Assistantships & Funding
The University awards a number of graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships to qualified students who are in good academic standing. Historically, assistantships are awarded annually for up to four years for students who come in with a master’s degree and five years for students who come in with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. The current stipend level is 14,000 (10 month contract) for students in their first year and 13,000 (9 month contract) for every year after that. A graduate assistant is contracted to render service to the University through teaching, research, and other duties for 20 hours per week. Possible assistantships within the Department of Psychology include: teaching and TA responsibilities (e.g., Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Psychology, Dynamics of Personality, Professional and Career Issues, Quantitative Methods), and advising (advising undergraduate psychology students in setting up their schedules, preparing for grad school, etc.). Sometimes the Department of Psychology may match you with an assistantship elsewhere on campus. Students with assistantships cannot work more than a total of 8 hours per week at any other outside job(s).
Other sources of financial assistance include loans and Work Study funding. Information about student loans can be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid. During Summer sessions, domestic students often can obtain funding through the University Work Study program. This funding typically supports research activities with faculty members and other assignments. The FAFSA must be filled out and submitted prior to applying for Work Study funds.