Need funding?

Funding for graduate school

Financial assistance for graduate school may be available in the form of grants, loans, fellowships, scholarships, teaching stipends, and employer subsidies, etc.

Take the time to explore all options- you may be able to use multiple sources of funding simultaneously!

Please review this broader overview to funding HERE

Fellowships

Here are a few resources to help you get started on your search for fellowships!

You should also search for fellowships from the graduate school(s) you are applying to.

ProFellow

2,300+ fellowships and fully funded graduate programs

USC Academic Honors and Fellowships Office: USC awards

USC Academic Honors and Fellowships Office: External Fellowship Databases

An amazing and comprehensive list of external fellowships and awards compiled by the USC Academic Honors and Fellowships office. Bookmark this page now!

Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs (doctoral programs)

Grants and scholarships

Financial Aid

Many schools offer their own form of financial aid through their individual school financial aid programs.

Note: For graduate school, parents’ financial information and potential contributions are not included in the FAFSA application process.

Federal Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Federal Student Aid is the largest provider of financial aid for college in the U.S. 

State-based Financial Aid

Eligibility is USUALLY restricted to state residents attending a college in-state.

State and Regional College Tuition Discounts

Some states have programs that allow state residents to attend a university in another state but still pay in-state tuition! Take a look to see if your state has a program of interest on this site.

GI Bill Funding for US Veterans Through VA (Veterans Affairs)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Working in public service, such as government service (federal, U.S. Military, state, local, or tribal) or certain non-profit organizations MAY qualify you for PSLF.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Campus employment

Graduate Assistantships are on-campus jobs that are limited to graduate students. Some might be in the department or lab of your program. Assistantships provide either hourly pay, tuition remission, and/or a stipend.  The amount awarded varies by position. We recommend exploring your potential graduate school’s academic department or employment website for potential employment opportunities.

Common positions include:

  • Graduate Assistant (GA):  Support an array of staffing needs
  • Teaching Assistant (TA):  Usually co-teach introductory undergraduate courses
  • Research Assistant (RA):  Assist in faculty research
  • Jobs in Residential Life/Housing: At some institutions, the department of Residential Life offers jobs that provide tuition benefits, a stipend, free housing, and meal plans, such as a Resident Advisor, RA Supervisor, or front desk attendant.

Additional options: Paid campus jobs, paid internships, summer teaching opportunities, and paid research assistantships might be other ways to supplement your funding.

Note: Some employers provide subsidies to support their employees attain a graduate degree either part-or full time.