Financial Support & Fellowship Information
Attending graduate school is an important decision. Now that you have made that decision, we would like to help you in your quest for information concerning funding sources available for graduate students at the University of Tennessee (UT). Your success in this quest may, in most cases, depend upon you and how proactive you choose to be. We suggest that you begin the process by determining what costs are involved and assessing the sources that are available to you.
The University of Tennessee currently provides around 1900 full- and part-time assistantships for its graduate students. All assistantships provide a waiver of most fees and a stipend that is competitive with those offered at other major public research institutions. Assistantships also carry with them the benefit of health insurance entirely paid for by the University. Through assistantships, graduate students acquire valuable teacher training, have the opportunity to work closely with faculty on major research projects, or gain experience in administration. All types of assistantships help fulfill the student's goal of attaining the advanced degree he or she desires. So, too, do the many departmental and university-wide fellowships for which prospective graduate students can apply or for which they may be nominated by their department or unit.
Most funding sources available from UT are administered through academic departments, not just through the Financial Aid Office or The Graduate School. The kind and amount of funding sources vary widely from department to department. We aren’t trying to provide an exhaustive list by department, but rather a general guide to the structure on our campus.
We urge you to evaluate the types of funding available to fit your needs and goals. Ask yourself if a particular funding source contributes to your overall educational goals as well as to your pocketbook. Some sources, such as internships and teaching/research assistantships, are more valuable for their training and experience than for their monetary return.
As you search for funding sources, take a close look at the professional organizations within your field. Often those organizations have information and resources designed to assist the development of professionals in your area of study. Also, become acquainted with on-line sources for information. One source available to you is the Office of Graduate Student Services' Graduate Fellowships and Other Funding Sources.
Please remember that once you have acquired information about these sources of funding, it is important to act quickly. Be prepared to commit the necessary time to applying for that funding.
