Grad Student Funding: University Of Washington Explained

does university of washington fund grad students

The University of Washington offers a range of funding opportunities for graduate students, including grants, scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. The university aims to promote participation in higher education by providing financial assistance to students from diverse economic backgrounds. Funding sources include federal, state, and institutional grants, as well as external fellowships and scholarships. The Graduate School and academic departments are the primary sources of funding for graduate students, offering competitive awards such as research and teaching assistantships with stipends and tuition waivers. Students are encouraged to explore both internal and external funding options and to start the funding search process early.

Characteristics Values
University Mission To provide educational access and opportunity for all students, regardless of their economic backgrounds
Funding Sources Fellowships, grants, scholarships, student loans, Federal/State Work Study program, internships, jobs
Grant Types Graduate Tuition Exemption, Graduate University Grant, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Grant Eligibility Based on financial need
Fellowship Stipend Research assistantships (RAs), teaching assistantships (TAs), and fellowships: $3,334 per month (2023-24)
Fellowship Eligibility Academic merit, course performance, progress toward the degree, performance of duties in any previous departmental position, faculty support and endorsement, prior types of funding
External Fellowships FLAS, Simpson Center, Foreign Language and Area Studies
Scholarship Examples Medical Professionals of Tomorrow Scholarship, National Health Service Corps Scholarship, UW Bothell Study Abroad Scholarship, Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants Scholarships
Other Funding Sources NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Luce Scholars Program, Fulbright US Student Program, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Bonderman Travel Fellowship, Peace Corps

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University of Washington's grant opportunities

The University of Washington offers a full range of grant opportunities for graduate students who qualify. Although grant assistance is not the primary source of funds available, it is important to complete the FAFSA application to determine eligibility. Grants are federal, state, and institutional funds awarded on the basis of need, which do not have to be repaid. Most grant programs are from limited annual allocations, and award priority is determined by financial need.

The Graduate School and the student's academic department are the primary sources for this type of funding. Graduate and Funding Information System (GFIS) is a joint project of the Graduate School and the UW Libraries to assist in the search for general research funding. Information is available on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library, near the reference desk, and online.

The University of Washington also encourages students to apply for outside funding, and a track record of applying for and/or securing external funding will strengthen a student's case for departmental awards. The university provides a list of funding opportunities on its website, including:

  • The Global Innovation Fund (GIF), which seeks to seed initiatives and programs that develop cross-college and cross-continent collaborations that enhance the University of Washington’s global reach.
  • The Royalty Research Fund, which supports UW faculty seeking to establish new research programs.
  • The Graduate Funding Information Service, which helps students identify and use different resources to locate funding.
  • The Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) Small Grants Program, which awards funds each October and March to UW researchers for pilot studies and developmental research on alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and other drugs.

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Fellowships, scholarships, and loans

The University of Washington offers a range of funding opportunities for graduate students in the form of fellowships, scholarships, and loans.

Fellowships

Fellowships are competitive awards that do not usually require the recipient to work in exchange for the funds. They are intended to fund academic study and research. The Graduate Studies Committee evaluates fellowship funding applications based on academic merit, course performance, progress toward the degree, performance of duties in any previous departmental position, faculty support, and endorsement.

The University of Washington offers several fellowship opportunities, including:

  • Research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships with stipends of $3,334 per month for the 2023-24 academic year.
  • The Luce Scholars Program, which provides fully-funded year-long placements in Asia, including stipends, language training, and tailored work assignments for young leaders who have had limited experience in Asia.
  • The Fulbright US Student Program, which offers post-graduate opportunities to spend a year abroad doing research, graduate studies, or teaching English in over 155 countries worldwide.
  • The Bonderman Travel Fellowship, which awards up to seven $20,000 fellowships annually to UW graduate students for extended solo international travel.

Scholarships

The University of Washington offers various scholarship opportunities for graduate students, including:

  • The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which provides three years of financial support over a five-year period, including a $30,000 annual stipend and a $12,000 annual cost-of-education allowance for graduate students in STEM fields and psychology and social sciences.
  • The Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants Scholarships, which awards twenty scholarships of $2,000 each annually to students planning to practice as CPAs in Washington State.
  • The Medical Professionals of Tomorrow Scholarship, which offers a $5,000 award to full-time students in a medical field who are legal residents of the United States.
  • The UW Bothell Study Abroad Scholarship, which provides funding of $500 to $2,000 for travel expenses required to participate in a study abroad program.

Loans

The University of Washington encourages students to explore federal and state loan options as part of their financial aid packages. Students can participate in the Federal/State Work-Study program, which provides part-time employment opportunities to help pay for their education while gaining experience. Additionally, the university's job and internship board, Handshake, features a constantly updated list of campus positions available to current UW students.

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Departmental funding

The University of Washington offers a range of funding opportunities for graduate students. The Graduate School and the student's academic department are the primary sources for funding.

Students can apply for departmental funding through their specific department, such as the History Department, which offers funding for graduate students through the Graduate School, GPSS, and other outside sources. The History Department also encourages students to utilize the Graduate Funding Information Services (GFIS) located in the Allen Library Consultation Studio.

The Graduate Studies Committee evaluates applications for fellowship funding based on academic merit, course performance, progress toward the degree, performance in any previous departmental positions, faculty support, and prior types of funding. New Ph.C.'s are given priority for departmental dissertation fellowships, and the committee aims to balance funding types across different appointments over a student's graduate career.

Students are encouraged to apply for external fellowships and outside funding, as this strengthens their case for departmental awards. Students may bank up to one year of guaranteed departmental funding for their sixth year if they secure outside funding.

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External funding

The University of Washington encourages students to apply for external funding. A track record of applying for and/or securing external funding will strengthen a student's case for departmental awards.

There are a variety of external funding opportunities for graduate students at the University of Washington. These include fellowships, scholarships, and grants from various organizations and institutions. Here are some examples of external funding sources:

  • National Science Foundation (NSF): The NSF offers the Graduate Research Fellowship Program, which provides three years of financial support over a five-year period, including a $30,000 annual stipend and a $12,000 annual cost-of-education allowance. This fellowship is available to graduate students in STEM fields, as well as psychology and the social sciences.
  • Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants Scholarships: The Washington CPA Foundation awards twenty scholarships of $2,000 each to students planning to practice as CPAs in Washington State.
  • Medical Professionals of Tomorrow Scholarship: A $5000 award sponsored by US Medical Supplies for full-time students in a medical field.
  • National Health Service Corps Scholarship: This scholarship is for students pursuing primary healthcare professions training, with a commitment to providing healthcare to communities in need upon graduation.
  • Fulbright US Student Program: Funded by the US Department of State, this program offers opportunities for post-graduates to spend a year abroad doing research, graduate studies, or teaching English in over 155 countries.
  • German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): DAAD offers scholarships and internships for Americans to study, conduct research, or work in Germany, including study abroad scholarships and research internships in science and engineering.
  • Bonderman Travel Fellowship: Up to seven $20,000 fellowships are awarded annually to UW graduate students for extended solo international travel.

In addition to these examples, students can explore other external funding opportunities such as state grants, the Federal/State Work Study program, and the University's job and internship board, Handshake. It is important for students to start their funding search early and to consider a variety of options to increase their chances of securing financial support for their graduate studies.

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Work-study programs

The University of Washington offers work-study programs to help students pay for their education while gaining invaluable work experience. The Federal and State Work-Study Programs allow students to work part-time while going to school. The salary costs are subsidised by the Work-Study Program, with departments only responsible for 40% of the student's wage. The remainder is covered by the University of Washington Work-Study funding.

The University of Washington Work Study Office is a division of the Office of Student Financial Aid. It helps students find part-time work to support their education and assists employers in the recruitment process. The Work-Study Program is aimed at supporting low-income students, and the On-Campus Employer Guide outlines the process for hiring eligible students.

Students can work on-campus or off-campus and gain transferable work skills. The University of Washington believes that students from all economic backgrounds should have the opportunity to attend, and the Work-Study Program is one of the ways to help bridge the gap between the cost of attending and a family's resources.

In addition to the Work-Study Program, the University of Washington offers other funding opportunities for graduate students. These include grants, scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. Students are encouraged to apply for external funding, and there are also departmental awards and funding available. The Graduate School and the student's academic department are the primary sources for funding information and assistance.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the University of Washington offers funding for graduate students. Funding is available through the Graduate School and academic departments, as well as external fellowships and scholarships.

Funding opportunities include research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships, grants, scholarships, and student loans.

To apply for funding, students should identify potential funding opportunities and review the requirements and deadlines. Students can search for funding opportunities within and outside the university.

The Department of History encourages students to apply for funding from the Graduate School, GPSS, and external sources. The department also provides information on funding through the Graduate Funding Information Services (GFIS) in the Allen Library Consultation Studio.

Yes, the University of Washington offers funding opportunities for international students, such as the Fulbright US Student Program and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships. International students in the Department of History may also receive support for international tuition from the department.

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