Graduate Funding
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Funding Opportunities
Assistantships
We offer Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) to eligible students. Appointments to these assistantships varies by department, as do the funding level.
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships: Teaching Assistantships may be available to students through individual departments, either in engineering or outside of engineering. Appointments and stipends vary among academic departments, and application for appointment as a teaching assistant should be made directly to the department concerned. Depending on the level of appointment, the University pays all or some of a GTA's tuition, including any differential tuition assessed.
- Graduate Research Assistantships: Research Assistantships are available to graduate students through grants from state-appropriated research funds and from federal and private agencies. Stipends vary among academic departments. Those granted research assistantships are eligible to pay tuition at the in-state rate. You do not need to have a faculty advisor pledge to provide you a GRA before you submit your application.
School of Engineering Scholarships and Fellowships for First Year Graduate Students
Scholarships and fellowships are awards based either on academic merit alone, or on academic merit and financial need. Awards are applied directly to a student's tuition and fees. Typically, funds left over after disbursements are made are returned to the student in the form of a check (or direct deposit into a bank account).
School of Engineering scholarships and fellowships for incoming graduate students are awarded on a competitive basis. Award considerations include the applicant's academic performance (GPA), personal statement, scores on achievement tests, letters of recommendation, evidence of involvement in and commitment to the engineering profession, and an individual's record of scholarly activities. There is no separate application process for these awards. Students are automatically considered when a complete application is submitted by the priority deadline. Each department nominates qualified graduate students. Awards are generally allocated in March.
Incoming and current students may also qualify for the following KU scholarships and fellowships.
- Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship, deadline: students are nominated for this fellowship, departmental deadline is normally late January or early February
- Graduate Studies Fellowships and Scholarships, deadline: varies
- University Graduate Fellowship- requires departmental nomination
- Chancellor's Fellowship- requires departmental nomination
- Bernadette Gray-Little Fellowship- requires departmental nomination
- Self Memorial Scholarship: deadline: in early March, varies year by year. For KU undergraduate students entering graduate school immediately following graduation.
- School of Engineering First Year Dean's Fellowship- requires departmental nomination
Funding from Engineering Departments
Individual programs or departments offer funding opportunities for graduate students through Graduate Research Assistantships and Graduate Teaching Assistantships. All students are considered for funding with their application, but funding is not awarded to all who are admitted.
External Funding
Students may seek private or outside funding. We encourage students to use the Pivot database, as well as speak to their advisors, departmental contacts, or graduate mentors for guidance in finding funding specific to their field or discipline.
The Office of Graduate Studies offers comprehensive information and guidance on graduate funding, including KU sources, external sources, and search databases. Visit their website for detailed information.
The Office of Graduate Admissions offers information on graduate funding and aid. Visit their website for detailed information.
Funding from KU Offices
Many departments and offices across the university offer scholarships to students. This is not a comprehensive list. Links to information about these scholarships are below.
- Financial Aid
- Student Loans
- Grants
- Student Involvement & Leadership Center Scholarships
- Graduate Studies Funding Resources
- Doctoral Student Research Fund
- Graduate Direct Exchange in German
Travel Funding
The Graduate Engineering Association Travel Grant