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Funding Support for Graduate Study

All students admitted to the Human Development and Family Studies doctoral program who maintain good standing in the program are guaranteed funding for a minimum of four years. Historically, the department has been able to continue to provide the same level of support for students beyond four years, provided that they remain in residence and continue making appropriate progress toward their degree. The standard departmental graduate assistantship includes tuition for a full-time graduate student, 10-month stipend, and insurance subsidy.

Teaching Assistantships icon-olus-circle

Full-time graduate assistantships represent a half-time appointment, which corresponds to a 20 hour-per-week commitment to assistantship duties. The departmental assistantships are offered in the form of teaching assistantships. Full time TA responsibilities may be assigned as 20 hours per week to one course, or distributed across two courses at 10 hours per week each. The assistantship includes tuition for a full-time graduate student, 10-month stipend, and insurance subsidy. 

Research Assistantships icon-olus-circle

Full-time graduate assistantships represent a half-time appointment, which corresponds to a 20 hour-per-week commitment to assistantship duties. Faculty who have research grants are able to fund students in the form of a research assistantship. The assistantship includes tuition for a full-time graduate student, 10-month stipend, and insurance subsidy. 

Split Teaching and Research Assistantships icon-olus-circle

Full-time graduate assistantships represent a half-time appointment, which corresponds to a 20 hour-per-week commitment to assistantship duties. It is possible that faculty may hire a student for 10 hours (quarter-time), and the student is supplemented with a 10-hour (quarter-time) teaching assistantship. The assistantship includes tuition for a full-time graduate student, 10-month stipend, and insurance subsidy. 

Fellowships icon-olus-circle

The University and the College of Health and Human Development have a variety of fellowships and scholarships available for incoming graduate students. The department applies for these opportunities on behalf of the students offered admission. The fellowship includes tuition for a full-time graduate student, 10-month stipend, and insurance subsidy. HDFS is awarded on average at least two fellowships per year. International students are eligible for these fellowships.

Traineeships icon-olus-circle

Full-time graduate students in their second year and beyond are eligible to apply for traineeships, which correspond to a 20 hour-per-week commitment. The traineeship includes tuition for a full-time graduate student, 12-month stipend, and insurance subsidy. Students can ask their advisor about training opportunities in their field of study and how to apply. International students are eligible for some traineeships.

Summer Funding icon-olus-circle

Students also have the opportunity to receive funding during the summer months of June and July.  Summer funding is available through multiple routes, the most common of which is support to conduct research from either an advisor or another faculty-run project. The department has some positions available during the summer in both teaching and administrative support. 

Financial Resources for Professional Development and Research icon-olus-circle

All HDFS students are eligible to apply annually for supporting expenses such as conference registration and travel costs, workshops, and research-related services or expenses.