Fortunately, many universities depend upon graduate students to help round out undergraduate education and keep teaching costs down. Here are some proven ways to help you save money and graduate.
Apply early and ask for an assistantship
Ever hear of the phrase "professional student"? That's just what you can be with a funded assistantship in your chosen department. Every year, many departments accept a few graduate students as research or teaching assistants who work maybe 15 to 20 each week assisting other professors with their undergraduate classes or with faculty-led research. These positions not only provide excellent experience for future professors and researchers, they also come with a monthly stipend, tuition or fee waivers, and maybe even basic health benefits. Graduate schools across the country have these positions available, so make sure you know when
Apply for financial aid
Check with your university financial aid and scholarship office for dates to have all of your financial aid forms submitted by. If you file for aid after the cut-off date, you may still get some grants and scholarships; however, those students with their paperwork in on-time will be given priority on funds and most likely will get more funding.
Apply for Federal aid and loans
The free application for federal student aid, called FAFSA, can be filled out any time after January 1 for the fall term of that year. You will need to have filed your tax return for the previous year prior to filling out your FAFSA online, so make sure you get your taxes done early. You may also have early deadlines for applying for graduate programs, so make sure you are not missing any important dates.
Apply for outside scholarships
Your campus financial aid and scholarship office may have information on scholarships that are available to graduate students. Start looking for these grants early because deadlines will approach quickly for fall funding. You can also search online for scholarships using search terms pertaining to your field of study. Depending upon your area of research interest, you may also qualify for research grants or fellowships. Ask about these opportunities with your department or the campus graduate studies office.
Apply for a part-time job
Your graduate program may allow you to work a few more hours each week than you're required to work for your assistantship. Find out how many hours of outside work you are permitted to take on, and then start looking for something that will pay well and work with your schedule. Look for jobs on the university campus, the local school district, a community college, private learning centers and city or state government. Your daily newspaper, campus newspaper or campus employment center may be helpful in finding these jobs.
Attending graduate school is an exciting way to further your studies, become an expert in a particular area of studies and set yourself up for a rewarding career. Financing your education should be the least of your worries. If you plan ahead, make sure not to miss any important deadlines and ask questions about the opportunities available, your graduate school years could be less financially painful and more academically rewarding.
