Kyiv EducationUSA Advising Center
vul. Esplanadna 20 (6th floor), Kyiv – 01001
Tel.: (+380-44) 289-3952 / 289-3953

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FINANCIAL AID FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

OVERVIEW

Financial aid for foreign students studying in the USA is extremely limited. Also the competition is very keen, more financial aid is available for graduate study and research. Financial aid may come from either public or private institutions or private foundations and organizations. At a graduate level students should apply for admission and financial aid directly to the department, and the department decides who will be accepted and awarded financial assistance. Remember, that many schools want to internationalize their campuses. If a school has no students from Ukraine, or has students from Kyiv but not Lviv, they may be willing to fund such a student to increase diversity (saying "We have students from 50 countries" sounds more impressive than "We have students from 10 countries").

WHOSHOULDAPPLY

Students will have a greater chance of obtaining financial assistance if they:

  • Show evidence of high level of academic achievement;
  • Have high standardized test scores;
  • Demonstrate financial need and/or have private funding to cover some of the cost. Financial need is not crucial for some awards at the graduate level;
  • A field of study or teaching experience in a subject offered at the undergraduate level (opportunities for teaching assistantships);
  • A field of specialization or research interest which parallels those of university's department and faculty or the private funding source (opportunities for research assistantships and grants).

AIDFROMUSUNIVERSITIES

Although availability of financial assistance from university departments varies directly with the field of study, many foreign graduate students finance US education through assistantships. To locate likely sources of aid, first consult the Peterson 's Guide to Graduate and Professional Programs, available in the advising center. General information about the program that you are interested in also includes information on financial aid awarded by the department. Loans or work/study programs are not available to foreign students. Choose several institutions that offer assistantships and consult other references for further information.

FELLOWSHIPS are based on academic merit and generally have no teaching or research obligations. The department normally awards fellowships after the first year of study. Graduate fellowships may be modest, covering only tuition and fees, and monthly cash payments for maintenance. Fellowships do not usually cover the total cost of living and studying.

SCHOLARSHIPS are based on academic merit, generally require no repayment obligation and usually cover full or partial tuition.

ASSISTANTSHIPS are the most common form of financial aid at the graduate level. Assistantships are cash awards which require the performance of services related to the field of study, usually about 20 hours per week. Sometimes an assistantship carries with it a waiver or reduction of tuition. Awards may range from as little as $500 to as much as $17,000 (or effectively higher, if high tuition costs are waived) for an academic year. US income tax must be paid on all forms of graduate financial assistance including assistantships. Competition for all types of assistantships is intense, since only limited numbers are available at any one institution. Foreign applicants financial need is taken into consideration, the most important factor in selection is academic achievement and promise in the field of study. Practically all awards for graduate study are made one year at a time. Renewal is not automatic and depends on your performance and the availability of funds. There are several types of assistantships:

TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS are based on academic qualifications and preference is given to advanced students. In university departments with large numbers of undergraduates in introductory courses, teaching assistantships may be available, even for the first year of graduate study. Teaching assistants work about 20 hours per week. They may supervise undergraduate laboratory classes, lead discussion groups or teach small classes. Students are usually paid a salary or stipend. Increasingly, universities require that teaching assistants pass the Test of Spoken English (TSE) before receiving a teaching assistantship. Often universities require teaching fellows to complete seminars which prepare them to teach in the US educational milieu. If you are interested in applying for a teaching fellowship, mention any previous teaching experience you may have.

RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS are based on academic qualifications and research interests, and are rarely given to first year students. A Research Assistant position involves performance of research services, about 20 hours per week, related to the field of study. The student is usually paid a salary or stipend. Look for institutions that have grants in your field, and match your interests. Professors who are the principal researcher for grants in your area will often single out your application for funding, especially if you have proven research experience.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTSHIPS are based on need and academic qualifications. Some administrative offices of the university, such as the Foreign Student Advising Office, may offer administrative assistantships requiring work of 10-20 hours per week. Apply for these through the Graduate Admissions Office rather than the department.

STRATEGIES FOR APPLICATION;

  • Start early - 18 months to two years is not too soon!
  • Use references to find institutions that closely match your specialty and grant programs or research grants that apply specifically to your field. Do not apply to programs just because they exist but because they match your interests and expertise.
  • Try to take standardized examinations as early as possible. TOEFL and GRE or GMAT are essential.
  • If you have published research, documented music performances, an art portfolio or other evidence of achievement, find a way to submit them as part of your application.
  • Ask your educational adviser to offer suggestions about your application and the documents that should accompany it.
  • Try to do everything that the university requests in its application procedure. If you cannot comply with a request, explain why and suggest alternatives.
  • Emphasize your academic and research achievements, your plans for your academic and research work, and your plans for the future. At the graduate level, the primary reason for awarding financial aid is merit, not need. Be honest and accurate about the level of your need, but place emphasis on your academic promise rather than your need for total funding.
  • The appearance of your application is important. Try to type or print neatly all information requested. Never send copies of letters, but send originals addressed to the appropriate person in the academic department or graduate admissions office.

AIDFROMPRIVATEU.S.SOURCESANDINTERNATIONALORGANIZATIONS

Private U.S. agencies, foundations, business corporations and professional associations may award financial aid in the interest of furthering international exchange. International organizations such as United Nations, the Organization of American Studies and the Institute of International Education are other possible sources of financial aid. Since these institutions are large and complex, address the office indicated. Many foundation awards and grants are directed toward a particular group (e.g. women, irrigation engineers, children of journalists); you must read carefully to see whether you fit into any of the categories. Greater foundation support is usually available for students in the social sciences, humanities and natural sciences. Apply only for awards for which you match the specifications. For applied scientists and engineering there are more opportunities for funding through research grants from university departments due to primary investigations based in universities, than through foundations.

If an application requires that you write a research or project proposal, pay particular attention to this step. If possible, have the proposal checked by a professional in your field who has worked in the United States.

Qualifying for an Award or Grant: To receive funds for research or study in the United States, you must often submit a carefully designed plan for your proposed research. As a rule, your proposal will be competing with those of other excellent scholars. It is not enough to state your qualifications by simply citing your diploma, your position or your experience.

WritingResearchGrantProposalsorApplications; When a department committee or review board looks at research proposals, they compare competing proposals with respect to several criteria:

1) Is the proposed institution appropriate? Does the institution have researchers that will be interested in the project and able to supervise the work? If equipment is necessary, is the right equipment available or are funds available for buying it? Are library or research collection facilities adequate?

2) Does the applicant clearly show the necessary background in education and experience to be able to do the research successfully? Has he/she demonstrated research aptitude? Supporting documents or past papers are helpful.

3) Is the proposal carefully written and neatly presented? The proposal should begin with a clear statement of goals of the intended research project. It should include a summary of background information regarding the need for the research, highlights of related research (with a bibliography), a step-by-step description of the research plan with expected results or major theses, and a conclusion. It should be typed.

4) Is the proposed research significant, timely, and critical? Although creativity, originality and substance are usually the most important criteria in choosing among proposals, disciplines differ. In some fields, such as medicine, proposals that have great promise of practical application may have an advantage.

5) If you are applying for a grant or program that supports development in your country, it may be helpful in your application if you choose a subject for research that can be applied in your work after you return to your home country.

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