I’ve gotten this question quite a few times as well. This answer can be tricky, depending on if you’re a domestic or international student.

Domestic – *Usually only awarded to PhD candidates

  • Commonwealth (that’s me!) – Each year, the School receives “Commonwealth Funds,” which are earmarked to support graduate students from underrepresented groups who are U.S. citizens or U.S. immigrants/permanent residents. This program offers both tuition and stipend support for three semesters, as part of this 10-15 hour/week assistantship. Commonwealth-supported students will assist with student recruiting, recruiting and community-building events, and the School’s diversity program.
  • Scholarship For Service (SFS) – Students receive full tuition and books, health insurance benefits, a stipend, conference travel support, and a paid summer internship. SFS scholars are restricted to studying the Information Assurance (security) track and must work for a federal agency for at least two years upon graduation.
  • Teaching Fellow
  • Graduate Student Assistant/Graduate Student Research* – GSAs and GSRs receive remission of half or full tuition plus a stipend for a 10 or 20-hour workly assignment in the School. GSAs may be assigned to work with one or more faculty members or to work in the iSchool Labs. GSRs are assigned to work on research projects.
  • Outside scholarships. Here’s to name a few:

International – *Usually only awarded to PhD candidates

  • Outside Funding – Depending on the country you live in, there might be grants and scholarships for international study. These could be government or private funding opportunities. There are plenty of websites!
  • Teaching Fellow*
  • Graduate Student Assistant/Graduate Student Research* – GSAs and GSRs receive remission of half or full tuition plus a stipend for a 10 or 20-hour workly assignment in the School. GSAs may be assigned to work with one or more faculty members or to work in the iSchool Labs. GSRs are assigned to work on research projects.

On the website it says that all international students are expected to come fully funded for their entire degree program and any advanced study they may do in a certificate program or in a second degree program. Scholarships and/or assistantships are, in rare cases, awarded to international students based on availability of scholarship funds, faculty members’ research funds, etc.

It wouldn’t hurt to try applying for scholarships, even if you might not get them. Also, talking to faculty about research opportunities might be helpful if you think you are really experienced and can really contribute to a lab.

Visit this website for more information!