Assistantships Awarded by the University.
The beginning salary for teaching and graduate assistantships is $18,000 (2007-2008) for an academic year. Special graduate school fellowships, available only in certain programs, provide $12,000 per year plus tuition for up to four years.
Applications for assistantships are due on or before March 1, although awards are occasionally available at later dates. Prospective graduate students may apply for assistantships when they are sent an application form for admission. Applicants who complete the appropriate section of the form when they apply for admission are considered for those financial awards granted by the university for which they may be eligible. The letters of recommendation required for admission usually serve also as letters of recommendation for assistantships. If a separate application is required for a newly established program, such notice will be included with the admissions packet. A graduate student already enrolled at the university who wishes to apply for an assistantship may inquire at the office of the director of the graduate program in which the student is enrolled.
Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP).
Federal work-study employment may be offered as a self-help portion of the financial aid award. Application for this program is made by filing the FAFSA. On-campus jobs are available in many areas. Selection for a particular job is based on skills, job availability, university needs, and student preference. The assigned employment opportunity is based on an expectation that the student will work between 6 and 20 hours weekly throughout the fall and spring academic terms; in the case of summer assignments, the expectation is that the student will work between 15 and 35 hours per week. Once a job is assigned, it is anticipated that the student will continue in that position throughout the entire academic year. Off-campus employment usually is limited to returning students. No assurance can be given regarding the duration or quality of off-campus employment since it is beyond control of the university. No job assignments are made until all paperwork required to accept the aid is completed.
