Funding Options For Master's Students At The University Of Kentucky

does university of kentucky fund master

The University of Kentucky offers funding to master's students through assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships. Over 1,500 teaching or research assistantships are available to graduate students, which include a stipend and may cover tuition costs. Fellowships are non-service awards given to academically superior graduate students, and scholarships are distributed by the Graduate School Funding Office. The university also offers external funding opportunities for graduate students, such as the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science GEM Fellowships, which provide support for master's study in engineering for American Indians, African Americans, and Mexican Americans.

Characteristics Values
Number of funded graduate students 2000
Types of funding Assistantships, fellowships, tuition scholarships, grants, external funding
Assistantships Teaching, research, or administrative duties with a bi-weekly stipend and may cover tuition costs
Fellowships Non-service award for academically superior graduate students
Tuition Scholarships Standard graduate tuition, Johnson Center fees, and health fees
Tuition Scholarship Exclusions Student-specific fees, lab fees, course fees, program fees, music fees, distance learning course fees, tuition above the standard graduate rate
External Funding Sources Rotary World Peace Fellows, National Science Foundation, Fund for Theological Education, Gates Millennium Scholarships, Geological Society of America, Michigan Society of Fellows, Miller Center Fellowship, National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Council on Library and Information Resources Mellon Fellowships, Council on Social Work Education, DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), and more

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Fellowships and scholarships

The University of Kentucky offers a range of fellowships and scholarships to support graduate students in their academic pursuits. These awards are designed to recognise academic excellence, promote diversity, and assist students in their financial needs. Here is some information about the fellowships and scholarships available for master's students:

Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship

The Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship is named after the first Black student to enrol as a graduate student at the University of Kentucky in 1949. The fellowship is open to students entering any graduate program at the university. Applicants are required to submit an essay describing how their pursuit of graduate education reflects the values embodied by Lyman T. Johnson, particularly his courage in pursuing scholarship and development. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of $10,000 for the academic year, plus a standard graduate tuition scholarship and student health plan enrollment.

James Still Fellowship

The James Still Fellowship is offered to graduate students pursuing studies in the humanities and social sciences. This fellowship is specifically for students who graduated from a private college in Central Appalachia. It encourages non-traditional students and those with financial needs to apply. The fellowship provides a stipend of $20,000, plus a tuition scholarship and student health plan enrollment.

Wethington, Matthews, and Singletary Fellowships

These three fellowships are awarded to graduating UK seniors who demonstrate high academic achievement and participation in leadership roles during their undergraduate studies. The Wethington Fellowship offers $20,000, the Matthews Fellowship offers $12,000, and the Singletary Fellowship offers $20,000. All three fellowships include a tuition scholarship and student health plan enrollment.

University of Kentucky Association of Emeriti Faculty Fellowships

These fellowships are offered in conjunction with the Graduate School and are made possible by donations from UK emeriti faculty members and the Research Challenge Trust Fund. They are open to full-time PhD, Ed.D., or D.M.A. students who are preparing for a career in college or university teaching. The fellowship provides a stipend of $7,500, plus a spring tuition scholarship and student health plan enrollment.

External Fellowships and Scholarships

In addition to the university-based scholarships, there are external organisations that offer scholarships to University of Kentucky students. These include the John Monash Scholarships for Australian nationals studying in any field, and the Higher Education Scholarship Test (HEST) for Indian nationals pursuing studies outside of the field of medicine.

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Assistantships

The University of Kentucky offers assistantships to graduate students pursuing advanced degrees. These assistantships provide students with the opportunity to engage in specified teaching, research, or administrative duties while also making progress toward their degrees. Over 1,800 teaching, research, or graduate assistantships are available across various departments and units within the university.

Graduate assistants (teaching assistants and research assistants) at the University of Kentucky are employed by educational, research, and administrative units. Direct administrative oversight is provided by their immediate employer, such as the Director of Graduate Studies, Department Chair, or Center/Institute Director. College Deans, Vice Provosts, and Vice Presidents are responsible for monitoring the role, responsibilities, evaluation, and employee status of graduate assistants.

Master's degree students can serve up to three years as teaching or research assistants, while doctoral students can serve up to five years in these positions. To maintain their assistantships, students must achieve satisfactory academic progress, including maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. Assistantships come with a bi-weekly stipend and may also cover tuition costs, providing valuable financial support to graduate students.

Students interested in assistantship positions should inform the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of their program of interest. Most departments make appointment decisions for the next academic year between February and April, so students are encouraged to contact the DGS no later than January 15. Assistantships provide graduate students with valuable experience, stipends, and the opportunity to contribute to their field of study while completing their degree.

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Funding for underrepresented students

The University of Kentucky offers various funding opportunities for graduate students. While some funding opportunities are open to all students, others are specifically aimed at supporting underrepresented students.

Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship

The Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship is offered to first-year students, with applications opening in January 2025. Students in underrepresented areas applying for tuition scholarships are considered for this fellowship, which includes the standard graduate tuition, Johnson Centre fees, and health fees.

James Still Fellowship

The James Still Fellowship is available for graduate study in the humanities and social sciences. Non-traditional students and those with financial needs are encouraged to apply. The fellowship is worth $20,000, plus a tuition scholarship and student health plan enrollment.

Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship

The Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship provides funding for participants as they prepare to enter the US Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial needs are encouraged to apply.

External Funding Sources

The University of Kentucky also provides information on external funding sources for graduate students, including:

  • American Egg Board Egg Nutrition Center Dissertation Fellowship
  • American Fellowships
  • American Marketing Association Scholarship
  • American Political Science Association Minority Fellowships
  • Arnold L. Mitchem Dissertation Fellowship Program
  • Association for Women in Science (AWIS) Educational Awards
  • Baird Society Resident Scholar Program
  • Council on Library and Information Resources Mellon Fellowships for Dissertation Research
  • Council on Social Work Education: Minority Fellowship Program

Assistantships and Fellowships

The University of Kentucky also offers assistantships and fellowships to graduate students. Assistantships involve graduate students engaging in teaching or research duties and come with a bi-weekly stipend that may cover tuition costs. Fellowships are non-service awards made to academically superior graduate students to assist them in pursuing an advanced degree. Students interested in assistantships or fellowships should contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of their program.

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Funding for international students

The University of Kentucky offers a range of funding opportunities for graduate students, including fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships. However, international students at the university are generally expected to take full responsibility for financing their education and living expenses.

Assistantships and Fellowships

International students at the University of Kentucky can apply for assistantships and fellowships, which can provide financial support for their graduate studies. Assistantships are appointments where graduate students undertake teaching or research duties and receive a bi-weekly stipend that may cover tuition costs. Fellowships, on the other hand, are non-service awards given to academically superior graduate students to support their pursuit of an advanced degree.

Scholarships

The university offers various scholarships for international students, although the availability and eligibility criteria may vary depending on the student's region of residence. The University of Kentucky International Center provides information on several scholarship opportunities, including:

  • The TODOS (The Outcomes-Based Diversity Outreach Strategy) Scholarships: These scholarships aim to remove barriers for underrepresented groups with high financial needs, including those with diverse race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, or veteran status.
  • DIS scholarships: DIS offers need-based scholarships, such as the Mary Dau Foundation scholarship, for students studying abroad.
  • KIIS scholarships: KIIS provides two $750 scholarships for students participating in KIIS Winter programs, selected by UK Education Abroad.
  • SAS scholarships: Semester at Sea awards $4 million in financial aid annually, and UK students enrolling in fall or spring semester programs receive a $400 grant.
  • API scholarships: Students enrolled in an API program can apply for scholarship funding from AIFS/GE, with grants of $500 available for Pell Grant-eligible students or recipients of specific awards.
  • Global Semesters scholarships: Scholarships are available for students participating in a Global Semesters program.

Additionally, international students can explore funding opportunities through external organizations, such as the World Bank Scholarship Program, American Association of Women (AAUW) International Fellowships, and the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship Fund. The University of Kentucky recommends contacting the nearest Overseas Education Advising Center or the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in the student's home country for up-to-date information on financial assistance and application processes.

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External funding

The University of Kentucky offers external funding to its graduate students in the form of fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships. The Graduate School's Business Office promotes student success by providing budgetary accounting, distribution, and projection functions for the Patterson and Martin Schools, as well as all units of the Graduate School.

Fellowships

The University of Kentucky offers several fellowships to its graduate students. These include the James Still Fellowship, which is endowed by a gift from the Bingham Fund and named after author James Still. This fellowship is available for graduate study in the humanities and social sciences for students who graduated from a private college in Central Appalachia. The University also offers the Wethington, Matthews, and Singletary fellowships, each with a value of $20,000, $12,000, and $20,000, respectively. Additionally, the University provides the Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship for first-year students, with applications opening on January 6, 2025, and rolling reviews beginning February 15.

Assistantships

Assistantships are appointments where graduate students engage in teaching or research duties. These positions carry a bi-weekly stipend and may cover tuition costs. Students interested in assistantships should inform the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of their program by January 15 for the following academic year.

Scholarships

The University of Kentucky provides tuition scholarships for graduate students, originating from various sources such as endowments, university scholarship accounts, and Research Challenge Trust Funds. The Graduate School also offers a list of scholarship opportunities and application information on its website. Additionally, external scholarships are available, such as the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Graduate Study Scholarships, which are offered to highly qualified students wishing to complete a Master's degree at universities in Germany.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Kentucky provides funding for master's students through assistantships and fellowships. Over 1,500 teaching or research assistantships are available, which include a stipend and may cover tuition costs. Fellowships are non-service awards made to academically superior graduate students to assist them in pursuing an advanced degree.

There are various fellowships available for master's students at the University of Kentucky, including the James Still Fellowship, the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science GEM Fellowships, the Mental Health/Substance Abuse Fellowship, and the Geological Society of America Graduate Student Research Grant.

To be considered for assistantships and fellowships, students should inform the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) of the program they are applying to. Students may send letters to the DGS or contact the appropriate DGS no later than January 15 for the next academic year.

Yes, there are external funding opportunities available for master's students at the University of Kentucky, including the Rotary World Peace Fellows, the National Science Foundation's SBE Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants, and the Gates Millennium Scholarships.

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