Opportunities for Graduate Financial Aid
Graduate Student Loans
Graduate student loans function similarly to undergraduate student loans. They are designed to give graduate students access to enough funds to complete their educations. They also carry reasonable repayment plans to allow loan recipients the chance to develop their careers and pay down their debts over extended periods of time.
Four types of loan options exist for graduate students, each with its own specific benefits and award qualifications. You can find information pertaining specifically to graduate students in each of the following pages:
- Stafford Loans
- Perkins Loans
- PLUS Loans
- Private Education Loans
Review the information included in these sections carefully. As with any serious financial commitment, it's important to make sure you completely understand all the aspects of a loan before borrowing. If you have additional questions about the specific loan options available to you, consult your school's graduate student aid office.
Grants for Graduate Students
Grants for graduate students are almost identical to grants for undergraduate students. One of the primary differences, though, is that graduate-level grants are usually more research-intensive since they are intended for students with a higher level of academic ability.
Many different types of graduate student grants exist, and a simple online search may provide a variety of applicable results. Depending on your area of specialty, a grant can give you great financial support for your research while also potentially boosting your academic reputation.
Fellowship Awards
For graduate students, fellowships are the equivalent of undergraduate scholarships. Fellowships are gifts that do not require repayment and are intended for graduate students with specific academic goals. Many fellowships carry a certain level of prestige and are often very competitive. These types of awards are usually reserved for the best of the best within any given area of study.
Assistantship Awards
Assistantships are another form of financial aid, but they function more like work-study awards for graduate students. Graduate students may obtain assistantships requiring a range of different services. Some graduate assistants are asked to teach undergraduate courses. Others may participate in specific research programs or tutor other students.
Consult your graduate program of study to find more information about available financial aid. If you qualify, some programs may have enough funds to pay your entire way through graduate school.
