Financial Support
During their first year, all incoming, full-time, degree-seeking graduate students receive full financial support from the Department, comprised of a combination of a tuition scholarship and a competitive stipend. Students will be informed of the financial support provided by the Department by a letter. This award is a Graduate Assistantship and requires the student to successfully perform in his/her coursework and to participate in teaching and research. Continuation of funding with a similar level of stipend and full tuition scholarship is contingent upon good academic standing and satisfactory progress towards the degree.

Students are usually supported on money obtained from research grants as well as supplemental money from the Graduate School. Any student enrolled in the Department has a responsibility to contribute to the research program of his/her advisor and to the teaching activities of the Department as teaching assistants. This responsibility exists regardless of the source of a student's funding of his/her graduate studies. A student should view any support as an assistance in pursuing an advanced degree.

Assistants and fellows who receive a full stipend should not be employed elsewhere on or off campus. A graduate student cannot receive more than eight years of financial support from the Graduate School or from funds allotted by the Graduate School to the Department.