Funding Opportunities

Jul 24, 2018

Scope: Who is Covered by this Policy?

Graduate Students

Policy

Graduate School Opportunities

Domestic Graduate Grants-in-Aid (GIA) 

Are a form of support for full-time graduate students, providing a waiver of the Instructional Fee and out-of-state tuition surcharge (if applicable). There are no stipend payments and no required duties for the recipient of a graduate grant-in-aid. Grants-in-Aid are available for either one or both semesters of the regular academic year and/or the summer session. First-time degree students are given preference for these grants, due to high demand. Students can obtain an application for a grant-in-aid from the Graduate School website. A FAFSA must be completed as part of the application process. See Calendar of Events and Deadlines for the submission deadline.

International Graduate Grants-in-Aid (GIA) 

Are a form of support for qualifying full-time graduate students providing a waiver of the Instructional Fee and out of state tuition surcharge. There are no stipend payments and no required duties for the recipient of international graduate grants-in-aid. Departments will nominate eligible students by submitting the Request for Grants in Aid Form to the Director of International Admissions. Typically, no more than 3 GIA are awarded per degree program. GIA will be awarded in two rounds. Round 1- End of the first week in March. Round 2- End of the week following April 15 (national acceptance deadline). Departments should not inform students of the GIA offer until confirmed by the Graduate School. There are a total of 20 International Grants in Aid waivers available.

Renewal of a Graduate Grant-in-Aid 

Students nominated for renewal must have earned a 3.0 or greater GPA. Doctoral, March III, and MFA students are eligible for renewal once for a 2-year total award; the department is expected to fund the student after the second year. Renewal of the Grants in Aid for subsequent year(s) in non-Doctoral and non-MFA degree programs is the decision of the Graduate School.

GIA waivers are valid for up to one academic year (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). Recipients must be enrolled full-time in a degree program. GIA waivers cannot be transferred to a new degree program.

To be eligible, applicants must have the following:

  • Earned degree(s) from a university recognized by the Country’s Ministry of Education
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 after credential evaluation
  • If required, applicant must meet a minimum level of English proficiency: TOEFL iBT total score greater than or equal to 87 with a minimum speaking score of 20; IELTS overall band score greater than or equal to 7.0 with a minimum speaking score of 6.5
  • Muskie, Fulbright, and Bahamian students automatically qualify
  • Applicant must be on an F or J visa

 

Graduate School Scholar Assistantship (GSSA) 

The GSSA is a recruiting assistantship intended to be used to attract and matriculate the best and brightest prospective graduate students. The GSSA provides two semesters for a doctoral degree and one semester for a thesis-based master’s degree on a Graduate School funded research assistantship dedicated to full-time research related to the student’s dissertation or thesis. To be eligible, applicants must have applied for full-time study to a doctoral degree or thesis—based master’s degree and be in the top 10% of the applicant pool for that degree program. The nominating department must offer a full graduate award.  Students completing non-thesis options are not eligible.  If a recipient of the GSSA changes from a thesis to a non-thesis option during the course of his or her studies, the student will forfeit the award. See Calendar of Events and Deadlines for submission deadline.

Diversity Enhancement Pathway (DEP) Assistantship 

The DEP Assistantship is intended to attract diverse domestic students to Miami’s graduate programs, with the goal to increase the number of diverse domestic students completing masters and doctoral study at Miami University. This assistantship provides a Graduate School funded stipend and tuition waiver for one academic semester per year for either two years for master’s students or four years for doctoral students. This will result in either two semesters or four semesters of Graduate School funded support for master’s or doctoral students, respectively.  Departments will provide the remaining stipend and tuition waiver for the duration of the student’s graduate program and will assign assistantship duties for the awardee.  See Calendar of Events and Deadlines for submission deadline.

Ronald E. McNair Graduate Assistantship (RMGA) 

The RMGA’s are intended to attract current undergraduate McNair Scholars and McNair Alumni to Miami’s graduate programs, with the goal to increase the number of diverse domestic students completing graduate study at Miami University. The Program provides a Graduate School funded stipend and tuition waiver for one academic semester per year for either two years for master’s students or three years for doctoral students. During the student’s program they will also be provided an additional Graduate School funded Research Assistantship for either one semester for master’s students or two semesters for doctoral students. The student will choose which semester(s) they wish to be appointed on the Research Assistantship. This will result in either three semesters or six semesters of Graduate School funded support for master’s or doctoral students, respectively. Departments will provide the remaining stipend and tuition waiver for the duration of the student’s graduate program. When not on the Research Assistantship, the nominating department will assign assistantship duties for the awardee.  See Calendar of Events and Deadlines for submission deadline.

The Marjorie Post Farrington Scholarship 

The Farrington Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student studying in any area. The award is for $1,000 and is based primarily on merit and secondarily on financial need. Application is made to the Graduate School Student Financial Assistance Committee. See Calendar of Events and Deadlines for the submission deadline. Financial need must be established – see application for details.

Departmental Opportunities

Many departments and programs have a variety of financial assistance awards available for specific activities within each discipline. Please consult with the Department Chair for a list of awards.

Other Financial Assistance

In addition to awards administered through the Graduate School, the Office of Student Financial Assistance offers Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and private loans. Campus employment is also available. These programs are described below; for additional information contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance (513) 529-8734 or visit their website at Financial Aid.

Cost of Attendance and Aid Eligibility 

Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on campus, housing plan, residency, and enrollment status including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.   A student may not receive aid in excess of the COA. If a student receives a graduate assistantship, that amount is considered a resource and is used in the formula to determine financial need. In order to remain compliant with federal regulations, the amount of a graduate assistantship is subtracted from the COA to determine the student’s remaining financial aid eligibility.

Example: If a student’s COA is $30,000 and he or she has a graduate assistantship for $10,000, he or she has financial aid eligibility of $20,000 and can only borrow loans up to that amount.

Federal Assistance

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program: Eligible students filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be considered. Upon verification of eligibility, completion of a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Interview (if a first time borrower at Miami University), the loan funds will be credited to the student’s Bursar account.

Subsidized Loan: Eligibility for a Direct Subsidized Loan is based on financial need as determined under federal regulations. With a Direct Subsidized Loan, the interest is paid by the federal government while a student attends school at least half-time (6 graduate credit hours per semester) and during grace or deferment periods. Graduate or professional students may borrow up to $8,500 in subsidized loans per academic year.

Unsubsidized Loan: Need is not a factor in determining eligibility for an unsubsidized loan. With a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, interest begins to accumulate on the day the loan is disbursed to a student’s account and continues until the loan is paid in full. Repayment of the interest can be deferred while a student is in school and attending at least six (6) graduate credit hours per semester. Graduate or professional students may borrow up to $10,000 in unsubsidized loans per academic year.

Note: The maximum total debt aggregate limit for a graduate student is $138,500 (including undergraduate study and only $65,500 may be in subsidized loans). For the 2012-13 academic year, the interest rate for both loans is fixed at 6.8%.

Graduate PLUS Loan: In addition to the Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, graduate students may borrow additional funds through the Graduate PLUS Loan program. The loan is in the student’s name and is subject to credit approval. The student is automatically placed in an in-school deferment status while enrolled in school at least half time (6 credit hours). The first payment will be due within forty-five (45) days after the deferment ends when the student graduates or drops below half time.

Private Loans 

Private loans are not federally guaranteed and do not require filing the FAFSA. If a student is interested in borrowing through a private lender, please apply online and review the lender information provided at www.miamioh.edu/loans.

Campus Employment

Human Resources coordinates all student employment on campus. Students seeking employment should review the Human Resources Student Employment webpage. Graduate student wages may vary according to the graduate student’s skills or responsibilities. If students hold an assistantship and want to work on campus, they must first receive approval from their academic department and the Graduate School.

Related Form(s)

Not Applicable.

Additional Resources and Procedures

Websites

FAQ

Not Applicable.

Policy Administration

Next Review Date

7/1/2023

Responsible Officer

 

Legal Authority

Not Applicable.

Compliance Policy

No

Revision History

 

Reference ID

Graduate Handbook 2.3

Reviewing Bodies

Administrative