Financial Assistance

All applicants are automatically considered for fellowships as well as assistantships. The Department offers financial assistance in the form of graduate assistantships and fellowships. To apply, use the form for requesting financial assistance included in the Graduate School application.

Graduate Assistantships

Many of our students are supported by graduate assistantships with responsibilities for either research or teaching. Graduate assistants are expected to work an average of 20 hours a week on their research or teaching duties. They must maintain at least a “B” average. They are considered employees of the University and are thus covered by health insurance. In addition to a competitive salary, graduate assistants receive tuition remission for up to 10 credits in each the fall and spring semesters and up to 4 credits each summer semester.

Fellowships

The Department awards a number of fellowships each year to highly qualified applicants.  Annual fellowship stipends are highly competitive and depend on available funding.

The Graduate School's Dean's Fellowships are offered by graduate programs in order to create greater flexibility in creating overall support packages for students.

The Graduate School provides tuition remission to graduate fellowship recipients who are paid from Dean’s Fellowship funds, or from external fellowship funds meeting the criteria specified below. Tuition remission and health insurance subsidies are subject to continued availability of resources. Tuition remission will be provided only for credits that are degree applicable.

A Dean’s Fellow may be eligible for up to 10 credits of fellowship tuition remission per semester (Spring and Fall only). A Dean’s Fellowship may be combined with additional Dean’s Fellowships, and/or other funding (assistantship, external fellowship, and/or other internal fellowship) to create the support package. Tuition remission credits deriving from other funding will be applied first. Tuition remission credits for Dean’s Fellowships will be provided up to the maximum remission indicated below:
 

Type

Funding Per Year

Total Annual Credits

Fall

Spring

Dean's Fellowships

≥$17,500

20

10

10

Dean’s Fellowships

≥$10,000

10

5

5

Dean’s Fellowships

$7,500

0

0

0

Fellowship Tuition Remission

Source: https://academiccatalog.umd.edu/graduate/policies/student-fellowships/#text

Financial assistance in the form of loans and work study may also be available. Interested students should contact the University’s Office of Student Financial Aid.