Graduate School Funding Checklist

Graduate School is a significant financial commitment. The Graduate School has put together a list of questions for students to consider to help them make the best choices regarding their graduate education: 

Funding questions to ask, consider, and/or understand: 

• Who is funding you? 
• Do you completely understand what it is you will be receiving? 
• Does it provide a living stipend for you (given your personal circumstances, and just for YOU, not family)? 
• Does it cover tuition? 
• Does it require someone else to pay your tuition? 
• What are the stipulations to accept and keep it? 
• Will accepting it impact other funds you have already received? 
• If you are accepting financial aid, do you fully understand how the process works now? 
• If you are accepting financial aid, have you considered if the aid is worth the return on investment? 
• If you are accepting financial aid, have you considered how you will reasonably pay back the amount you borrowed as well as interest? 
• Are there funds available for extras such as travel, conferences, and research expenses? 
• Are you required to work for your fellowship? 
• Are you able to accept employment within or outside the university while on fellowship or assistantship? 
• Is there a limit (hours per week or dollar amounts) that you can accept while on fellowship or assistantship? 
• Is it possible to accept more than one award at a time?  
• What is the timing of your awards? 
• What are the lengths of time for your funding or award?  
• Does your funding come with health insurance? 
• What fees or expenses are not covered by your funding?