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Contact Information:

Mariah Green

Career Services Coordinator:

Mariah Green

Taylor Hall 302A

(970) 943-7122

mgreen@western.edu

 

Address:
Career Services Center
600 N. Adams St.
Gunnison, CO  81231

careerservices@western.edu

(970) 943-7056 

Fax: (970) 943-3409

 
 

Financial Aid for Graduate School

Each graduate school, graduate program, and/or type of assistantship may have different application deadlines. Many graduate schools use the Graduate and Professional School Financial Aid Service (GAPSFAS) as a means of selecting graduate students who need financial assistance. The GAPSFAS application is available at any graduate school financial aid department.

SOURCES OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Fellowship

  • A stipend. An outright grant of money for which you may not be required to perform work or services.
  • Awarded on the basis of academic potential, not financial need.
  • The amount of stipend varies from several hundred to several thousand dollars, some part of which may be taxed.
Sources:
  • Institutional: Awarded by universities directly to students.
  • Government: Sponsors a number of different types of fellowships. Apply through individual universities.
  • Private grants: Sponsored by private foundations, organization, businesses, and industries. Some are awarded in specific areas or to specific types of students. Contact organizations directly.

Assistantship

  • An assistantship provides financial assistance in return for service or work performed for the university.
  • The amount varies from a full or partial tuition waiver and/or a sum of money each month.
  • Some universities may require graduate assistants to take a reduced course load.
Types of assistantships:
  • Teaching Assistantships: You provide the university with a specified amount of undergraduate teaching while you attend school. Advanced students may teach a lab, dissertation section, or a basic course in their field. Less advanced students may grade papers, proctor exams, prepare bibliographies or assist in labs.
  • Research Assistantships: Similar to above except you do research under the supervision of graduate faculty.
  • Administrative Assistantship: You are assigned to work in an administrative office on campus.
  • Residence hall, student personnel, and counseling assistantships: Frequently given to students in fields such as psychology, student personnel, or social work.

Other Sources

  • Loans: applied through banks, government agencies, or in some cases, special loan funds at universities.
  • Military: Support for graduate or professional education in exchange for future military service.
  • Employment: It is difficult to manage full-time work and full-time graduate study. Students usually do one or the other part-time.