Funding

Assistantships

  • A student on conditional standing is usually not granted an assistantship
  • Students enrolled in the MS program are usually supported on a teaching assistantship for only two semesters. The student is expected to find support on a research assistantship thereafter.
  • Any graduate assistant who fails to maintain satisfactory progress towards the degree for which he/she is registered will lose his/her assistantship. Unsatisfactory progress means falling below a GPA of3.0 or failure to meet other requirements (such as qualifying examinations).
  • Half-time graduate assistants must carry at least 6 semester hours buy may not carry more than 12 during each regular semester. At least 3 hours must be carried each summer.
  • Current teaching assistantship and research assistantship stipends are $1250-$1500/month for MSME students and $1500-$2000/month for PhD students with all tuition, but not fees, waived for half-time assistantships. Non-resident tuition is waived for quarter-time assistantships.
  • Half-time graduate assistants are offered the student health insurance plan with a 60% discount. Spouse and dependents may enroll in the plan, but only the student receives the discount. For more information, go to http://health.uark.edu/billing-insurance/insurance.php

Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships

Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School to Ph.D. students upon nomination by the department head/chair and subsequent approval of the Graduate Dean and the Graduate School Fellowships Advisory Committee. First priority will be given to U.S. citizens and permanent residents and applicants cannot already be enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Arkansas. Deadline for nominations is February 1st.
  • The DDF Fellow receives a 12-month, 50% Graduate Assistantship position provided by the department or by a faculty member within the department from a research grant or contract for a minimum of 4 years.
  • The DDF Fellow receives a monthly stipend commensurate with that of other doctoral graduate assistants within the department and tuition paid by the GRA position.
  • The DDF Fellow receives an additional $22,000/year paid in monthly installments for a maximum of 4 years.
  • The DDF Fellow is required to apply for an NSF grant during their first year, with the assistance of their research advisor, if one is available in their area of study.

Doctoral Academy Fellowships

Doctoral Academy Fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School to Ph.D. students upon nomination of the department head/chair and subsequent approval of the Graduate Dean and the Graduate School Fellowships Advisory Committee. First priority will be given to U.S. citizens and permanent residents and applicants cannot already be enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Arkansas. Highest priority will be given to applicants who apply by February 1st, although DAF applications may be submitted at any time, depending on availability.

  • The DAF Fellow receives a 12-month, 50% Graduate Assistantship position provided by the department or by a faculty member within the department from a research grant or contract for a minimum of 4 years.
  • The DAF Fellow receives a monthly stipend commensurate with that of other doctoral graduate assistants within the department and tuition paid by the GRA position.
  • The DAF Fellow receives an additional $10,000/year paid in monthly installments for a maximum of 4 years.

Other Funding Opportunities

The University offers several fellowship opportunities for graduate education. Information can be found on the financial aid section of the Graduate School website.