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Funding for grad school can be complicated due to the competitive nature of certain funding opportunities. It requires careful research and planning to effectively secure financial aid and minimize debt.Ìý

Steps to ensure you are on the right track:Ìý

  • Look at the average cost of tuition for universities before and after aid.Ìý
  • Look to see if the university has certain scholarships for grad students that you can apply to.Ìý
  • If you are unsure if the university will provide funding, contact the school’s financial aid office.
  • Look to see if the university you are applying to has a scholarship for GPA.
  • If you are looking out of state for grad school, consider the idea that the cost of tuition will be different between in-state and out-of-state.

How Does Funding For Grad Schoolwork?

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships: Merit based aid, are more based on specific factors such as field of study, location, ethnic heritage.

Grants: Are often considered need based or based on merit or field of study, they do not require repayment.

Fellowships

Merit based awards that often cover living expenses and tuition, sometimes in exchange for research or work.

Employer tuition assistance

This is a type of financial support that is provided by companies to help their employees pay for their education and training.

Here are several well-known companies known for their tuition assistance programs:

  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • AT&T
  • Chick-fil-a
  • Publix
  • Starbucks

Federal Work-study program

The FWS program Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need. (FASFA)

The program allows you to earn money to help pay education expenses, and encourages community service work and work related to your courses of study. Visit StudentAid.gov/work study for details (FASFA)

Private Student Loans

  • Can be used if the federal student loans are not sufficient to cover the full cost of your graduate program.
  • Loans are nonfederal, typically made by the lender such as a bank, state agency, school, or credit union.
  • Have potentially lower interest rates.

Graduate Assistantship Program

A Graduate assistantship program is a structured opportunity that allows graduate students to gain valuable experience and support with their studies by working part-time at a university.

Types of Graduate assistantship programs:

  • Teaching Assistantships (TAs)

    • Positions involve assisting faculty with teaching duties, such as grading papers, supervising labs, leading discussions, and even sometimes lecturing.

  • Research Assistantships (RAs)

    • Is a position that provides funding and support for graduate students to conduct research under the supervision of a faculty member or research scientist. (Yocket Study Abroad)

    • Assist faculty members with research projects, such as data collection, writing research paper, or analysis.

  • Administration

  • Stipends

    • Some Assistantship programs have stipends to help cover living expenses

When applying for grad school, research to see if the school you are applying to has an assistantship program that works for you.

Grad schools in Georgia that participate:

  • Georgia State University
  • University of Georgia
  • Georgia College & State University
  • Georgia Southern
  • University of West Georgia
  • Middle Georgia State University
  • Georgia Tech
  • Columbus State University

FASFA

Continues to determine eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants and loans

Federal Student Loans

  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans
  • Direct PLUS Loans
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