Financial Support

During the 2008-2009 academic year, the teaching and research assistantships pay about $16,616 to $18,344 for 16-20 hours of work per week. Graduate students with assistantships pay resident-rate tuition. Teaching assistants automatically receive partial tuition scholarships. Fellowships for minority students also are available through the Opportunity at Iowa, GAANN, and Sloan programs, which are committed to increasing the diversity of the students at Iowa. Outstanding applicants are nominated to the Graduate College for Iowa Presidential Fellowships, which provide full tuition for four years plus a stipend of about $23,500 per year. Support for students on merit fellowships is available during the summer; currently, summer merit fellowships pay $2,600 for two summer months. Summer research assistantships are also available.

Most financial support starts in the Fall Semester, which begins in late August. Some financial support is sometimes available starting in the Spring Semester, which begins in mid-January. For full consideration, applications for Fall Semester admission and for financial aid should be completed by January 15. Financial support is offered to the most qualified applicants during February, March, and April. Most students admitted to the program are offered financial aid. Financial aid is renewed each year to those students who make good progress toward their degree.