First, I am very limited in my knowledge of each of these things

OK, i know there are

assistantships
fellowships and
scholarships

for grad school financial aid

can someone sort of describe what each are, and kinda give a situation where one would choose one over the other?

10/27/2006 8:19:48 PM

i could be wrong, but it's all funding. It just depends on where you're getting the funding from? Scholarships are usually from private foundations etc, assistantships are funded by the department in exchange for research, and fellowships are funded by private organizations in exchange for research.


I could totally be wrong about that, but i've gotten this far (not very) with that limited knowledge.

10/27/2006 9:44:28 PM

i'd like to do the research for funding through university then (assistanship sounds about right)

10/27/2006 9:50:15 PM

I feel like I've been in grad school forever because I CAN answer this, in more detail than you'd probably like.

Assistantships: you work for the department, teaching courses (Teaching assistant) or working with a professor on his research (Research assistantship). For this, you get tuition paid, health insurance included, and a small stipend each month (depending on your level - when I was working on my MA it was 950, now that I'm working on a Ph.D. it's a few hundred more - presumably it's because I'm more qualified & can do more for the dept.)

Fellowships: these are VERY rare. Most fellowships are yearly, pay more than assistantships, and won't even consider you until you already have a Master's Degree. Postdocs usually have fellowships. Most fellowships require a good deal more labor than assistantships, and last for 1-2 years.

Scholarships: these work like your typical undergraduate scholarship, but they're limited to one or two per dept. and aren't worth much (they might cover your books or fees).

When you apply to most schools, you just check the box that states you want to be considered for financial support. This covers assistantships & fellowships. Scholarships are usually awarded after you're already in a program and have distinguished yourself in some way. After you check the financial support box, they'll give you instructions concerning what documents (resume, recommendations beyond your admission letters, etc.) to send and to whom you send them. Oh - you will always have to submit a FAFSA, but that's easier all the time.

Good luck with your apps!

10/27/2006 10:01:44 PM

i was filling out the application for UF, and it had the 3 i listed as checkboxes

i assume it wasn't a 'check all that apply' thing, but itd be nice to apply for both assistantship and scholarship


for assistantships, do i contact the department before I apply?

10/27/2006 10:08:08 PM

get a job

10/27/2006 10:59:54 PM

i have an offer, but i dunno if i want that job

10/27/2006 11:12:09 PM

I agree with most of what redburn said. I would add three things: First, a fellowship--if one can get it--is always the best choice of the three because there is no work requirement. For a grad student, no additional work on top of already heavy coursework can be a significant blessing.

Second, not all TAs receive paid tuition and health insurance. I have been a CHASS TA for a few semesters and I receive neither of the previously mentioned benefits.

Third, I don't know if you thought about a work-study position, but don't. As a grad student, if I'm not mistaken, you are ineligible for work-study.

I wish you good luck.

10/28/2006 12:24:59 AM