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CE Home > Graduate Studies > Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available in the form of fellowships, teaching assistant (TA), and research assistant (RA) positions to both U.S. and international students. A 50 percent appointment, 20 hours per week, includes a stipend, full tuition and health insurance. For the 2007-08 academic year, graduate assistant stipends are approximately $1,600 per month. Although competition is keen, nearly all of our full-time graduate students receive financial aid through the department. Please note that MCE and MGeoE students are not typically awarded financial aid.
You are encouraged to apply about nine months before your planned start of study. Although there are occasionally financial aid opportunities for spring semester admissions, most of the financial aid is awarded to students beginning in fall semester. Therefore, to receive full consideration for financial aid, applications should be submitted by Dec. 31 for admission the following fall. All applicants who request financial aid will be considered for all available TA, RA and fellowship positions.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded to the best applicants in each applicant pool. The awards decisions are made by the Graduate Studies Committee. The department typically awards about 15 fellowships per year from encowment funds and university fellowship dollars.
Teaching assistantships
Teaching assistants assist instructors in a variety of course-related activities, including: setting up and supervising laboratory classes, grading homework assignments and grading exams. University of Minnesota policy requires all non-native English speakers to earn a passing score on the SPEAK test before they can be appointed as teaching assistants.
Research assistantships
Research assistants are supported by grants that have been awarded to faculty members by industry or government agencies for specific research projects. These appointments are arranged between the graduate adviser and the student. The research done for the project can be (and generally is) used to satisfy thesis or dissertation requirements.
Other funding
Beginning in the 2006-07 academic year, the University will be an approved institution for the Engineering the Future program.
Sponsored by several public agencies and private engineering firms, the program prepares students to practice in the municipal water, wastewater, and solid waste management fields. It provides up to $20,000 in funding for master's students in environmental engineering who then agree to work for three years at the program's sponsoring agencies following graduation.
Interested students should apply directly to the program. The application deadline is Dec. 15.
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