Costs and Financial Assistance

The Economics Graduate Program offers financial awards to qualified doctoral students in the form of teaching assistantships and research assistantships. Awards are merit-based, determined by an applicant's academic history and predicted success in the program.  We do not fund masters students.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR ASSISTANTSHIPS/FELLOWSHIPS:

To be considered for financial aid, you must submit your completed application for graduate study to the Graduate School by February 1. There is no separate application for departmental assistantships. You need only indicate your preference to be considered for these awards on your graduate school application.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching Assistantships consist of helping faculty in grading student assignments and examinations and leading discussion sections for economics principles classes. These assistantships carry a stipend of $14,000 for the 9-month academic year.

Research Assistantships

Research Assistantships are also available in the areas of agricultural and resource economics. These assistantships require the student to work with faculty on designated research projects and offer stipends of $18,000 for the fiscal year. Additional research assistantships supported by faculty grant moneys are available to advanced students as they begin dissertation research.

Fellowships and Awards

A small number of fellowships are available to support students with research interests in specific areas; most often the fellowships are geared toward students with interests in agricultural and resource areas of economics. Most notable of these is the USDA National Needs Fellowship.  There are also University funded, merit-based, fellowships available for exceptionally well-qualified first-year students. Again, these fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis.  In the past, our students have been regular recipients of the prestigous Andrews Doctoral Fellowship, University Provost’s Fellowship, University Graduate Research Fellowship, and Ward Fellowship.

Graduate Student Support Plan

Students receiving assistantships and fellowships are also eligible for the Graduate Student Support Plan (GSSP). The Graduate Student Support Plan is a highly competitive support package that provides health insurance and payment of tuition.

Lectureships

Students at the dissertation stage who are interested in pursuing a career in academia may qualify for lecturerships. These pay higher stipends and give students experience in teaching basic undergraduate courses.

International Applicants

International students are eligible to be considered for assistantship or fellowship awards. In the case of non-native English speaking students, we give strong preference to those who have at least one year of academic experience at a North American university.

Student Fees

Students are required to pay their own student fees. View current rates at the university cashier's website.