Graduate Programs - Scholarships & Assistantships

Q:  Are there sources of financial assistance available from the University?  (return to top of page)

A:  Yes.  Financial aid and loan information inquiries should be directed to Financial Aid Services, 243 Whitmore Building, University of Massachusetts, 181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003-8230; (phone) 413-577-0555; (fax) 413-545-1722; (TTY/TDD access) 413-545-9420; (e-mail) grads@finaid.umass.edu; (web) http://www.umass.edu/umfa/.  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Some other University sources of financial support are:

• International Students:  A small number of tuition waivers are available to international students.
• Minority Students:  A limited number of assistantships are available from the Committee for Collegiate Education of Black and Other Minority Students (CCEBMS), New Africa House, University of Massachusetts, 180 Infirmary Way, Amherst, MA 01003-9289; (phone) 413-545-0031; (fax) 413-545- 6556.
• Resident Assistantships:  Live-in residence hall assistantships are available from Housing Services.

Q:  Is there financial assistance available from the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Concentration?  (return to top of page)

A:  A large majority of our students in the past several years have been funded by research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and foreign student tuition waivers.  Most awards of financial aid are made after matriculation in the fall, based on the availability of positions.

Types of Assistance:

• Research and Teaching Assistantships:  These are awarded to students, after they enroll, to assist faculty with funded research or to assist in the teaching of introductory courses.  Ten hours of work per week is expected in return for a weekly stipend, tuition waiver, curriculum fee waiver, health fee waiver, and computer account fee waiver.  The total amount of the award is worth over $9,000 per semester (based on out-of-state tuition).  Although financial assistance may be available to students in any year of their academic program, preference is given to doctoral and second year master students.
• How to Apply for Assistantships:  A list of available research and teaching positions is posted on the Financial Aid page of the department web site at the start of each semester. The list of possible positions is not available prior to this posting. The list includes the project name, requirements, a brief description of responsibilities, and a contact person. The deadline for applications for these positions is normally one week after the list is made available. Applicants are encouraged to meet with contact persons to find out more details, and express special interest in a position.   Applicants may apply to more than one position, but must prioritize their interest.
• Traineeships:  These awards are funded by the Federal Government.   We typically have one or two and, due to the funding source, only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible.  These awards do not require work on the part of the student.  They are awarded for the whole year and include a stipend, tuition waiver, curriculum fee waiver, and computer account fee waiver.  The total amount of the award is worth over $8,500 per semester (based on out-of-state tuition).
  
  In past years, we have been able to support almost all of our students through one of these mechanisms.  Of course, the final number to be supported will depend on the number who matriculate as well as the specific funding opportunities.  A limited number of funded positions may be awarded, before matriculation, to applicants with extremely strong academic records.  These offers will be made shortly after the admission decisions are made.

Is my English good enough to be a Teaching Assistant?

International Teaching Assistants Screening Test of Spoken English

The purpose of this test is to identify any potential difficulties international teaching assistants may have in understanding spoken English or in being understood in the undergraduate classroom.

All incoming international teaching assistants/associates and returning students who will be assuming TA responsibilities for the first time are required to demonstrate their oral English proficiency by passing a test of spoken English. A standardized test, SPEAK, designed by the Educational Testing Service, is used for assessing and measuring the spoken English ability of International Teaching Assistants (ITAs). A score of 50 or above is required to pass the test. It is recommended that students who are not currently funded but who may be funded for a TA or TO position in the future, should also take the test.

The screening test of spoken English communication skills is typically given at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Students will need to sign up for the test outside Room 514, Goodell Building. A sample test is available at the time of sign up. The test will take approximately 1 hour. Please inform the Biostatistics and Epidemiology Graduate Program Director if you are planning to take the test.

Small group English communication instruction classes are offered during fall, spring, and summer to ITAs/ITOs who do not achieve test criteria. Classes are also offered during spring and summer on a space available basis to RAs and international graduate students without funding.

English Proficiency for Summer Practice Experience

As part of the Master of Science or Master of Public Health degree, each student is required to complete a summer practice experience. This may involve working in the public or private sector. Practice experiences are arranged mutually by faculty and student, but depend entirely on the willingness of the public or private sector organization to accept the student. This acceptance requires a good working knowledge of the English language. Your ability to communicate in English must be very good, so that instructions and feedback by your supervisor are readily understood, and any problems quickly resolved. A good written command of English is also necessary. There are resources for International Students (link to 2.2.6) to improve their written and oral English at the University.