Financial Support

Graduate students ordinarily receive full twelve-month fellowships (full tuition and an ample stipend) that are renewed to cover the first five years of enrollment (contingent upon satisfactory progress through the program). Unlike most graduate programs, these fellowships do not require students to work as research assistants. Students do participate as teaching assistants in several courses, usually during their second or third year. Applicants for admission should also explore the fellowships awarded to individuals on a national competitive basis. Grants administered by the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, the Social Science Research Council of Canada, the Population Council, and other such agencies may provide support. 

Options for sixth-year funding include the Dean’s Completion Fellowship, honorific fellowships, and several specialized fellowships as well as external grants.

The Graduate School has a limited fund to which students may apply for support to present papers at professional meetings. The department chair also has some discretionary funds available for this purpose. In addition, the University’s various interdisciplinary centers and programs offer support for travel and research. Students interested in applying for these various funds should begin well in advance (usually in the fall) by contacting their faculty advisor, the graduate program administrator, the Director of Graduate Studies, or the Graduate School.