid.

-Many financial aid applications are due before graduate and professional school general applications and they might require GRE scores or other test scores so it is better to take those earlier rather than later!

-Ask institutions about waiving application fees!

-Financial aid applications typically ask for parental income information but this will not limit the amount and type of financial aid you receive. This information is used to determine if you belong to a certain category or population that may have access to more financial assistance. 

-Don't rule out applying to private schools due to cost, many private schools have the ability to offer more financial assistance! Try to leave your options open if possible.  

-Fullbright Scolarships are offered for international graduate study through the Institute for International Education. For information about applications and deadlines visit https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

-Another potential source of financial assiatance for international graduate study is foreign governments. Some countries may have shortages of people in certain professions and in order to remedy this they may offer funding support for the education of quality graduate students! To learn more contact foreign embassies in the United States. 

Ask each institution to which you are applying about its own financial assistance options including institution-based grants. Check with all associations related to your chosen field of study to see if they offer assistance for graduate/professional study. Find out if your employer helps employees with graduate/professional study. Thoroughly research books, on-line listings offering diverse sources of funding. If you are a member of a specific population, check with that population’s groups/associations to see if any financial aid is offered. Also, research funding resources that list population-based, cultural sources. Examples of assistance include, but are not limited to: African American men studying law, re-entry single mothers studying art, or someone who graduated from a specific high school and is pursuing professional study in Public Health. These books are available in the Career Center Library.