Funding Grad School
The University of Memphis Graduate School is committed to providing access to outstanding graduate programs at an affordable price. For information on the actual cost of graduate school, please visit:
You might also find our cost of attendance calculator useful: https://umwa.memphis.edu/estimator/
Full-time graduate study requires a minimum of 9 credit hrs. unless you are late-stage doctoral. For more information on time status see academic regulations here.
Funding graduate education can be challenging, but there are various options available to ease the financial burden.
Financial Aid
If you are a domestic student, you might qualify for federal financial aid in the form of grants or loans. Be sure to fill out the FFASFA form to determine your eligibility. For more information, please reach out to our financial aid office: https://www.memphis.edu/financialaid/graduate/aidprog2.php
University of Memphis Graduate Scholarships
Some University of Memphis graduate programs offer graduate merit scholarships (either department funded, or donor funded). These competitive scholarships are given to students with exceptional academic records. Amounts vary. Reach out to your department or program directly to see if scholarships are available and to determine your eligibility.
International Graduate Merit Scholarship
The University of Memphis (UofM) selectively awards competitive merit-based scholarships for newly admitted degree-seeking international students on a J-1 or F-1 visa taking classes on campus. We value scholarly achievement and academic success and want to attract the best and brightest students to join our innovative programs and to learn from our world-renowned faculty.
Dual citizens and/or permanent residents are not eligible for this scholarship. This scholarship is for entering first-time applicants only. Continuing or enrolled students are not eligible for this scholarship. Students receiving assistantships or other university funding are not eligible for this scholarship.
Please visit https://www.memphis.edu/admissions/basics/int-scholarships.php for information and eligibility.
University of Memphis Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships serve to facilitate graduate students in the prompt and successful completion of an advanced degree program and to provide work experience in a setting under the supervision of a faculty or administrative mentor.
Full-time Graduate Assistantships
A full-time graduate assistant (GA) will work, on average, 20 hours a week (equivalent to a half-time employee). Full-time graduate assistantships include full tuition, fees, (starting in the fall of 2024) health insurance, and a stipend. Full-time graduate assistants must be enrolled full-time (9 credit hrs.) unless they are at late stage (dissertation stage), or in the last semester of their master’s program or a master’s student taking thesis hours. Enrollment is not required during the summer to receive a graduate assistantship during the summer unless you are a new student. Health insurance will be covered for full-time GAs who have been contracted for at least 4 months.
Part-time Graduate Assistantship
A part-time graduate assistant (GA) will work, on average, 10 hours a week. Part-time graduate assistantship tuition levels and stipends vary. Health insurance is not currently available for part-time graduate assistants. Part-time assistantships are available to students enrolled in at least 3 hours or for those at dissertation/thesis stage who are enrolled in at least one credit hr. Enrollment is not required during to receive a graduate assistantship during the summer unless you are a new student.
Graduate assistantships are highly competitive. They are offered primarily through graduate programs/departments and are available only to students within those programs. Please contact your department to check on the availability of graduate assistantships and your eligibility.
Occasionally non-academic units will also be looking for graduate assistants that are open to students across the campus. Job postings for those positions can be found here. You must be admitted to the University of Memphis to access the employment software (Handshake).
University of Memphis Graduate School Award and Fellowships
A limited number of competitive awards and fellowships are offered by the graduate school. To be considered for these awards you must be nominated by your department. Please visit our website here for information and eligibility.
University of Memphis Student Worker Positions
A variety of units on campus employ students (both graduate and undergraduate). To explore job postings please visit here. You must be admitted to the University of Memphis to access the employment software (Handshake).
External grants and fellowships
Many funding organizations offer grants and fellowships to help support your graduate education. Here are some resources for finding external grants and fellowship opportunities.
- https://libguides.memphis.edu/graduate/grants
- https://pathwaystoscience.org/grad.aspx
- https://new.nsf.gov/funding/graduate-students
- https://mcnairscholars.com/funding/
Employment benefits
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits. Check with your human resources office at your work to see if your employer provides educational benefits and your eligibility.
Additional resources: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/student-loans/graduate-school-scholarships-grants/