
	The Graduate School at the University of Notre Dame blends a rich teaching heritage with the strengths of a premier research institution.

Financial Support

Graduate students generally receive full-tuition scholarships for the duration of their graduate studies. Doctoral students in academic good standing are guaranteed multi-year assistantships or fellowships with yearly stipends ranging from $1,300 to $2,000 per month for nine or 12 months, depending on academic discipline.

Some programs that offer only master's degrees have limited funds for stipends, but others adopt the doctoral model of full-tuition and stipend support for their students.

Peter Diffley, former associate dean for financial resources in The Graduate School, and Joseph Russo, Director of Student Financial Services, have co-authored a book using their years of experience entitled Paying For Graduate School Without Going Broke. The 194 page text was edited by Princeton Review and published by Random House.

> Buy the book from Amazon.com (new window).

Opportunities for Financial Support

1. Tuition scholarships

For the 2008-09 academic year, that award is $36,234. You do not have to work for this scholarship and you do not have to pay it back. Because the scholarship has no service requirement, it is not considered (taxable) income. Fees other than technology and health center fee waivers are not generally included in the scholarship gift and may be the responsibility of the student.

Learn More About Tuition and Fees

2. Stipends

There are three major ways you can earn a student stipend: by teaching for a department, by doing research with and for a faculty member, or by receiving a fellowship. The stipend amount awarded to full-time students will vary, depending on intended degree and field and years of enrollment.

Learn More About Stipends

Descriptions of Graduate/Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships, Fellowships and Campus Employment

To apply for teaching or research assistantships, request consideration for financial aid on your application.

3. Money for research and professional development

The ND Graduate School maintains a student grant and fellowship database of research and travel sponsors who provide additional funding for related research expenses. A brief snapshot of the Zahm Research Travel Grant and the Downes Memorial Fund are also available on this site.

Your department may also have some money available for professional development, and the Graduate Student Union has a travel grant program for students presenting their research at professional meetings.

4. Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)

Graduate students may borrow up to $20,500 annually from the Federal Stafford Loan program ($8,500 annual subsidized maximum and $20,500 minus the subsidized Stafford Loan amount is the unsubsidized maximum). Federal Stafford interest rates for 2008/2009 are fixed at 6.8%.

Graduate students may also apply for the Graduate/Professional PLUS Loan. The graduate/professional student must complete the FAFSA and receive a determination of Federal Stafford Loan eligibility by the Office of Financial Aid.

Students who want to apply for the Federal loan programs must annually complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Notre Dame's Federal School Code is 001840. To minimize application mistakes and processing time, we encourage you to use the online application (new window).

For more information regarding these opportunities and others, please visit http://financialaid.nd.edu/.