FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Graduate students may receive financial support through fellowships, traineeships and teaching or research assistantships sponsored by federal, state and private agencies. Prospective students may request consideration for financial assistance in the form of fellowships, traineeships, and assistantships by completing the appropriate sections of the admissions application form or for loans by submitting a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form available from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

A graduate student must be in good academic standing (3.0 GPA or better) to be eligible for appointment to an assistantship, fellowship, or traineeship and must be registered in each semester in which the appointment is in effect. There are also minimum registration requirements for eligibility for tuition and health insurance benefits.

ASSISTANTSHIPS

The University offers approximately 2,200 assistantships each year. Stipend rates for teaching, research, extension, and services assistantships are competitive with other universities. For further information on the availability of assistantships, applicants should contact the program area of interest. Graduate Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, and Graduate Extension Assistants may be eligible for health insurance and tuition benefits. Graduate Services Assistants do not participate in these benefits.

A completed and signed Terms and Conditions for Appointment document (or the Conditions for Appointment document, along with a letter of offer stating the "terms" of appointment) is required for all new or initial Graduate Assistantship appointments. Initiated by the department or program, the "Terms and Conditions" document states the expectations the University has for assistantships and for the individuals on these appointments, the conditions upon which they are appointed, and the benefits graduate student are entitled to in exchange for fulfilling their obligations.  

FELLOWSHIPS

The Financing Graduate School Education section of the Graduate School website provides an overview of types of funding available for graduate education, descriptions of selected NC State fellowships/traineeships and grants administered by the Graduate School, and searchable databases for nationally competitive fellowships and other funding opportunities. Fellowship competitions are also routinely announced via e-mail to Directors of Graduate Programs and/or in the NC State Official Bulletin.

institutionally awarded fellowships and traineeships.  The Graduate School, as well as some colleges, departments or programs offer fellowships/traineeships. Students are nominated for these awards by their colleges, departments, or programs with selection being made by faculty committees or by the Graduate School. For additional information on and application procedures for institutionally awarded fellowships/traineeships, individuals should contact the Graduate School or the appropriate college, department, or program. General information on institutionally awarded fellowships/traineeships and grants administered by the Graduate School is available on the Graduate School website.

nationally competitive fellowships.  Prospective and enrolled graduate students are encouraged to apply for national and regional fellowships in addition to awards sponsored through the University. These awards are made to an individual rather than to the University. To be considered for a nationally competitive fellowship, students apply directly to a granting organization/agency. Once awarded the fellowship (with some exceptions), the student may take it to any university to which he or she has been admitted or is enrolled.  Applications and/or information on nationally competitive portable fellowship programs are available through a number of searchable databases. 

Examples of institutionally awarded fellowships/traineeships and grants administered by the Graduate School are listed below. Complete eligibility requirements and information on these programs is available on the Graduate School website.

alumni association graduate fellowships.  Funded by the Alumni Association and administered by the Graduate School, these University-wide graduate awards are intended to supplement fellowships and assistantships in an effort to recruit outstanding entering graduate students in any field of study to NC State.  The Alumni Fellowships are currently $2,000 for the academic year, with the exception of two $3,000 awards for Public History students to assist the University Archivist. International students are eligible.

In addition to the Alumni Association Graduate Fellowships administered by the Graduate School, there are also two Alumni Association International Graduate Fellowships and one Alumni Association International Undergraduate Scholarship awarded to enrolled international students each year. These awards are for continuing students and are administered by the Office of International Services.  

andrews ph.d. fellowship. This is a prestigious one-year award offered to a top entering Ph.D. student at NC State University in any discipline. Students admitted to Master’s programs leading to the Ph.D. are also eligible. The fellowship provides a stipend of $21,500, in-state tuition and fees, and health insurance. 

bioscience research initiative for doctoral graduate education (bridge). The NC State University Doctoral BRIDGE (Bioscience Research Initiative for Doctoral Graduate Education) Program aims to increase the number of researchers in underrepresented populations in the biomedical and life sciences. The program supports graduate students in pursuit of the Master of Science degree at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and promotes their entrance into biomedical and bioscience Ph.D. programs at NC State University. Components of BRIDGE activities include faculty mentors and access to specialized equipment for Master's-level BRIDGE students, faculty research collaborations, enhanced curricula of the partner institution by sponsoring seminars and other professional activities, and a specialized summer biotechnology course. The BRIDGE program offers a two-year salary, funds for laboratory materials and supplies, and travel funds to both national meetings and to the annual BRIDGE Biomedical Symposium.

the jerry j. collier scholarship provides funding to a graduate student who has earned the baccalaureate degree at NC State and who participated in a varsity sport during his or her undergraduate tenure here. The criteria for selection include academic credentials and statement of goals and objectives. The scholarship is approximately $7,500 per academic year and may be renewed on an annual basis.

diversity enhancement grants are funded by the State of North Carolina for students who are accepted in Master's or Ph.D. programs at NC State. Criteria for selection include: academic record, character, creativity, educational and economic background, race and ethnicity, gender, exceptional personal talents, unique work or service experience, and leadership potential.  Applicants must add to the goal of increasing diversity in graduate education at North Carolina State University. Recipients are awarded stipends based on financial need up to $4,000 for the academic year, with an option of $500 in additional support for study in the summer session.  

emol a. fails graduate fellowship. This fellowship is designed to provide supplemental support to a graduate student who is interested in career in the construction industry. It is intended to fund graduate students in graduate programs combining training in a construction-related engineering discipline with instruction in business/technology management. Fellows receive a stipend of $6,000.

graduate assistance in areas of national need (gaann) fellowships. The U.S. Department of Education provides support to expedite completion of the doctoral degree for graduate students committed to a career of teaching and research in an identified area of national need. In addition to an annual stipend of up to $30,000, depending on financial need, the program covers tuition, fees, health insurance, and an allowance to cover other educational expenses. To date, NC State has been awarded 118 fellowships for graduate students in the area of electronic materials, 55 fellowships in biotechnology, and 52 in scientific computation. Information is available at http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/grad_fellows/GAANN_INFO.htm.

arthur b. moss graduate school international travel grant fund. Funded through an endowment provided to NC State by Arthur B. Moss, the Graduate School International Travel Grant program is designed to supplement departmental efforts to enable their doctoral candidates to make presentations at international professional conferences. The program is designed not only to give students valuable experience in making research presentations, but also to maintain and enhance NC State’s reputation internationally as one of this nation’s top research universities. Eligibility is limited to full-time doctoral students in any field of study who have achieved candidacy for their degree, and priority is given to students who are first authors on the paper to be presented.

preparing the professoriate is a program that gives faculty and doctoral students the opportunity to engage in a significant mentoring activity for an academic year. It is a central component of NC State's attempt to enrich and improve the way in which graduate students are trained at this university. The program is open to doctoral students who plan careers as research/teaching scholars at colleges and universities. In order to participate in the program, students must have completed 18 graduate credit hours in their major prior to the teaching semester, must be in good academic standing in their department, and must be at a point in their doctoral program where they have sufficient time to work with a Faculty Teaching Mentor. The program sponsors 5-6 workshops for participants throughout the academic year illuminating various aspects of college/university teaching. Ten doctoral students are selected for the program through a University-wide competition. Each of these students will receive a $2,000 stipend ($1,000 per semester).  International students may be accepted into the program but due to U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service regulations will not receive the $2,000 stipend directly.  However, the stipend may be deposited into a departmental account for the student's utilization for program related expenses.  

unc campus scholarships. Funded by UNC General Administration, this program is designed to promote diversity at the graduate level at NC State. Eligibility is limited to new or continuing full-time doctoral students who have financial need and who are residents of North Carolina as of the beginning of the award period. Individuals who have been accepted to a Master’s degree program in a department offering the doctoral degree and who intend, and will be eligible, to pursue doctoral studies at NC State after completion of the requirements for the Master’s degree are also eligible. Criteria for selection include: academic record, character, creativity, educational and economic background, race and ethnicity, gender, exceptional personal talents, unique work or service experience, and leadership potential.  Applicants must add to the goal of increasing diversity in graduate education at NC State. Stipend amounts are based on financial need up to $4,000 for the academic year, with an option of $500 in additional support for study in the summer. 

wachovia supplemental fellowships. Two awards of $3,000 are available to entering graduate students in the College of Management and in the graduate program in Financial Mathematics. Selection is based on both merit and financial need.

randall l. and susan p. ward fellowships. The Ward Fellowship is awarded to entering doctoral students in any field of study. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens. Fellows will be paid a stipend of $5,000 for the academic year.

steve and jane warren-wolfpack club graduate fellowships. The Warren-Wolfpack Club Graduate Fellowship is a prestigious one-year award offered to a top entering graduate students who played a varsity sport either at NC State or at another college of university. Warren-Wolfpack Club Fellows are chosen on the basis of academic record, athletic achievement, and character and leadership. Two fellowships are available each year, and they provide a stipend of approximately $6,000 for a period of one academic year.

walter h. wilkinson research ethics fellowship.  Funded through an endowment established by NC State alumnus Walter H. Wilkinson, this fellowship, with a stipend of $3,000, is awarded to a doctoral student at NC State University who wishes to participate in the Research Ethics Fellows Program. Within the university’s larger Research Ethics Program, Research Ethics Fellows are doctoral students who engage in an in-depth study of research ethics for one academic year, exploring the guidelines for professional conduct and ethical decision-making that are part of the very fabric of a research university. Each applicant applies in conjunction with a faculty mentor, the Senior Research Ethics Fellow.  Together, they develop curricular materials in research ethics. Applicants must be doctoral students sufficiently advanced in their program to allow them time to work collaboratively and intensively with the Senior Fellow, and in good academic standing in their department. Students should have completed 18 credit hours in their major and had some research experience by the beginning of the fellowship term.

GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT PLAN

The Graduate Student Support Plan is a highly competitive support package used to attract top students to NC State. Under the Plan, students supported on a teaching or research assistantship or a fellowship of at least $666.67 per month and who meet the minimum registration requirement, receive health insurance at no cost to the student and tuition for a limited number of semesters. For a table summarizing benefits and requirements, see the GSSP Requirements-at-a-Glance.

I.  GSSP BENEFITS

Full Payment of In-State Tuition
Called an in-state tuition award, this benefit is provided to all eligible students for the following periods.

For Master's Students: Four (4) semesters after their initial enrollment in the Graduate School at NC State as long as they register for a minimum of nine (9) credit hours for the first three (3) semesters and a minimum of three (3) credit hours in the fourth semester.

For Doctoral Students:

Full Payment of Out-of-State Tuition

Tuition remission is a benefit available under the same terms and conditions as the in-state tuition award, detailed above. Students who qualify to establish North Carolina residency are encouraged to do so at the earliest possible date.

Notes on Tuition Benefits

Health Insurance

The NC State Graduate Student Health Insurance plan covers all eligible students under the following terms and conditions:

In addition, a student who loses or terminates their assistantship or fellowship but remains a degree student at the university may choose to purchase health insurance through the NC State Student Preferred Care Medical Plan for the remainder of their tenure as a degree student or until they again become eligible for the GSSP.

The coverage provided by the GSSP is equal to or better than the NC State Student Preferred Care Medical Plan. For details on insurance benefits, visit the Hill, Chesson & Woody website.

II. GSSP REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility Requirements  

Minimum Stipend Level
To be eligible, students must be appointed on an assistantship or fellowship paid through the University receiving a minimum annualized stipend of $3,000 per semester or $8,000 per year ($666.67 per month). 

Note: Supplemental fellowships do not contribute to the $3,000 (or $8,000) total.  Graduate Services Assistantships are not eligible for the Graduate Student Support Plan. A definition of graduate teaching assistants, graduate research assistants and graduate services assistants can be found in Section 4.2 of the Graduate Administrative Handbook.

Appointment Deadlines
To receive the in-state tuition award and out-of-state tuition remission, assistantship and/or fellowship appointments must be effective on or before census date of the given semester. However, to ensure tuition payments are made in a timely manner, assistantships or fellowship appointments should be approved at college level on or before census date.

Census Date: The census date is the 10th day of classes each fall or spring semester. This date is publicized well in advance on the GSSP website and online Graduate School calendar. It is normally the same day that the Pack Tracks registration system closed for the semester. It is also the last day to register for, add, or drop a course, or to change from credit to audit with a refund or reduction.

Enrollment Requirements

Master's Students - Must register for a minimum of nine (9) credits each semester for the first three (3) semesters that they receive tuition benefits and a minimum of three (3) credit hours in the 4th semester.

Doctoral Students with a Master's degree in the same or related field upon initial admission to the Graduate School - Must register for a minimum of nine (9) credits for each semester for the first six (6) semesters that they receive tuition benefits and a minimum of three (3) credit hours in the 7th and 8th semester.

Doctoral Students without a Master's degree in the same or related field upon initial admission to the Graduate School - Must register for a minimum of nine (9) credits for each semester for the first eight (8) semesters that they receive tuition benefits and a minimum of three (3) credit hours in the 9th and 10th semester.

Registration Deadlines

To continue eligibility in the GSSP, students must be registered by 5:00 pm on the census date of each fall or spring semester for no fewer that the minimum credit hours indicated above. Credit hours attributed to audited classes do not count toward minimum semester credit-hour requirements for the GSSP. Tuition charges related to audited courses are not reimbursed by the GSSP. Credit hours attributed to distance education courses do count toward the minimum registration requirement but GSSP will not pay for more than the on-campus rate for the total hours registered. 

Summer registration is not required for GSSP.  However, unregistered students are required to pay a special fee to use the Student Health Center during the summer.  

Payment of Tuition and Fees

Students may receive a billing statement from the University Cashier’s Office containing tuition charges that will be covered by the GSSP.  If such charges appear and you are certain that the student qualifies for the GSSP, go to the Cashier’s Office website and complete the Notice of Sponsorship form by the deadline indicated on the tuition bill.  Indicate Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP) as their third party sponsor for tuition only and for “amount” enter the on-campus tuition rate for the total hours registered.  For a list of on campus tuition rates, see http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/cashier/tuition/gradtuition.asp. 

Students must submit payment of fees by the deadline indicated on the tuition bill or their registration may be cancelled. If registration is cancelled and not reinstated by census date of the given semester, the student will not be eligible for benefits under GSSP.

OTHER FINANCIAL AID

Long-Term Loans

Graduate students who are American citizens or eligible non-citizens may apply for long-term, low interest loans through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. To qualify for loans, students must be making satisfactory academic progress towards a degree and must complete the appropriate application materials to demonstrate that all federal eligibility requirements for loan consideration have been met. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form required to document eligibility for federal loan assistance. In addition, all graduate students must complete the Graduate Enrollment and Benefits Status Form, and entering graduate students must complete the university's Institutional Financial Aid Application. These forms are available online through the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid. Although students are expected to apply for and to accept any available assistantships or fellowships provided by the Graduate School, it is recommended that students not wait for these decisions to be made before applying for financial aid through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. If graduate assistantships or fellowships are offered, and borrowing no longer becomes necessary, students have the option to cancel their requests for loan assistance at any point.

Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized): Funding for these loans is provided by private lenders. Since they are partially supported by the federal government, however, students must follow federal guidelines in applying for aid to qualify. Information on specific application procedures, loan maximums, interest rates and participating lenders may be obtained from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Students who apply for these loans and demonstrate need by federal definition qualify for Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, meaning that the federal government pays the interest on the loan while the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. If no need is demonstrated, students may still borrow to meet the cost of education (minus other resources, such as scholarships, fellowships, tuition remissions, and other resources) through the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program. Students who receive unsubsidized loans are charged interest while enrolled, although they may elect to capitalize interest payments to repay with principal upon completion of degree. For both subsidized and unsubsidized loans, repayment of principal is deferred until completion of the degree or until termination of at least half-time enrollment status.  

Graduate PLUS Loans:  The Higher Education Act of 2005 contains a new provision making graduate students eligible to borrow Federal PLUS Loans beginning July 1, 2006.  The Graduate PLUS Loan may provide a valuable resource in meeting a graduate student’s full cost of attendance.  Some features of the new loan include:  

  1. students must complete a FAFSA and exhaust Federal Stafford Loan eligibility before qualifying for a Graduate PLUS Loan;
  2. students must not have an adverse credit history;
  3. students may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other aid received;
  4. the PLUS loan interest rate will be a fixed rate of 8.5% but lenders may offer interest rate reduction incentives; and
  5. Graduate PLUS Loan borrowers will be eligible for in-school deferments as long as they are enrolled at least half-time.

Other Loan Options:  Because of limited institutional funds, graduate students generally are expected to apply for the maximum Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans for which they are eligible if funding is needed to assist with educational expenses. Students who need to borrow more than the maximum amounts possible through those loan programs (the combined annual maximum is $18,500) may apply for private loan assistance. The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid can recommend a number of private loan options for students who express an interest in such funding.

Work-Study Jobs

The Federal Work-Study Program is a federal program designed to provide part-time jobs to students who apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and who document need by federal guidelines. Effort is made to offer students a variety of jobs to meet their special interests and skills. Most of the jobs are on-campus, but limited opportunities for off-campus employment in community service areas are also available.

Part-Time Jobs  

Other jobs not based on need are posted under Student Employment on NC State's homepage and under Student Job Opportunities on the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid homepage. These jobs are open to all students.

Short-Term Emergency Loans

Loans, usually in amounts of $100 or less, to meet emergency expenses may be obtained on short notice (generally with 24 hours of application) at the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. These loans, in that they are designed for short-term, emergency use, must be repaid within about 30 days. A loan may not be taken out between semesters or between summer sessions.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) is designed to enhance the quality of instruction and learning by providing interested, qualified graduate students a broader understanding of their fields of study and their applicability to the world of work. Over 500 partners in industry, business and government request graduate students for their co-op positions primarily on a full-time basis. Job offers are made by the employer based on student qualifications. Employer needs are a reflection of the labor market. Work assignments are supervised by the employer and monitored by the co-op program staff. On average, 75 graduate students are at work each semester and earn an average of $18.50 per hour. Co-op participants must enroll each term of employment at a cost of $338.

For admission to the program, students must meet the following criteria:

International students must also meet visa regulations pertaining to curricular practical training. Further information is provided at orientation sessions. Call 515-4427 for a schedule.

MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) selects interested university students for enrollment in Army ROTC (AROTC), Navy (NROTC) or Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) for officer education and training leading toward a commission in the respective military service.

Air Force ROTC

Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps (AFROTC) is one of the three commissioning programs in the United States Air Force. Graduate students who will be at NC State for at least two years may, upon successful completion of a five-week summer leadership training period, be enrolled in the ROTC Program. In some cases, graduate students with only three semesters remaining may enroll in AFROTC. The AFROTC curriculum stresses four main areas: leadership and management, professional knowledge, defense studies, and communication skills where students will learn valuable skills which can applied to schoolwork and apply to a job upon graduation. AFROTC offers scholarships to many of its qualified students. Most of these scholarships cover the cost of tuition, and all scholarships entitle the cadet to an allotment for books and a monthly stipend. AFROTC provides an active, exciting college program that could lead to a promising career in the US Air Force. Generally speaking, students completing the program serve four years as a commissioned officer and will gain unique experiences and knowledge valuable not only in the military but also in the civilian world as well. If a student is interested in learning to fly, the AFROTC program is a possible way to get started. Students with three or more semesters of remaining course work may be eligible to enroll in Air Force ROTC. Uniforms and books for ROTC are provided. Additional information may be obtained by call the Department of Aerospace Studies at 515-2417 or visit the website at http://www.ncsu.edu/airforce_rotc.

Army ROTC

Army ROTC is an educational program combining college electives in military science with practical leadership training to prepare men and women to become U. S. Army officers. Traditionally, Army ROTC is a four-year program with the first two years of the program comprising the Basic Course. There is also a special program for juniors and graduate students who did not take Army ROTC during their first two years of college. To enter the two-year program, a student must first participate in a five-week basic leadership instruction course.  After successfully completing this course, students may qualify to join ROTC as an Advanced Course Cadet. The Advanced Course will impart valuable experience in leadership development, military history, time management, and military customs and courtesies.

ROTC training goes beyond the typical college classroom in that students will not only learn skills one would expect to find in an Army officer including how to motivate co-workers, cope with the unexpected and organize large, complex tasks, but they will also learn skills such as teamwork, tact, and effective communication which are in demand in both the civilian and business world.

Army ROTC awards scholarships to many qualified students based strictly on merit to the most outstanding students. Army ROTC Advanced Course students also receive a tax-free stipend of between $300-500 per month. Scholarship students receive tuition, the monthly stipend, and additional funding of approximately $900 each school year for books. Students entering the Advanced Course must agree to complete a period of military service, either Active Duty, Army Reserve or Army National Guard upon graduation. Students successfully completing the ROTC course will graduate with a diploma and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

A Professor of Military Science can provide a more detailed explanation of military service obligations and can also answer any other questions that may arise about Army ROTC. Call (919) 515-2428, visit the web site at http://www.ncsu.edu/army_rotc/ or visit the offices next to Talley Student Center in Reynolds Coliseum for more information.

Navy ROTC

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Program was established to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as a commissioned officer in the Navy or Marine Corps. The largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the NROTC program fills a vital need in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps. The diversity that the NROTC program offers demonstrates the diversity that has made the Navy-Marine Corps team so successful. Naval ROTC is a great opportunity to learn the skills needed to lead and manage people in the technical Navy and Marine Corps of today.

To be selected for graduate ROTC scholarships, one must have been enrolled prior to receiving their undergraduate degree from the university. For more information please call the Naval Science Department at 515-6216, LT Reynolds.