Financial Assistance

We handle the financial assistance decisions here in the department. We have 3 quarter-time graduate assistant positions, which are generally two-year commitments, therefore they open at unpredictable times. Other assistantships may also be available across campus. Sometimes the competition is high, and sometimes it is low, with few applicants. We also have a limited number of tuition waivers, which applicants or existing students can also apply for.

The decisions will be made in April for Fall graduate assistantships, based on the letter, resume, and other materials we already have on file (e.g., GRE scores, undergraduate GPA, etc.). The decisions about tuition waivers – separate from assistantships – will be made in July and December, prior to the related semester.

Assistantships
Qualified students may receive financial support in the form of a Graduate Assistantship (GA) or Board of Higher Education Scholarship. Graduate Assistantship stipends for two semesters are about $13,012 for half-time appointments and $6,506 for quarter-time appointments. GA appointments include a tuition waiver and health insurance.

How to Apply for Assistantships or Tuition Waivers
To apply for an assistantship all you need to do is check the box on the application indicating that you are interested and email the MPA Graduate Director a letter of interest and a current resume.

Applicants or students can apply for tuition waivers with the same letter and resume.

Assistantship Responsibilities
Graduate Teaching Assistants assist professors with grading, proctoring examinations, research and occasionally they deliver classroom lectures. GTA positions offer graduate students unique hands-on opportunities to gain work-related experience.