Funding Opportunities

All applicants are automatically considered for possible funding and we rarely admit people without some sort of funding—usually from the department but sometimes from the university or some external source. The department will make every effort to keep those entering with a B.A. funded for at least four years and those with an M.A. funded for three years. Of course students must remain in good academic standing to receive this funding. Numerous students receive funding beyond these years.

Departmental and University Funding
Departmental funding includes a tuition waiver, health benefits, and a stipend for work as a teaching, research or project assistant; these are available to U.S. citizens and foreign students. A limited number of Graduate School Fellowships, as well as Opportunity Awards and other minority fellowships, which also carry tuition waivers, are available. Students requesting assistantships or fellowships are responsible for ensuring that all application materials are on file in the Graduate School by January 15 for entrance in the Fall.

Graduate Student Grant Services (GSGS)

The GSGS is a resource for various levels of assistance regarding funding, external or internal, go to:  www.umass.edu/gradschool/gsgs/ for detailed information. 

External Sources
Many agencies not connected to the university are potential sources of financial aid for graduate students. Some of this support is for students in their early years of graduate work; much is for students working on dissertations. The university maintains an extensive collection containing information on funding sources, private and public. We especially encourage minority students to apply for the Minority Fellowship Program sponsored by the American Sociological Association. Undergraduates apply in their senior year and funding lasts for three years. For an application, write to the Minority Fellowship Program, 1722 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036.