Utah's Grad Student Funding: A Comprehensive Overview

The University of Utah offers a range of funding opportunities for graduate students, including the Tuition Benefit Program (TBP), which provides tuition waivers and sponsored tuition for research-based master's and PhD degree-seeking students. The university also has an Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, which offers financial aid counselling and administrative support for students seeking academic funding. In addition, graduate students can apply for various scholarships, fellowships, and grants, such as the Graduate Research and Creative Opportunities Grant (GRCO). The university was named a Best Buy School in 2017, boasting the lowest tuition rates among its Pac12 and Big10 public peers.

Tuition Benefit Program

The Tuition Benefit Program (TBP) is a University of Utah tuition support program for graduate students. Participation is limited to graduate students who are serving the institution's research and education missions (research-based master's and PhD degree-seeking students).

TBP consists of waived tuition benefits, or WTB (the waiving of tuition charges), and sponsored tuition benefits, or STB (billing resident tuition costs to a specific funding source). For both WTB and STB, the difference between resident and non-resident tuition (the non-resident waiver) is waived and not charged to any college or department funding source.

Waived Tuition Benefits (WTB)

The reduction of resident tuition and mandatory fees – up to 12 graduate credits fall/spring, and up to 6 graduate credits in the summer; a maximum of 30 graduate credits per academic year – by the University, which represents reduced tuition revenue. Each participating college will be annually allocated a set number of tuition waivers, to be distributed among participating colleges at the discretion of the dean.

Sponsored Tuition Benefits (STB)

The reduction of resident tuition and mandatory fees – up to 12 graduate credits fall/spring, and up to 6 graduate credits in the summer – through the billing of resident tuition and mandatory fees to a sponsoring funding source. Funding sources are predominantly research grants, but may also include faculty start-up funds, donor funds, college returned F&A, and department discretionary funds. Tuition benefits should be charged to external funding sources, such as research grants, first before utilising WTB.

Graduate Subsidized Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP)

TBP-supported students working in assistantships (RA, TA) may be eligible for subsidized health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), with premiums subsidized 100% by the institution.

Academic Merit

Tuition Benefits are merit-based and require participating students to remain in academic good standing (students cannot be on academic probation) and to maintain or exceed a cumulative grade point average of 3.000, keeping in compliance with the Utah Board of Higher Education's definition of merit as "students who are performing above the average at the institution".

Non-resident Waiver

The difference between non-resident tuition and resident tuition is waived by the University for each TBP student participant, regardless of their tuition support being WTB or STB.

Required Student Support

Financial support provided by the academic program or faculty advisor/PI, which includes assistantships, traineeships, and fellowships. While support must meet a minimum threshold for each semester, colleges and departments are encouraged to provide student support at a competitive rate for their respective discipline.

Research Assistantship (RA, 9314)

TBP-supported student employment that is in service of the University's research mission; wages must meet the minimum student support for the semester(s) of TBP support.

Teaching Assistantship (TA, 9416)

TBP-supported student employment that is in service of the University's teaching mission; wages must meet the minimum student support for the semester(s) of TBP support.

Graduate Fellowship (GF)

TBP-supported students who are recipients of a prestigious campus fellowship or an approved nationally-competitive external fellowship; fellowship support must meet the minimum support for the semester(s) of TBP support.

Graduate Traineeship (TR)

TBP-supported students are engaged in a research training program where student support is non-payroll and paid in monthly stipend payments. Traineeship stipends must meet the minimum student support for the semester(s) of TBP support.

For graduate students working in assistantship roles but not supported by the TBP, they may be classified as Graduate Students-Non TBP (job code 1632). This code can be used regardless of the assistantship being research- or teaching-focused.

Student Expectations

The responsibilities of students participating in the TBP include being in academic good standing and maintaining a cumulative 3.000 GPA, as well as enrolling full-time, as defined by the Office of the Registrar. Tuition benefits will cover up to 30 graduate credits each academic year (a maximum of 12 credits in the fall, 12 in the spring, and 6 in the summer).

College Expectations

The responsibilities of colleges participating in the TBP include allocating the college's allotment of WTB waivers among participating graduate programs and tracking usage by academic programs. Colleges have the flexibility to determine student eligibility for tuition benefits and may establish tuition benefit caps for supported students if they choose.

The University of Utah also offers a range of other financial resources for graduate students, including the Western Regional Graduate Program, Graduate Fellowships, and the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid.

Fellowships, scholarships and awards

The University of Utah offers a range of fellowships, scholarships, and awards to support graduate students in their academic pursuits.

Fellowships:

The University of Utah provides various fellowship opportunities for graduate students, including:

• University Graduate Research Fellowship (UGRF): A one-year, non-renewable award of $28,500, plus tuition benefits and eligibility for subsidised health insurance. It is designed for full-time graduate students conducting research or creative projects and pursuing a terminal graduate degree.
• Graduate Fellowships through the Tuition Benefit Program (TBP): TBP offers waived tuition benefits (WTB) and sponsored tuition benefits (STB), covering resident tuition and mandatory fees for eligible graduate students.
• The Martha Bradley Evans Center for Teaching Excellence (MBECTE) Fellowship: A paid position for a graduate student, offering flexibility and the potential for renewal and summer work.
• Other Graduate Fellowships: The University of Utah also offers other graduate fellowships, such as the Graduate Traineeship (TR) and nationally competitive opportunities like the Graduate Research Fellowship.

Scholarships:

The University of Utah provides a range of scholarships for graduate students, administered by different colleges, departments, and offices. These include:

• The ISSS Scholarship: Available to international students.
• Steffensen Cannon Scholarship: Offered to graduate students in the College of Education and the College of Humanities.
• Alta Endowed Scholarship: Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students.
• Marriner S. Eccles Graduate Fellowship in Political Economy: Named after one of the most influential Utahns of the 20th century.
• And many more: The University of Utah lists numerous other scholarships on its website, such as the Boyer Housing Scholarship, the Don Hutchison Endowed Scholarship, and the Marie Cornwall Graduate Research Grant.

Awards:

The University of Utah recognises and rewards the achievements of graduate students through various awards, including:

• Thomas G. Stockham Medal for Conspicuously Effective Teaching: Awarded for effective teaching.
• Garr Cutler Energy Prize: An energy-focused prize.
• COH GRADUATE SCHOLAR-ACTIVISM & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD: Offered by the College of Humanities.

Travel and conference funding

The University of Utah offers several funding opportunities for graduate students, including travel and conference funding. The University's Office of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs provides a range of resources to support graduate students, including financial support for travel.

The University's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid offers financial aid counselling and administrative support for students seeking academic funding. They can provide guidance on various funding opportunities, such as scholarships, assistantships, grants, and loans.

Tuition Benefit Program (TBP)

The University of Utah has a Tuition Benefit Program (TBP) specifically designed to support graduate students with tuition and other related costs. The TBP offers waived tuition benefits (WTB) and sponsored tuition benefits (STB). The WTB involves the waiving of tuition charges, while the STB bills resident tuition costs to a specific funding source, such as research grants or faculty startup funds. Both options waive the difference between resident and non-resident tuition fees.

Graduate Funding Success Workshops

The University also offers Graduate Funding Success Workshops to help students navigate the financial aspects of their graduate studies. These workshops likely cover topics such as scholarship applications, funding opportunities, and budgeting.

Travel & Virtual Conference Assistance

The University of Utah recognises the importance of travel and conference participation in graduate education. They provide assistance for travel and virtual conference attendance through their Travel & Virtual Conference Assistance program. This program helps graduate students with the costs associated with travelling to conferences, workshops, or other academic events.

External Funding Opportunities

In addition to the funding provided by the University, graduate students can also explore external funding opportunities. This may include scholarships, grants, and assistantships offered by organisations or institutions outside of the University.

For example, the Graduate Research and Creative Opportunities (GRCO) Grant offered by Utah State University provides $1,000 to support original research, scholarship, or creative work by graduate students under the guidance of a faculty member. Proposals can include requests for funds to cover project-related travel expenses.

Furthermore, graduate students can also explore loan options, such as Federal and Private loans, to finance their graduate studies, including travel and conference participation. It is important for students to carefully consider their financial options and seek guidance from the University's financial aid office to make informed decisions.

Work-study jobs

The University of Utah offers a variety of jobs that allow students to utilise their talents, acquire skills, improve their future, and enhance their effectiveness as team players. On-campus jobs offer flexibility and helpful resources to accommodate student needs. The University of Utah also provides students with a school-friendly work-life balance, access to a variety of cultural events, and helps lower student loan costs.

To apply for a work-study job at the University of Utah, students must have a current work-study award through the Financial Aid Office. Students can search and apply for posted work-study positions by visiting the University of Utah Human Resources website or the U of U Employment website and searching for "work-study" in the keywords.

Work-study awards can also be used for various programs, such as the Elementary School Reading/Math Tutor Program, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, and the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR). Additionally, the Natural History Museum of Utah is another potential employer that may be hiring work-study students.

The University of Utah offers many employment opportunities outside of the regular 8 to 5, Monday through Friday work week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. The University aims to provide opportunities that fit students' schedules, enabling them to have a rewarding work experience while pursuing their academic goals.

Student loans

The University of Utah offers a Tuition Benefit Program (TBP) to support graduate students serving the institution's research and education missions. The TBP provides tuition waivers and sponsored tuition benefits, subsidised health insurance, and assistantships, traineeships, or fellowships.

In addition, the University of Utah provides access to various student loans, including federal and private options. Here is an overview:

Federal Student Loans:

• Federal Perkins Loan: Need-based loan for undergraduate students attending school half-time or more.
• Federal Nursing Loan: Need-based loan for undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
• Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan: Need-based loan for undergraduate students with no interest charged while enrolled half-time or more.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan: Available to undergraduate and graduate students regardless of financial need. Interest is charged from disbursement to repayment.
• Federal Parent PLUS Loan: For parents of dependent undergraduate students with good credit histories.
• Federal Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan: For graduate students with good credit histories.

Private/Alternative Student Loans:

Private loans offered by banks, credit unions, and lending institutions. The University of Utah does not endorse specific lenders, and students are advised to research rates and eligibility. These loans have variable interest rates, fees, and criteria, and often require a co-signer and credit check.

Frequently asked questions