THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Financial assistance and funding opportunities

There are a number of resources through which you can fund your graduate education.

Graduate teaching and research assistantships

Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available for some full-time graduate students. Teaching and research assistantships may cover all or part of tuition and may provide stipends in return for specified hours of work, usually 20 hours per week.

Student loans

Student loans are available to degree-seeking graduate students. Information on student loans can be found through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

In-state residency information

The University of Akron residency guidelines are established by the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Information on in-state residency for tuition surcharge purposes can be found through the Office of the University Registrar.

Graduate fellowships and grants

A limited number of non-service fellowships are made available by faculty members through external research grants. These non-service fellowships do not require the student to work for a specified number of hours as is required for graduate teaching and research assistants.

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Learn more about the NSF's Graduate Research Fellowship Program.

Doctoral dissertation research grants

Doctoral students and their advisers should plan to seek external funding for the students' doctoral research. The experience of applying for a dissertation grant should be considered part of graduate study. While such an application is not a degree requirement and successfully obtaining funding can be difficult, developing a dissertation grant proposal teaches a skill that almost all doctoral students will find valuable in their professional careers. As well, the process of developing a proposal will sharpen the students' thinking about their eventual doctoral research projects. Doctoral students should work closely with their dissertation advisers to develop their project and proposal.

Sources of funding for student research projects exists.

Different funders have different requirements for applications, size of awards, and timelines. This information is available on the funder's website.

Note that the application process can be lengthy (12-18 months), so it is important that doctoral students begin planning their dissertation research as soon as possible in their program. Suggested timeline for developing a dissertation research grant proposal.

The Office of Research Administration offers workshops on grant writing that students may attend.

Depending on their academic fields and specific research doctoral students may need to become familiar with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements for the protection of of human subjects or radiation and biohazard standards.

There are also University of Akron submission policies and guidelines that doctoral students will need to follow.

Scholarship Aid through Army ROTC for Graduate Students

Scholarships are available to graduate students through the ROTC Program at The University of Akron. Under an ROTC scholarship, you would receive money for your courses and books plus a monthly stipend. Once you complete ROTC leadership training and receive your degree, you would serve as a Second Lieutenant in one of several branches of the Army, either on Active Duty, in the National Guard, or in the Army Reserve. Contact the UA's Army ROTC for more information.