Financing Grad School

What types of financial assistance are available?

Fellowships—

• Students may receive fellowships from the UCF College of Graduate Studies, from their college or department, or from agencies or organizations outside UCF.
• UCF offers fellowships for doctoral students, international and domestic students, minority students, and newly admitted students.
• The purpose for UCF fellowships is to assist programs in their efforts to attract outstanding students, meet the financial needs of growing enrollment, and increase diversity among students.
• UCF fellowships are awarded on the basis of academic merit.
• UCF fellowships provide payments to students, defer tuition and fees up to the amount of the fellowship, and do not require the student to work.
• See Financial Information in the Graduate Catalog for more information about fellowship requirements and disbursement.
For information on the Graduate Travel Award, visit Graduate Travel Awards.

Assistantships—

• These awards are assignments, usually 10 or 20 hours per week, in the student’s department or elsewhere on campus as a graduate assistant, graduate teaching assistant, or graduate research assistant.
• Students receive a biweekly paycheck from UCF Human Resources during the period of assignment. Graduate assistantships include tuition remission, which pays a portion of the student's term bill. Assistantships totaling 20 hours per week also provide health insurance paid by the College of Graduate Studies (see Health Insurance for more information).
• Full-time degree-seeking students may not have graduate assistantships of more than 20 hours per week. International students have further restrictions on their employment.
• The Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) is a federally funded financial aid program, administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance, that enables students to earn a portion of their financial aid award. This program offers a positive alternative to loan indebtedness through meaningful part-time employment. Weekly work schedules are mutually determined by the student and the employing department to suit the student’s class/ exam schedule, and the employer’s needs. By federal regulation the schedule cannot interfere with a student’s class schedule. Federal Work Study is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. To determine eligibility for the Federal Work Study Program students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit all other required documentation. If you’re interested in Federal Work Study, see the Student Financial Assistance website or contact the office for details.
• See Financial Information in the Graduate Catalog for more information about assistantship requirements.

Tuition Remission—

• Students who receive university tuition remission must be either employed on a graduate assistantship or recipients of a fellowship that includes tuition assistance as part of the award.
• See Financial Information in the Graduate Catalog and Tuition Remission for more information.

Loans—

• These awards require students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a loan application, as well as any other required documentation.
• Students receive funding based on their eligibility, student budget, and financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
• See Financial Information in the Graduate Catalog for more information about loans and UCF Student Financial Assistance.

How do I get financial assistance?

• Apply for admission early. The FALL PRIORITY date is the application deadline for applicants who wish to be considered for university fellowships and assistantships for the next academic year (Fall/Spring).
  

  NOTE: If you’re a senior, you can apply for graduate admission before you complete your bachelor’s degree.

• Take the GRE or GMAT early. Students are generally required to report their official test scores before they are considered for a fellowship.
• Talk to your graduate program director as soon as you are sure about which program you’re applying for. Let the coordinator know that you plan to attend full time as a degree-seeking graduate student and that you’re interested in fellowships, assistantships, and tuition assistance. Also, ask if your college or department offers fellowships for graduate students, or visit their websites for this information.
• Review the requirements to receive graduate fellowships, assistantships, and tuition support in the Graduate Catalog. Ask your graduate department about anything you don’t understand.
• Review the requirements and award details for graduate fellowship programs. Most university fellowships do not require students to complete a separate fellowship application. The university and graduate programs award fellowships based on your admission application and accompanying documents. Some fellowships, however, do require a fellowship-specific application.
• File the FAFSA early if you’re interested in loans. Go to the Student Financial Assistance website (http://finaid.ucf.edu) for details of loan eligibility and application, student budget, program eligibility, enrollment requirements for loans, explanation of how loans may be affected by fellowships and tuition assistance.
• Search for funding outside of UCF. Use the free search services available through the Internet (see Useful Links).