Graduate Aid
General Graduate Aid by Category
We have taken care to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of information in this handbook. Contents are subject to change without notice, however, because of changing federal and state legislation and donor requests, as well as unintended error. All financial aid awards are contingent upon availability of funds and subject to revision.
Alumni Graduate Fellowships
Alumni Graduate Fellows represent the highest graduate student award available at UF. Funded at nationally competitive levels, these highly prestigious awards support students in all programs and departments of the University awarding a Ph.D. or MFA. The Fellowships focus on identifying and supporting students who seek the Ph.D. degree or selected terminal master's degrees (the MFA for example). To ensure that Alumni Fellows receive every opportunity to succeed, the Alumni Graduate Fellowships provide a full four years of support through a nationally competitive stipend and full tuition waiver for qualifying students. Most Fellows will receive a minimum of two years of fully-funded fellowship, and they will receive another two years of research or teaching assistantship. UF expects Alumni Fellows to demonstrate high standards of academic achievement and participation in university life.
Applicants for Alumni Fellowships apply through the departments or programs of their major field of study. Successful applicants will have outstanding undergraduate preparation, a strong commitment to their field of study, and demonstrated potential in research and creative activities. For more information go to:
www.aa.ufl.edu/fellows/alumni.html. For more information on the fellowships available, please contact the program coordinator for the degree in which you are interested.
Graduate Assistantships
For fellowship or assistantship information and application deadlines, contact the chairperson of your department. Information and applications are also available on the Web on the UF Graduate School admissions Web page at gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu and on UF's Graduate Fellowship Initiative page at www.aa.ufl.edu/fellows. Also read the Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships section of the Graduate Catalog: gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu/students/catalog.html .
The Graduate School Fellowships
Graduate School fellowships are named in honor of Dr. Linton E. Grinter, who was Dean of the Graduate School, 1952-1969. The intent of the Grinter Fellowship is to facilitate the recruitment of truly exceptional graduate students to the University of Florida. Ordinarily, the Grinter is limited to PhD students. Exceptions are made for those areas in the University that have a terminal degree different from the PhD (e.g. Master of Fine Arts, Architecture, Building Construction, and Landscape Architecture). Grinter Fellowships are not assistantships. No duties may be required of the student (except those associated with an assistantship held concurrently). Grinter Fellowship stipends are normally in the $2,000–$4,000 range. Continuation of the Grinter beyond the first year (up to a total of three years) is contingent upon satisfactory student progress. For more information, go to: www.aa.ufl.edu/fellows/grinter.html.
Office of Research and Graduate Programs Division of Sponsored Research Web site www.rgp.ufl.edu/research/funding.html.
Provides information on funding opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral students. This Web site features information about grant funding, searchable databases, links to funding agencies and other valuable online sources.
Graduate School Financial Aid Bulletin Board and Financial Aid Page
To help you fund your graduate education at UF, the Graduate School Financial Aid Bulletin Board (gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu/students/financial-aid-bulletin-board.html) alerts you to fellowships, grants and scholarships offered by organizations outside the university, as the UF Graduate School learns of such financial aid opportunities. Or, for more resources go to the Graduate School Financial Aid page: gradschool.rgp.ufl.edu/students/financial-aid.html.
Financial Aid Loans and Part-Time Employment
Graduate students may apply for loan programs (Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans) and for part-time employment through Student Financial Affairs (SFA) in S-107 Criser Hall. Students who accept assistantships, fellowships, or traineeships must receive approval from the Graduate School before accepting other employment. Students applying for loans and work through SFA should understand that fellowships and fee waivers are included in aid packages. Receiving fellowships or fee waivers affects eligibility for SFA-awarded aid. Students applying for aid through SFA must notify SFA of all assistance they receive from such sources. See Chapter 1 for instructions on how to apply.