payments for phd students

• PhD Degree Funding

Harvard guarantees full financial support to PhD students—including tuition, health fees, and basic living expenses—for a minimum of five years.

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Harvard's financial support package is typically for the first four years of study and the completion year, using a tiered  tuition structure that reduces tuition over time as students progress through their degree programs. This multiyear funding package includes a combination of tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments. In addition, Harvard Griffin GSAS students are particularly successful in securing grants,  fellowships , and other sources of external funding as part of their professional development.

The standard funding package includes:

• grant toward tuition and fees—paid in full for years 1 through 4, plus the dissertation completion year, with a partially subsidized dental plan option available
• living expense stipend during years 1 and 2
• a combination of stipend, teaching fellowships, and/or research assistantships during years 3 and 4
• if noted in your Notice of Financial Support, summer research funding following the first four academic years from Harvard Griffin GSAS or faculty grants
• stipend and/or research support during the completion year.

In some programs, the timing and structure of living expense support may vary from this pattern. For example, students in the sciences typically receive full funding until they complete their degrees.

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Graduate School Financial Aid Awards, Loans, Reimbursements and Alternative Methods to Fund an Advanced Degree

Prospective graduate students often feel overwhelmed by the process of applying to graduate school, and finding ways to lessen the financial burden can be stressful, leaving many opting to fund their program with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans . This comprehensive resource center highlights a multitude of financial aid opportunities available to graduate students. Explore multiple guides to learn about various funding opportunities including ideas for crowdfunding and frugal living, expert insight on crafting a strong essay, hundreds of scholarships, and tips for completing a degree on a budget.

• Graduate Financial Aid
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• What Does a PhD Cost?
• 10 Advantages To Pursuing An Advanced Degree

WHAT TYPE OF GRADUATE FINANCIAL AID IS BEST FOR YOU?

Today’s students have access to a wide spectrum of funding options, some of which will suit their individual needs better than others. While some degree paths are heavily focused on fellowship and research grant opportunities, others may offer employer assisted tuition programs or military benefits. Similarly, funding options for students at the masters versus doctorate levels may also vary.

Determine what financial aid options may best suit your needs in the guide options below.

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Search hundreds of scholarships and funding options offered on the basis of degree area and level, academic merit, career path, background, and special interest.

Find out-of-the-box funding options including crowdfunding, assistantships, military benefits and ways to accelerate your degree program in this guide.

As advanced degrees rise in popularity, many employers now see the benefit of empowering their workforce to undertake further education. Whether offered as tuition assistance programs or salary advancements, this guide provides tips on navigating the conversation.

Discover the differences between federal and private loans, review loan forgiveness programs and various repayment plans.

Doctoral students typically have more specialized funding options available, ranging from research roles to teaching opportunities. Learn about these and more in this guide.

During the most recent academic year, public and private master’s degrees averaged $26,288 and $61,104, respectively. As the rising cost of education outpaces economic growth, many students are realizing their dreams of further education will only be possible if alternate methods of funding can be secured.

GRADUATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP DATABASE

Finding funding, while time consuming, doesn’t have to be an arduous or disheartening process. Though top scholarship and fellowship programs are highly competitive, innumerable options are available for students of all different backgrounds and interests.

For students who are able to blend a mix of personal funds, scholarships and grants to avoid significant amounts of debt, graduate school is a significant step toward growing their careers.

A 2013 study by the National Center for Education Statistics found that individuals with a master’s degree earned 23 percent more than their bachelor’s level peers. Aside from long-term earning potential, a postgraduate degree also opens doors to expanded career options, advanced skill sets, and teaching or research positions.

Aside from general and degree-specific scholarships, countless specialized grants are available to students of varied backgrounds and interests. The following databases have been compiled to help students find a scholarship created with them in mind.

With 2015 estimates of tuition and fees for an MBA topping out at $140,000 – not to mention lost income – scholarships for this degree can make a significant dent in overall debt. Whether offered by a private foundation or for-profit company, MBA students typically have many scholarships available to them, provided they know where to look.

• MBA Graduate Scholarships
• MBA Scholarships for Women
• MBA Graduate Scholarships for Minorities
• MBA Graduate Scholarships for Military/Veterans

Business school graduate students can find a wide variety of scholarships available, many that are offered by foundations, associations, donors and businesses. They can be applied to annual tuition, as well as related fees, including technology and books. Search dozens of scholarships for an MBA degree programs.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Daniel B. Goldberg Scholarship

Awarded to a full-time graduate student who is pursuing an advanced degree and intends a career in state or local government finance.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship

For full- or part-time upper division or graduate students studying in one of several finance-related areas including business administration, and who belong to one of a number of minority groups.

Women are often the most underrepresented group in business and MBA programs, according to research from the Graduate Management Council. Earning an MBA can lead to significant career advancement in leadership and business endeavors. Find a variety of scholarships and grants specifically tailored for women MBA students.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Career Development Grants

Grants made to provide assistance to women making a change of career, seeking advancement in a current career or reentering the workforce.

Chicana / Latina Foundation Scholarship Program

Offered to women of Chicana/Latina heritage who are enrolled in a college or university program in one of 13 Northern California counties.

Samuel Schulman Memorial Scholarship

Applicant must be a single mother entering or continuing in school to earn a marketable skill. Must be a resident and attending a college or university in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange or Riverside counties in California.

For minority groups, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics and American Indians/Alaskan Natives/Pacific Islanders, pursuing an MBA can lead to increased diversification in the business world. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities specifically created to help these groups fund and achieve their MBA.

National Black MBA Association Graduate Scholarship

For students pursuing careers in business, academia and related professions. Must be a member of the NBMBAA to be eligible.

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

Merit-based award that supports 30 students annually. Must be child of naturalized citizens or be a permanent resident or naturalized citizen on his or her own.

Kosciuszko Foundation Tuition Scholarships

Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Polish descent and a graduate student at a college or university in the United States. Available to full-time student only.

Active military service members and veterans alike can utilize various MBA funding opportunities, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and the Montgomery GI Bill®. Additionally, scholarship and grant options are available to help advance an active duty members transition to a civilian employment path. Find more information about military scholarships in the following MBA scholarships.

* GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ .

PNC-SVA “Serving with Integrity” Scholarship

Open to individuals who have been honorably discharged from Active Duty military service or currently serving in Guard or Reserve. Sponsored by the Student Veterans of America and PNC Bank.

SVA-NBC Universal Scholarship

Sponsored by Comcast/NBC Universal and the Student Veterans of America. Open to veterans pursuing a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university. Requires completion of an essay.

Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program

Applicant must be a woman, or child of a woman, who is currently serving or has served honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.

Female students currently account for 53 percent of the national student body, yet they remain underrepresented in numerous key areas. Funders and foundations alike are stepping up to the plate to provide financial incentives to women entering traditionally male-dominated fields. In addition to areas related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics, women can find scholarships for almost any topic of interest with this resource.

• WOMEN GENERAL
• WOMEN NURSING, PHYSICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
• WOMEN SOCIAL WORK
• WOMEN EDUCATION

Innumerable opportunities are available to help support women’s career and academic pursuits in graduate school. Many scholarships and grants will help offset school costs, such as tuition, books and fees, as well as provide advancement in various fields. Explore what scholarships are available to women graduates.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Dissertation Fellowships

Graduate school funding for women preparing to complete dissertations, full-time post-doctorial research, and/or research for a publication project. The dissertation fellowship can cover any or all of the following: education and living expenses, including childcare; research assistants and equipment; travel for field research and conferences.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Postdoctral Research Leave Fellowship

Postdoctoral funding for women engaged full-time in the completion of a dissertation, and post-doctoral institutional research or research for publication. The postdoctoral fellowship can be used to purchase equipment, hire research assistants, pay for publication costs, and cover living and childcare expenses.

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Summer/Short-Term Research Publication Grants

An 8-week grant for graduate scholars engaged in independent research for publication and preparing research for publication. Grant money can cover living expense, research assistants, clerical and non-technical support, office supplies, and journal fees.

A Masters in Business Administration (MBA) can help many women achieve their goals in the business world, including leadership, entrepreneurship, and executive areas of business. Learn more about the variety of funding options available to women MBA students below.

Ada I. Pressman Memorial Scholarships

Open to women undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing degrees in all areas of engineering, including construction, chemical, computer, mechanical, and marine/oceanographic engineering. This scholarship is renewable for up to five years.

Sponsoring Organization: Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

AAUW Selected Professional Fellowships, Science and Technology Group

Aimed at supporting women entering graduate work in disciplines in which women have traditionally been underrepresented, including master’s programs in architecture, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and statistics. Covers education and living expenses, including travel to professional meetings and conferences.

Sponsoring Organization: American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Amelia Earhart Fellowships

The 35 Amelia Earhart Fellowships overseen by Zonta International are awarded annually to women pursuing doctoral degrees in aerospace science and aerospace engineering fields. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a qualifying PhD program, and the fellowships do not cover post-doctoral research.

Sponsoring Organization: Zonta International

Women have often been underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries. However, in recent years, these industries have sought to increase the number of women professionals, and today, many scholarship and grant opportunities are available to help women achieve their STEM graduate school goals.

AAUW Selected Professional Focus Professions Group Fellowships

Fellowship grants that provide education and living expense to minority women pursuing graduate studies, specifically African-Americans, Mexican Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. Targeted at graduate-level study in fields in which these groups have been historically underrepresented, including MBA programs (second year of study only); JD in law (third year of study only); and MD or DO in medicine (third or fourth year of study).

Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship Program

The Chicana/Latina Foundation is a regional organization serving Northern California. It awards merit-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate schooling for students of Chicana/Latina heritage in designated counties of California.

From biology and anatomy to chemistry and nursing, women can increase their expertise by achieving a graduate degree. Find dozens of funding opportunities specifically for women seeking to complete a degree program in nursing and the physical and life sciences.

Nursing and Healthcare AACN Scholarships

AACN scholarships are targeted to further the continuing education and specialization goals of active registered nurses pursuing further graduate studies. They can cover up to $3,000 in tuition costs and other expenses, including up to $750 for travel.

Sponsoring Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

AfterCollege/AACN Scholarships

A joint venture between the AACN and AfterCollege, this scholarship offers awards of $2,500 quarterly to graduate students in nursing programs, particularly those who are on track to become a nurse educator. Applicants must be members of the AACN.

Thompson Scholarship for Women in Safety

Awarded by the ASSE to women pursuing a graduate degree in fields related to occupational safety management and engineering, including occupational health nursing and medicine, fire and environmental safety, and industrial risk management.

Sponsoring Organization: American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE)

For women interested in advancing their education in counseling, public health, psychology or social work, there are a variety of tailored financial aid opportunities including scholarships and grants. Learn more about the specific options available to prospective women graduates in these degree programs.

Social Work Scholarships American Cancer Society Health Professional Training Grants

The ACS targets one of its grants for Health Professional Training at second-year master’s degree students in clinical oncology social work. The grant covers two years of graduate training.

Sponsoring Organization: American Cancer Society (ACS)

American Society on Aging Graduate Student Research Award

The ASA’s Graduate Student Research Award is given to a student who is nominated by an ASA member for graduate research in the field of aging, including clinical social-work research in this area. Applicants must have a faculty sponsor and a fully formed research project ready to undertake.

Carol A. Sarchet Scholarship

This scholarship is open to students in the CSU Schools of Social Work; Education; Occupational Therapy; Human Development & Family Studies; Food Science & Human Nutrition; Family & Consumer Sciences; or Design & Merchandising. Candidates must be first generation students, and preference is given to those raised in foster or kinship care.

Sponsoring Organization: Colorado State University

The high and increasing demand for educators, from early to special education, has provided a vast array of special funding opportunities for women seeking an education graduate degree. Explore dozens of scholarship opportunities available to women pursuing a graduate degree in education.

Renshaw Fellowship

Doctoral students or applicants to doctoral programs in education who are members of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute can apply for the Renshaw Fellowship, which is targeted at individuals aiming to teach at the college level or to work as a superintendent or administrator/researcher in the field of curriculum development.

Sponsoring Organization: Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ICI)

Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers

Future high-school physics teachers can apply for a $2,000 scholarship from the AAPT. These scholarships are available to students pursuing a teaching certificate at the undergraduate and graduate school levels.

Sponsoring Organization: American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)

American Chemical Society (ACS)-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship

Administered by the American Chemical Society, the ACS-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship is aimed at chemistry majors and professionals in the chemistry field who are pursuing a master’s in education with the intention of teaching chemistry. Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and at least one year of experience working in a professional capacity. For those who have not spent at least a year working in a field related to chemistry, there is an ACS-Hach Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship

Although 62 percent of military veterans are first-generation college students, the number of retired military learners is set to soar. As of 2013, more than one million veterans were taking advantage of GI benefits to pursue their educations, and this number is expected to increase by 20 percent in the coming years. Given that 85 percent of veteran students are considered nontraditional, this resource provides crucial awareness of scholarships that aren’t exclusively focused on high school seniors.

• General Scholarships for Military Veterans
• Disabled War Veterans
• Spouses and Dependents of Military Veterans

There are numerous options for military veterans seeking graduate school financial aid assistance. From government-funded programs to countless scholarship opportunities, veterans can find funding to help offset the cost of graduate school.

Google SVA Scholarship

Candidate must be an Active Duty or veteran student currently enrolled in or accepted to a college degree program in computer science, computer engineering or closely-related subject.

Anne Gannett Award for Veterans

For veterans who are former music students who interrupted their education to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and wish to resume music study in pursuit of a music career.

Army Nurse Corps Association (ANCA) Scholarship

Offered to those currently serving or honorably discharged veterans of a U.S. Army component (Army, National Guard or Reserve) who is currently enrolled in a nursing or nurse anesthesia undergraduate or graduate program. Must not be currently receiving from a U.S. Army component (GI Bill benefits or ROTC scholarship.)

Multiple scholarships and grants are available to disabled war veterans, such as those who were injured during combat in Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom. Funding opportunities like these, and many more, are available to assist and offset disabled war veterans’ graduate school costs.

American Airlines Veteran’s Initiative Scholarship

Military veterans who are pursuing aviation or aeronautical education or training are eligible. Personal factors considered include achievements, teamwork, leadership skills, motivation, and community service involvement.

Colorado Technical University Wounded Warrior Scholarship

Open to U.S Armed Forces (including National Guard and Reserve) Active Duty members or veterans currently receiving medical treatment for injuries (over 30 percent) suffered in the line of duty.

New York State Military Enhanced Recognition Incentive and Tribute – MERIT Scholarship

Available to members of the U.S. Armed Forces at any time on or after August 2, 1990 and who became severely and permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness suffered or incurred in combat or during training for combat. Must be New York State resident attending a postsecondary institution in New York State. Also open to spouses, children, and other financial dependents.

While families of military veterans may have not served in the military, they often have helped support the military and its members. In respect of the spouses and dependents of military veterans, many scholarship and grant opportunities are available to them for graduate school, such as the AMVETS National Scholarship Program and Leadership Through Action – Tillman Military Scholars program.

Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Non-Member Scholarships

These scholarships are open to U.S. Navy, Marine and Coast Guard personnel and veterans, as well as their spouses, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Does not require FRA membership.

Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) Member Scholarships

These FRA-sponsored scholarships are open to spouses, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of current FRA members in good standing. FRA membership requires an affiliation with the U.S. Navy, Marines or Coast Guard. A number of these awards give preference to post-graduate students.

506th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association Scholarships

Family member applicants must be a child, grandchild, sibling or spouse of a veteran who served with the 506th Airborne. Factors considered include the applicant’s overall academic excellence, financial need and quality of the chosen postsecondary institution.

This growing area of funding is set to expand exponentially as more educational institutions, foundations, companies, and individuals begin earmarking scholarships for this community. Options are expansive, ranging from grants to students pursuing gender topics to students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ). Many of these funding options are also available to individuals who are considered allies of the LGBTQ community.

• PHYSICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES
• SOCIAL SCIENCES

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals pursuing graduate degrees in the arts – theater, photography, fine and graphic arts – can find a variety of financial aid options to help them fund their schooling. Learn more about the variety of scholarships available to LGBTQ graduate art students.

Bill Bendiner and Doug Morgenson Scholarship

Sponsored by the Pride Foundation and open to residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, but may apply funds for study elsewhere. Open to LGBTQ identifying students pursuing a career in human services, health sciences, or the visual arts.

Bill McKnight Legacy Scholarship

Available to Arts and Humanities students in the queer community. Sponsored by the Pride Foundation and open to residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, but may apply funds for study elsewhere. Preference given to residents of Kitsap County/Bainbridge Island, Washington.

Gregori Jakovina Endowment Scholarship

Candidate must be LGBT or child of a LGBT parent, a resident of Oregon or Clark County, Washington, and pursuing a career in the arts.

LGBTQ students seeking a degree in a scientific discipline — such as chemistry, geology, physics, engineering, and biology — can find a wide variety of funding options for graduate school. Explore the many scholarship opportunities available to physical and life science LGBTQ graduate students.

Women in Medicine Leadership Scholarships

Four scholarships awarded to women studying at allopathic or osteopathic medical schools in the U.S. or Canada. Factors considered include academic standing and contributed/demonstrated leadership in the LGBTQ community.

AfterCollege STEM Inclusion Scholarship

Eligibility to students currently working toward a STEM-related degree from a group underrepresented in their field of study, including groups defined by sexual orientation.

National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) Out to Innovate Scholarship for LGBTQ+ Students in STEM

Must be declared major in accredited STEM or STEM-related teaching field and an active supporter of and participant in programs or organizations promoting LGBTQ inclusion and visibility.

The social sciences examine various aspects of the human experience, including society, culture and economy. There are various scholarship and grant options for LGBTQ-individuals wishing to pursue a social science graduate degree.

Alexander G. Gray, Jr., Scholarship Fund

Applicant must be enrolled at a law school in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar.

Kay Longcope Scholarship Award

Applicants must be an LGBT individual of color planning to pursue a career in journalism and be able to demonstrate their passion and commitment to the profession. Selection based on journalistic and scholastic ability. Applicants also must demonstrate an awareness of the issues facing the LGBT community and the importance of fair and accurate news coverage.

Leroy F. Aarons Scholarship Award

Must be enrolled in a journalism program. Selection based on journalistic and scholastic ability. Applicants also must demonstrate an awareness of the issues facing the LGBT community and the importance of fair and accurate news coverage.

Becoming a leader in the LGBTQ community can be supported with an advanced degree in various community and advocacy-related graduate degree programs. Find a vast array of scholarship and grant opportunities available to LGBTQ-individuals who demonstrate active community roles, or a desire to lead in their communities in the near future.

American Atheists Chinn Scholarships

Must be an atheist and self-identify as gay or lesbian, or have a demonstrated commitment to LGBT rights and equality.

Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community (APIQWTC) Scholarship

Awarded to Asian/Pacific Islander lesbian, bisexual, or queer women or transgender individuals pursuing technical/professional training or an undergraduate/graduate degree.

FINANCING YOUR FUTURE: STUDENT LOANS

Students typically pursue a blend of funding options, incorporating scholarships and grants alongside any necessary loans. The following section will review loan options and provide helpful tips on how to navigate common steps, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ).

While private loans are available, the vast majority of student financial aid experts strongly recommend taking full advantage of federal loans before considering those offered by lending agencies and banks. This is due in part to lower and more stable interest rates, but also because private loans generally don’t offer the same flexible repayment plans as federal lenders.

To qualify for federal loans, all students – regardless of their educational level – must fill out the FAFSA ® every year they are enrolled in a degree program. This document, which is based on either the student’s or their parent’s financial information, assesses income levels to predict the amount of funding available via federal grants and loans.

Students who used federal funds during baccalaureate studies will be familiar with the process, although there are a few different options available for advanced degrees. Some of the most common questions associated with completing the FAFSA ® and taking on student loans include:

Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at the first of the new year. Students should aim to have all documents ready so they can apply as soon as the new calendar year starts.

If a student is applying as a dependent, they’ll need their parent’s financial records. As an independent, they’ll need their own financial documents along with their social security and driver’s license numbers, investment records, bank statements, federal tax records, documentation of untaxed income, and their federal student aid PIN number provided by the U.S. Department of Education.

Each of the main federal student loans have different lending amounts; for instance, the Perkins loan allows graduate students to borrow up to $8,500 per year, while the maximum amount for the Stafford loan is based on the current year of education.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of going back to school and not fully consider the implications of taking on debt. While some loan repayment plans begin while students are still in school, the majority will start once a student has graduated. Students should be considering their next moves – be they further education or entering the workforce – before completing their degree. Students who pay toward their loans faithfully each month can use this time to help build good credit for future significant purchases, but those who fall behind may find themselves penalized when it comes time to purchase their first house or make other big buys.

Students should ensure they understand all of the terms and conditions before signing the dotted line for any loan. While the goal will always be to land a top job immediately after graduation, understanding options for deferment, forbearance, loan forgiveness, and alternate repayment plans can help alleviate a lot of anxiety and avoid negative credit scores if it takes a while to start repaying student debt.

Students who did not take advantage of federal funds during their undergraduate degree will also need to complete an entrance loan counseling session and sign the complete master promissory note before funds are disbursed.

When used knowledgeably, federal student loans can be a helpful addition to a student’s funding bundle. Aside from making the difference in whether or not a student is able to complete graduate school, they also remove many of the pressures of private loans. Our Student Loan and Graduate School guide provides details on these topics and more to consider when plotting out graduate school funds.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO PAY FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL

Aside from traditional funding routes such as scholarships or loans, today’s students can utilize numerous innovative methods of paying for their graduate degrees. The Alternate Ways to Pay for Grad School guide highlights inventive ways to lessen the financial burden, including crowdfunding, employer tuition assistance programs, teaching or research assistantships, and general ideas about frugal living while in school.

These thrifty tips give students a weeklong glimpse of some cost cutting ideas.

Gasoline is cheapest on Sunday, so scheduling a fuel up for this day will save a few pennies per gallon. Lots of electronics stores will also have special flash sales on Sunday, so a trip to the local Best Buy may be in order for students in need of a tablet, laptop or other study aid.

Students who enjoy doing a lot of their shopping online can take advantage of the best sales on this day, ranging from clothing and electronics to textbooks and household items. Some websites will also allow users to sign up for notifications when new items go on sale.

Research has shown the best day for booking a flight is Tuesday, while they tend to be marked up on weekends. The day is also perfect for eating out, with the largest number of happy hours and meal deals being offered on the second day of the workweek.

Daily Finance found that hump day is the best for weekly grocery shopping. Not only do more than half of all stores start their sales on this day, they’ll often honor the previous week’s sales as well. As a bonus, if meat counters, bakeries, or prepared food counters have food nearing the end of its shelf life, this is the most common day for scoring a bargain.

Thinking about buying new clothes? Research has shown that a lot of shops and department stores mark down items on Wednesday evenings, making Thursday the perfect day to snag a good deal before items get picked over.

While the majority of yard and garage sales take place on weekends, sometimes sellers will have a preview or early bird sale on Friday. Students with nontraditional schedules that can take advantage of being one of the first on the scene can often find excellent bargains on items that typically get scooped up quickly.

Although many assume that retailers aren’t shy about charging full prices over the weekend, there are still plenty of bargains buys to be found. Clothing stores in particular are known to have some of the best sales on this day of the week.

Lots of resale shops and thrift stores will have sales based on items with same colored tag all being discounted on different days of the week.

These helpful hints are only the tip of the iceberg; further ideas for saving money while not feeling deprived can be found in the Alternate Ways to Pay for Grad School guide.

Train people well enough so they can leave, but treat them well enough so they don’t want to.

GET YOUR COMPANY TO FUND GRADUATE SCHOOL

One guiding principle many business leaders believe is that employers should help fund graduate programs — it can impart a sense of gratitude in employees and provides a more skilled workforce to companies. Numerous national organizations have tuition assistance programs in place already, but it’s always worth asking your current employers if an agreement could be made.

In many cases, companies will supplement educational costs in return for a commitment to stay with the organization for a set number of years after a degree is completed.

These are some of the best companies offering tuition reimbursement programs in the U.S. today:

Bank of America

PROGRAM: Tuition Reimbursement

BOA provides tuition assistance for employees seeking to complete graduate level classes, provided they are in some way related to their area of work.

PROGRAM: Graduate School Assistance Program

Deloitte offers its employees generous benefits, allowing them to attend graduate school and move into Senior Consultant roles upon graduation. After two years of post-college employment, workers receive full tuition reimbursement. They are also given a technology stipend during their education to help purchase necessary computer-related items.

PROGRAM: Educational Assistance Program

Employees completing approved classes and programs relevant to their positions at Raytheon can apply for their educational assistance program, provided they are employed full-time.

PROGRAM: Tuition Reimbursement Program

In addition to other great benefits, Google employees who maintain A’s and B’s through their educations qualify for the company’s tuition reimbursement program.

PROGRAM: Educational Assistance

Employees of BP can take advantage of the company’s generous tuition assistance program, provided they’re enrolled in courses relevant to their area of work and achieve passing grades.

PROGRAM: Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Microsoft is known for placing great importance on furthering the knowledge and skill sets of its employees, and the company provides assistance for both tuition and textbook costs.

J.M. Smucker Company

PROGRAM: Financial Well Being Program

Smucker’s takes great pride in providing holistic care for their employees, and this includes a generous reimbursement program providing up to 100 percent of the costs for all approved coursework.

PROGRAM: Career Development and Training

Chevron takes a wide lens view when it comes to employees reaching their potential and continuing their educations. In addition to tuition reimbursement, the company also offers internal training, mentoring programs, and opportunities for professional development.

PROGRAM: College Achievement Plan (CAP)

70 percent of Starbucks employees are students or aspire to attend college, and the organization is focused on making that possible. The company recently partnered with Arizona State University to provide assistance to part and full-time employees undertaking online education.

To learn about additional companies providing tuition benefits, or to find tips on convincing your boss to provide educational assistance, check out the guide, Expert Guidance and Strategies for Company Tuition Reimbursement.

WHAT DOES A PHD COST?

The actual costs associated with obtaining a PhD can vary wildly based on the subject area, type of school, and institutional assistance available. The following section helps interested doctoral candidates learn about all the costs associated with working toward an education at this level.

Students have innumerable reasons for pursuing a doctoral degree, ranging from higher salaries to career requirements. In many academic or STEM-related fields, individuals may not be able to fully participate in their field without obtaining the highest level of degree available. Yet PhD programs can also cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving cash-strapped students wondering if it’s practical to complete another degree.

BREAKING IT DOWN

Before enrolling in a program, students should have a thorough understanding of all the costs associated with committing to a further degree.

The cost of a PhD can vary significantly depending on whether the institution is public or private, and which degree path the student intends on pursuing. For in-state students at state colleges, tuition is typically between $7,000 to $10,000 annually, while students at private universities can expect to pay between $30,000 to $50,000 each year.

The cost of rent represents a wide spectrum across the U.S. Birmingham topped the 2015 list for affordable cities, averaging $949 for a two bedroom. Conversely, a two bedroom in San Francisco, the most costly city for renters, tops out at $3,650 per month.

According to a living wage calculator provided by MIT, single adult students will spend just over $1,000 per month on average for living costs, including food, medical coverage, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. These numbers are also likely to fluctuate based on their location

Costs for books and additional fees are often wholly based on a student’s degree. While science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related paths tend to have more intensive fees for laboratory use and materials, humanities courses may require substantially more books. On average, books and fees combined cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per academic year.

Research for doctoral level dissertations or projects is typically extensive, requiring students to spend hundreds of hours poring over materials. Depending on the area of study, this could either mean being able to access materials via a short car ride or spending several months in a foreign country. While these expenditures can quickly add up, scholarships and grants specifically covering research and conference travel costs abound.

Aside from all the costs reviewed above, students should always plan to have funds on hand for unforeseen purchases. Whether it’s an unexpected trip to the mechanic, stocking up on winter clothes, or an emergency trip home, students should plan to spend approximately $3,000 to $5,000 per year on miscellaneous expenses.

After reading through all of the costs associated with undertaking a doctoral degree, interested students may be wondering how on earth they’ll ever be able to justify taking this next step. GoGrad’s Paying for Your PhD guide is here to answer this question and any others arising.

10 ADVANTAGES TO PURSUING AN ADVANCED DEGREE

Obtaining a doctoral degree has innumerable benefits for individuals in many different industries and areas of work.

While some fields – such as psychology or astrophysics – require professionals to hold a PhD to be fully certified, professionals in other areas often undertake this degree to move into specialized research or teaching roles. For mid-career workers who already hold a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree can help propel them into a senior-level role in their new industry.

Looking for more benefits? Keep reading.

Obtaining a master degree is an investment that pays off throughout your career. As reported by National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a master’s degree will net individuals a paycheck that’s 23 percent higher than their baccalaureate-holding colleagues, while those with a doctoral degree earned up to 52 percent more.

Whether deciding to pursue a professorship after years of experience in the field or moving directly into teaching, the vast majority of four-year universities require faculty to hold a PhD to teach courses.

While some may think of in-depth research opportunities being relegated to STEM-related industries, the spread of digital technology is continually increasing the importance of both data gathering and data analysis. Individuals able to delve into research projects and glean useful insights are valuable to almost any industry.

Consultants to government agencies, non-profit organizations and corporate businesses display the highest levels of expertise and knowledge, gleaned from both years of experience and an advanced education.

Students who pursue graduate degrees typically all have one thing in common: they love their subject. While undergraduate degrees offer excellent foundational knowledge and skills, advanced degrees allow students to truly immerse themselves and gain a holistic understanding of the discipline.

As of 2014, less than one percent of the American population held a PhD and only eight percent had completed master’s level programs. Advanced degrees and those who complete them are highly respected due to the sheer fact that pursuing academics at this level requires commitment and intelligence.

Advanced degree holders recognized as leaders in their fields often have many opportunities to travel, be it for research collaboration, guest lectures or speaking at/attending conferences held by professional organizations.

Individuals with advanced degrees are typically those who innovate, push the boundaries of what’s possible, and lead groundbreaking research that changes the way people live their lives. Whether working in the arts and sciences, technology, medicine or law, master’s and PhD level professionals are constantly shifting the way the world works.

Although highly competitive, numerous fellowship and grant opportunities not only pay all costs associated with an advance degree, in some cases they also provide a living stipend. Instead of worrying about housing expenses or other general costs of living, recipients of these awards are able to devote their full attention to learning.

While some jobs may be quite rigid in their structure, advanced degree holders often have more autonomy to structure their work days and projects. They may decide to split their time between offices, complete projects while traveling, or outsource basic tasks to focus on more specialized work.

• PhD Stipends

Graduate Financial Aid

All PhD students receive a semi-monthly stipend payment to cover the basic cost of living in New Haven. The minimum annual stipends for the 2023-2024 academic year are:

• Humanities/Social Sciences: $40,530 stipend
• Physical Sciences: $40,530 stipend
• Biological & Biomedical Sciences: $42,000 stipend

Understanding the semi-monthly payroll process

First-year phd students.

Your first stipend payment is a significant milestone, and we want you to have a clear understanding of the payroll process. During your first year of study, your stipend will be disbursed in 25 semi-monthly payments. Graduate students are paid twice each month, on the 15th day and the last day of the month (or the Friday before, if it falls on a weekend or a holiday). After each payment, you should check your Workday profile to review your payslip. Select "Pay" from the menu and choose the payroll slip to view.  

In your first stipend payment, you will also see a one-time relocation award of $1,000 included. This award is meant to assist you with the costs associated with moving to New Haven. This is a one-time payment and will not be included in your future stipend payments. Please keep this in mind when budgeting for your expenses, as your future stipend payments will not include this additional amount.

In the future, if you have on-campus employment or other one-time payments, you will also see these items reflected in your payslip. Your payslip may also change from term to term depending on your funding sources (i.e., teaching, research, university fellowship, etc.).

Continuing PhD students

As a continuing PhD student, you will receive your first stipend payment on September 15. Continuing student stipend payments are paid on a semi-monthly basis, on the 15th and the last day of the month (or the Friday before, if it falls on a weekend or holiday).

Direct Deposit

We encourage you to set up direct deposit of your stipend checks into a US bank account of your choice. This is the fastest and most convenient way to access your stipend each pay period.

If you are a new student, you may need to wait until after the start of your fellowship period and the creation of your payroll record to set up direct deposit of your stipend check. Any incoming student who has not set up direct deposit will have their checks sent to the Payroll Tax Form US mailing address listed in their student record.

To set up direct deposit, you must have a US bank account . Then follow these steps:

• Login to Workday using your NetID and password. 
• Select the “Pay” widget on your Workday homepage. 
• Next, select “Payment Elections.” From here, use the “Add” function to add a new account for direct deposit. You may add more than one account and you can choose how to allocate funds across your accounts.

Once you have set up direct deposit, it may take one or two pay periods to take effect. Until then, your stipend check will be mailed to you at the address you provide.

If you encounter difficulty with Workday, have questions about the direct deposit process, or how to view your stipend statements online, please contact the Employee Service Center at 203-432-5552 or via email ( [email protected] ). 

Additional Financial Aid and student information can be found on the Yale Hub .  

If you have any questions or concerns about your stipend, payslip, or other matters related to payment, please reach out to the Graduate Financial Aid Office.

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How to Pay for a PhD: Fellowships for Graduate Students, Research Funding, and More

If you've ever considered earning a doctorate, one of the questions you've undoubtedly asked yourself is "how will I pay for a PhD?" 

The good news is, most doctoral students receive fellowships and research funding from the their college or university, and are not directly responsible for paying for the majority of their PhD costs.

Fully Funded PhD Programs: What Makes them Possible?

Fully funded PhD programs allow doctoral students to focus exclusively on their studies and research, without having to hold a full time job to make ends meet. Full funding is often made possible through one or more fellowships or grants from the department, the graduate school, and other organizations. SMU currently has 55 Moody School funded PhD students.

SMU’s newest school, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies , is able to offer a wide range of fellowships thanks, in large part, to a landmark $100 million endowment from the Moody Foundation. SMU's PhD programs cater to graduate students who want to engage in advanced, interdisciplinary, innovative studies, and data-driven research.  In this new chapter of our story, we leading the charge to discover technological solutions to the many local and global issues that challenge us as we move further into the 21 st century.

This endowment and the associated operational funds support…

• Graduate students
• SMU faculty, renowned visiting faculty, and deanships
• Leading scholars who conduct world-changing research
• Expansion of interdisciplinary research and development

“We cannot overstate the power and reach of this gift. This is a transformational moment for SMU and Dallas, signaling that SMU is a premier institution with the means to be a full partner in commercial and global problem-solving, and a pipeline for leaders to tackle those challenges." — R. Gerald Turner, SMU President

In addition to propelling SMU forward as a leading research institution, the Moody endowment has an untold impact on the Dallas community surrounding SMU. "As the Texas economy booms, companies and institutions look to universities like SMU for innovative ideas, data-driven research, and technology that can create opportunity,” Turner said. “The Moody School will be the portal to all of our resources — the entry point for any organization with a research challenge to approach the University for partnership.”

What Does the Moody Foundation Grant Mean for Graduate Students?

The Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies offers master’s and doctoral degrees that span many fields across four of SMU’s colleges and schools. These are the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Lyle School of Engineering, the Meadows School of the Arts, and the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

In a purely practical sense, this remarkable donation opens new doors for graduate students seeking fellowships and grants. Students in each of the four colleges and schools noted above can apply for fellowships, grants, and research funding that advance the goals of SMU. Let’s explore each of these funding mechanisms and discuss how prospective SMU grad students can secure these forms of funding.

Fellowships for Graduate Students at SMU

Moody graduate fellowships.

Beginning with the Fall 2021 applicants, SMU will offer fellowships to a select group of PhD applicants. These fellowships reward applicants who show exceptional promise for academic success. They provide tuition waivers, health insurance, and pensions of $30,000 for up to five years.

Students who apply to a PhD program at SMU by the  priority deadline  are eligible for the Moody Graduate Fellowship. Each department may nominate only one candidate, and SMU will consider only candidates nominated by their department.

University PhD Fellowships

Exceptional PhD and students with PhD-equivalents qualify for a fellowship grant that can defray educational costs for up to five years, contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree.

All students who apply to a PhD program by the priority deadline  are eligible for the University PhD Fellowship. Each department may nominate a limited number of candidates, and SMU will consider only candidates nominated by their department.

Mustang Fellowships

Mustang Fellowships help SMU improve the diversity of its graduate student population. These provide tuition waivers, health insurance, and pensions of $30,000 for up to five years for PhD students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and identify as diverse in their academic disciplines.

As a PhD program applicant, you’re invited to apply for this fellowship through a brief essay in your application. You should explain why your educational, cultural, geographic, or familial background will contribute to SMU’s graduate program diversity. Departments nominate candidates for the Mustang Fellowship as part of their application review process.

Moody Dissertation Fellowships

These fellowships recognize and support outstanding PhD students as they complete their dissertations. SMU reserves this award for PhD students in the dissertation-writing phase of their degrees. It is available for those whose research shows exceptional promise for impact in their field of study.

The awards provide tuition waivers, health insurance, and a stipend of $30,000 for one year. Recipients commit to develop and defend their dissertations in the fellowship year. Their departments must nominate students to be eligible for this fellowship.

Dean’s Dissertation Fellowships

These fellowships provide support to PhD students in the dissertation-writing phase of their degrees, allowing them to focus on completing and defending their dissertations. They provide tuition waiver, health insurance, and a stipend commensurate with the standard PhD stipend in their department. Recipients commit to complete and defend their dissertations in the fellowship year. Each department must nominate students to be eligible for this fellowship.

Grants for PhD Students at SMU

Graduate student travel grants.

Graduate students can receive up to $750 in reimbursement for travel expenses to present an accepted paper or poster at a conference. You can apply for a travel grant here.

SMU accepts travel grant applications year-round but awards only one grant per student each academic year. The department chair and the graduate advisor must sponsor each proposal. Note that travel grants cannot be awarded retroactively, you'll need to submit a proposal before you travel.

Dedman Graduate Student Assembly Funding

The Dedman College Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) provides funding for graduate students in each department of Dedman College. The GSA receives a portion of the student fees paid by the graduate students in Dedman College. Those funds circulate back to graduate students who receive small grants to cover certain expenses that range from $100 to a few hundred dollars.

Graduate students can use this funding to pay for thesis and dissertation related expenses, such as presenting a paper or poster at a convention, conference, or other graduate activity, attending conferences, and purchasing membership in professional organizations and journals. Grad students may apply before the funding is necessary, or for reimbursement up to 30 days after the activity. 

Begin Your Fully-Funded PhD Program at SMU

With more than 100 years of history to build on, the SMU community is excited for the next chapter of growth that has been made possible through the Moody Foundation. With growing enrollment numbers, the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies is already attracting the best students, staff, and faculty. Now, SMU and its graduate students are positioned to make even greater research contributions to our local Dallas community, our nation, and the world.

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Do PhD Students Get Paid? Phd Stipend, Salary, Research Grants

When starting your journey into earning a PhD, one of the biggest questions would be the funding. Will you make enough to support yourself throughout the study period? On top of that, there are also issues such as study fees to think about. 

In this post, we explore if PhD students get paid, and if these income are enough to support you throughout your studying period.

Do PhD Students Get Paid? 

In short, yes. Many PhD students actually receive some form of financial help, although the question of “how much” is more complex. 

The most common forms PhD students get paid are either through a stipend, or some form tuition waivers.

PhD Stipend & Salary

PhD stipends are a form of financial support, not a salary. They are primarily designed to cover living expenses, allowing students to focus on their dissertation without the need for a part-time job. It may not make sense to consider these stipend as a fully salary.

PhD programs often provide stipends through teaching or research assistantships. As a teaching assistant, you usually help in:

• Administering or coursework,
• Running seminars, or
• Assisting faculty members. 

Research assistantships, on the other hand, align more closely with your field of study, offering hands-on experience in paid research.

The amount of these stipends can vary depending on the field of study and institution. These stipends can range from enough to live modestly to higher amounts in top universities or private companies.

For example, STEM fields generally offer higher stipends due to larger research grants.

Tuition Waiver

In some universities or countries, PhD students may not get any stipend, or allowance. Instead, they get tuition waivers as a form of financial help.

Essentially, these waivers mean that PhD students often don’t pay for their coursework. This can come as a relief, especially when tuition costs are not very high, up to thousands of dollars annually. 

Why do universities offer this? It’s to attract the best candidates and make doctoral education more accessible.

For instance, in STEM fields, where research is heavily funded, tuition waivers are almost a given. This also applies to the social sciences, though the extent of waivers might vary depending on funding availability.

In addition to tuition waivers, some generous universities and countries may also top this up with a stipend. This stipend is meant to cover living expenses, allowing students to focus on their dissertation rather than worry about financial strain.

It’s important to note that while stipends help with living costs, tuition waivers remove the burden of tuition fees entirely. There are also funders that will pay for even things such as books, clothing, thesis, or publication costs.

International students particularly benefit from tuition waivers, as they face higher tuition rates. Coupled with a stipend, these waivers make pursuing a PhD in a foreign country more feasible.

Do PhD Students Earn Enough To Live?

This depends on various factors, including the field of study, location, and the university’s funding structure.

However, you may assume while PhD students don’t get rich from their stipends, most find them sufficient to live on, especially when combined with tuition waivers and assistantships.

The key is understanding the financial package offered by your PhD program and planning accordingly.

PhD students typically receive financial support in the form of a stipend. This stipend is meant to cover basic living expenses, allowing you to focus on your dissertation. The amount varies widely.

For instance, stipends in STEM fields can be higher, owing to larger research grants. In contrast, stipends in the social sciences might be lower, reflecting the funding landscape of these areas.

In addition to stipends, many PhD students receive tuition waivers. This means you’re not paying out of pocket for your coursework, significantly reducing your financial burden. This is especially helpful for international students who often face higher tuition rates.

PhD students often supplement their income with teaching or research assistantships. These positions not only offer financial aid but also provide valuable academic experience. Assistantships typically cover a portion of tuition or provide a stipend, further easing financial stress.

The cost of living in the university’s location plays a crucial role. In cities with a high cost of living, stipends might not stretch as far, whereas in more affordable areas, you might find it easier to cover your expenses.

For a more concrete example, a PhD student in a European country or Middle East might receive a tax-free stipend, which is generally enough to live modestly but comfortably. Contrast this with a student in a high-cost city in the U.S., who might need to find additional income sources.

Can International Students In A PhD Program Earn Money?

If you are an International PhD student, you may wonder if you can earn money while pursuing your studies. The answer largely depends on the regulations of the host country and the specific terms of their visa.

In many countries, international PhD students are allowed to work, but there are restrictions on the number of hours they can work per week.

In the United States, international students on an F-1 visa can work up to 20 hours per week during academic terms and full-time during breaks.

In the UK, the rules are similar for students on a Tier 4 visa. These regulations are designed to ensure that work doesn’t interfere with the primary purpose of their stay, which is education.

Apart from part-time jobs, many international PhD students earn money through teaching or research assistantships offered by their universities. These positions not only provide financial support but also valuable experience in their field of study.

Assistantships typically involve assisting professors with teaching undergraduate courses or participating in research projects.

Additionally, some international students receive stipends as part of their PhD program. These stipends are intended to cover living expenses and are a common form of financial aid in graduate studies. However, it’s important to note that the availability and amount of stipends can vary widely between programs and institutions.

For those who need additional financial support, applying for scholarships, fellowships, or grants specific to international students can be a viable option. These forms of financial aid can provide substantial support, though they often come with their own set of requirements and limitations.

How To Earn More Money As A PhD Student?

Earning more money as a PhD student can be challenging, but there are several ways to supplement your income:

• Teaching Assistantships : Many universities offer teaching assistant roles to PhD students. These positions typically involve assisting professors with undergraduate classes, leading discussion sections, or grading assignments.
• Research Assistantships : If your field of study aligns with funded research projects at your university, applying for a research assistant position can be a lucrative option. These roles involve assisting with research, which can also contribute to your dissertation.
• Fellowships and Grants : Applying for fellowships and grants can provide additional funding. They can be sourced from university departments, private foundations, or government agencies.
• Part-Time Work or Consulting : Depending on your visa status and university regulations, you might be able to take up part-time work or consulting gigs in your field. This can be especially profitable in STEM fields, where technical expertise is in high demand.
• Freelancing or Online Tutoring : Utilise your academic skills by freelancing or online tutoring. Platforms that cater to academic writing, data analysis, or subject-specific tutoring can be excellent sources of additional income.

PhD Students Do Earn Money, But Just Enough

While PhD students don’t receive traditional salaries, they often get financial support through stipends, assistantships, and fellowships.

These funds are designed to cover living expenses and tuition, making it feasible to pursue doctoral studies without significant financial strain. The amount varies by field and location, but generally, it’s enough to live modestly.

Ultimately, while PhD students aren’t earning hefty salaries, the support provided is a critical investment in their academic and professional development.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Financial Aid for Graduate School: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

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Key takeaways

Financial aid for graduate school includes grants, scholarships, fellowships, assistantships and loans.

Exhaust all opportunities for free aid before considering student loans.

If you take out student loans, borrow federal direct loans first. For additional funding, compare offers between federal PLUS loans and private loans to see where you’ll get the best deal.

If you’re considering graduate school, make sure you have a funding plan in place ahead of time. Costs for graduate school can vary greatly depending on the type and length of the program, but there are opportunities to help cut down out-of-pocket costs.

Graduate students can get financial aid through:

FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid provides access to federal, state and some school-based grants.

Organization grants: Industry-specific organizations may provide grants to those studying in relevant fields.

Scholarships: State governments, schools and private organizations may provide scholarships for academic excellence or other factors, like studying in high-needs fields or increasing diversity.

Fellowships: Schools, private organizations and government entities offer fellowships based on field of study and academic performance in exchange for research activities.

Assistantships: Schools may award living stipends and tuition waivers to full-time students in exchange for work.

Employer tuition assistance: Employers may offer to reimburse their employees’ tuition expenses as an employment benefit.

Here’s who qualifies and how to apply for each type of aid.

» MORE: How to pay for grad school: 5 strategies for students

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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA , as your first step to funding your graduate education. Citizens and eligible non-citizen graduate students, including permanent residents and U.S. nationals, are eligible to file.

You must file the FAFSA to qualify for federal and state-based grant awards. Many school-based grants also require the FAFSA.

Federal grants for graduate students include the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education, or TEACH, grant. The TEACH grant provides up to $4,000 a year to education students who will teach in a low-income school or high-needs field after graduation.

Contact the department of education for your state and your school’s state to learn more about state-based grant opportunities.

Contact your school’s financial aid office to learn more about school-based grants and ask your department head about industry-specific grants.

» MORE: Guide to grants for college

Scholarships

Scholarships are available at the state, local and school levels. These awards are based on various eligibility criteria, which can include field of study and academic achievement. Some scholarships are also need-based or allocated only for certain demographics.

Apply for as many scholarships as you qualify for to increase your chances of getting the most money.

Check the Department of Labor’s Scholarship Finder or National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ state-based scholarship search tool to find programs.

Contact your school’s financial aid office and department head about specific scholarship programs you may be eligible for.

» MORE: How to get a scholarship

Fellowships and assistantships

Eligibility requirements and service commitments for fellowship and assistantship programs vary. While fellowships are offered by schools, private organizations or government agencies, assistantships typically only come from the school.

With a fellowship, you may perform research activities outside of your school and payment may not be directly tied to tuition. As assistantships are generally school-based, they are more likely to directly provide full or partial tuition waivers. Some assistantships also come with living stipends .

Contact your financial aid office about school-based fellowships and assistantships, including teaching and resident assistantships. Search the zintellect database, which has ties to the Department of Education and a consortium of Ph.D.-granting institutions, for government and private-sector fellowships.

» MORE: Is a masters degree worth it?

Employer tuition assistance

According to a 2020 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, or SHRM, about 47% of employers offer tuition assistance as part of their benefits package. This benefit can be in the form of tuition reimbursement, where the employer gives a lump sum to employees after they prove their tuition expenses. Other companies may pay tuition costs directly to the school, so the employee doesn't have to front the bill.

The amount of reimbursement varies by employer. The most common benefit ranges from $5,000-$5,999, according to a 2019 report by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

Contact your human resources team to ask about your company’s tuition assistance benefit. Make sure to verify that graduate school tuition qualifies. You also want to get an understanding of any service commitments that come with accepting the benefit. Some employers require you to stay with the company for a certain period after the reimbursement funds are disbursed.

If you exhaust all of your opportunities for aid that doesn’t have to be repaid, look to student loans to fill the remaining funding gaps for graduate school. Schools may include student loans as part of your aid package, but you have to repay them.

Filing the FAFSA typically qualifies you for direct unsubsidized federal student loans. As a graduate student, you can borrow up to $20,500 each year. These loans will accrue interest while you are in school, but typically come with lower interest rates than their private loan counterparts. They also offer repayment options that private student loans don’t, like income-driven repayment .

» MORE: Government student loans: What are the benefits?

If you still need more funding, compare offers between the Grad PLUS loan from the federal government and options available with private student loan companies .

Unlike other federal student loans, PLUS loans require a hard credit check and may come with a higher rate than you can get with a private lender. But if you think you’ll need the protections of federal student loans, they’re still a better option.

On a similar note...

30 Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs

These fully funded Ph.D. programs are in fields like business, computer science, education and nursing.

(Getty Images) |

Many Ph.D. programs are fully funded.

Students interested in graduate research in various fields, from public health and English to computer science and engineering, have numerous options for Ph.D. programs that offer full funding. These programs typically provide waived tuition and fees and an annual stipend. Some also offer health insurance and other benefits. Gaining admittance into these small cohorts can be highly competitive, and the programs can be time-consuming . Here are 30 fully funded Ph.D. programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list – there are others out there.

• Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Chicago

Anthropology Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago can receive funding for up to eight years of study, assuming they are in good standing at the university. During that time, they will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus health insurance and a living stipend – which equated to $33,000 for the 2022-2023 school year – and can apply for external fellowships.

Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University (MA)

Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston offers a Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health that aims to provide students with expertise in disease prevention and treatment. This program includes tuition, a stipend and health insurance for five years as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. International students receive the same benefits. Current research in the school's laboratories involves diseases like AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, malaria and tuberculosis.

(Dominick Reuter) |

• Ph.D. in business at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Students enrolled in the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology can study a range of fields like organization studies, accounting and information technology. Those pursuing a Ph.D. will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus a monthly stipend of $4,267, capped at $51,204. They will also receive medical insurance, new laptops at the beginning of their first and fourth years of study and $4,500 over five years for conference travel expenses.

(Tommy Lavergne | Rice University)

Ph.D. in business at Rice University (TX)

At the Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business in Texas, students enjoy full financial assistance upon admission to the Ph.D. program. Aiming to prepare students to teach in fields like accounting, finance, organizational behavior and strategic management, the program provides students with a research or teaching assistantship. Students receive a tuition waiver and a $40,000 annual stipend contingent on making satisfactory academic progress and maintaining full-time student status.

Office of Strategic Communication | University of Iowa

• Ph.D. in business at the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business offers Ph.D. degrees in fields such as accounting, economics, business analytics and marketing. The college says it provides full funding to "virtually all admitted students." This includes tuition and fees, a minimum nine-month stipend of about $20,000 with annual adjustments and comprehensive health insurance covered at 90%. Some departments offer funding for research presentations at major conferences, summer fellowships and paid time off for independent research.

Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University (NY)

According to Cornell University 's website, all students admitted to the chemical engineering Ph.D. program at the New York school receive a full tuition waiver, health insurance and a stipend. This funding can come from a teaching assistantship, research assistantship or fellowship, and full stipends are granted for nine months with the likelihood of additional aid in the summer.

Chris Taggart | Columbia University

Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University (NY)

Students enrolled in Columbia University 's Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at the Teachers College in New York receive fully funded tuition and a $25,000 stipend annually for three years. The stipend also carries into a student's fourth year. These doctoral fellows "may be expected to serve" as graduate teaching or research assistants. Students typically complete the mentor-matched program, which includes a full-year internship, in five to seven years.

Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University (RI)

Brown University 's Ph.D. students in computer science have access to "full financial support while completing the degree," plus the option to take classes at nearby schools without incurring additional costs, according to the school's website. In fact, doctoral students in any program at the Rhode Island university are guaranteed five years of financial support, which includes tuition remission, a stipend, health services fees and a subsidy for health insurance.

Georgetown University |

Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University (DC)

Georgetown University 's Ph.D. program in computer science provides scholarships and assistantships that cover full tuition at the Washington, D.C., school and include a stipend and health insurance for the first five years. Once enrolled in the program, students must complete the Apprenticeship in Teaching Program and ultimately write and defend a full research dissertation in a seminar open to the public.

Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University in St. Louis

Ph.D. students in the computer science or computer engineering program at Washington University in St. Louis receive full tuition support and health insurance. According to the university's website: "As a doctoral candidate, you will also receive a generous stipend to cover living expenses and a new, high-end Apple laptop computer. This support is guaranteed as you continue to make satisfactory progress towards your degree." Doctoral students may also qualify for one of three fellowships.

Jeff Miller | UW-Madison

• Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison

Incoming Ph.D. students at the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin—Madison are guaranteed full funding for the duration of the time that they are expected on campus, according to the university's department of counseling psychology website. Doctoral students also receive a benefits package that includes health insurance. Funding may come from financial aid, fellowships, assistantships and/or traineeships.

Emory University |

Ph.D. in economics at Emory University (GA)

Students enrolled in the economics Ph.D. program at Emory University typically receive full funding, according to the Georgia university's website. The stipend provided to students is $36,376 per year for five years, starting in fall 2023, and the full tuition scholarship is worth $70,200 per year. Funding for admitted students also includes a $4,370 annual subsidy that covers 100% of a student's cost of health insurance. First-year students have no stipend-related work requirements.

• Ph.D. in education at New York University

New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development offers more than 30 degree programs. Many can be pursued on campus or online. Ph.D. degrees are offered in areas like developmental psychology, educational leadership and childhood education. Full-time NYU Steinhardt Ph.D. students are eligible for a funding package that includes an annual stipend – $32,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year – tuition coverage for required coursework and student health insurance for five years.

L.A. Cicero, Stanford News Service |

Ph.D. in education at Stanford University (CA)

Stanford University's Graduate School of Education allows students numerous fellowship and assistantship opportunities at the California school, along with a "five-year funding guarantee that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary, and covers the standard cost of attendance," the program website reads. At the Graduate School of Education, doctoral students can choose from a range of academic areas like curriculum studies and teacher education, and developmental and psychological sciences.

• Ph.D. in education at the University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education provides full funding to Ph.D. students as part of a fellowship and research apprenticeship package. This funding includes a living stipend, health insurance and coverage of tuition and fees for up to four years if the student maintains full-time enrollment. Some students may also qualify for additional summer funding.

• Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

Doctoral students in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor can choose from numerous areas of specialization under umbrella categories like aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and robotics. All engineering doctoral students are guaranteed full funding, a monthly living stipend and health insurance. The exact amount can vary, according to the program's website, and funding comes from a range of sources, including graduate student instructor positions and fellowships.

Boston University Photography |

• Ph.D. in English at Boston University

Annually, doctoral students studying English at Boston University receive a stipend plus full tuition, fees and basic health insurance. This funding is guaranteed for at least five years, with two of those years typically free from teaching requirements. Funding can sometimes be extended up to seven years, according to the university's website, but it's not guaranteed. Students may also apply for various prizes, fellowships and short-term research and travel grants.

(Stephanie Diani) |

• Ph.D. in English at the University of California—Los Angeles

Applicants to the Ph.D. in English program at the University of California—Los Angeles are automatically considered for various funding options. A six-year funding package includes "a minimum of two years of full fellowship, four years of summer stipend support and up to four years of teaching assistantships," according to the school website. Beyond tuition, fees and health insurance are also covered.

Jeff Watts |

Ph.D. in international relations at American University (DC)

American University offers doctoral students in its international relations program who do not have external funding a renewable four-year Dean's Fellowship that is contingent on making satisfactory academic progress. The fellowship includes the cost of tuition, fees and a stipend that must be earned via a part-time role as a teaching or research assistant. Students also must "demonstrate competency in a modern foreign language" before graduating.

Jonathan Cohen | Binghamton University

• Ph.D. in management at Binghamton University—SUNY

All students admitted to the interdisciplinary management Ph.D. program at the Binghamton University—SUNY School of Management in New York receive a combination of a full-tuition scholarship and a teaching or research assistantship for each academic year, up to four years. This STEM-designated business doctoral degree prepares students for careers in academia and work in the public and private sectors, and has a student-faculty ratio of 1-to-1, according to the university's website.

Duke University Communications |

Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University (NC)

Doctoral students at Duke University in North Carolina studying materials science and engineering generally receive full tuition, a stipend and fee support for the first five years. Students also receive up to six years of health insurance if they are on the university's student medical insurance plan. The doctoral program aims to help students publish with a faculty adviser and develop research skills, with the opportunity to present research at professional conferences.

Homewood Photography | JHU

Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University (MD)

The School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland provides most doctoral students with three fully funded years of study. Available financial aid includes graduate assistantships, targeted fellowships and nursing-specific funding. The university aims to "advance the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and healthcare delivery" with the degree, its website reads. "By graduation, most Hopkins nurse scholars have been awarded grants that continue their research and set them well on their way to a successful career."

• Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Virginia

All students admitted to the University of Virginia 's Ph.D. in Nursing program are eligible for four years of scholarship funding to cover tuition, insurance and fees, as well as annual stipends. To receive certain aid, students must work 10 hours per week as a graduate teaching assistant. With a heavy research focus, students can expect courses in qualitative, quantitative and historical research, and will have to submit a research proposal for peer review.

Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University (CT)

At Yale University in Connecticut, the School of Nursing offers full funding to its Ph.D. students. They receive a monthly stipend for four years in addition to paid tuition and health care. The program allows students to gain in-depth knowledge in a particular area of study. Every incoming Ph.D. student gets paired with a faculty adviser "whose area of expertise and active research most closely matches with the student’s scholarly interest," according to the school's website.

University of Minnesota |

• Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program to study psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities are guaranteed full funding for five years as long as they maintain satisfactory performance and degree progress. This funding includes full-time tuition, a nine-month stipend and subsidized health insurance. Funding comes from some combination of teaching assistantships, traineeships, research assistantships and fellowships. Students in the program can specialize in areas like cognitive and brain sciences, industrial-organizational psychology and social psychology.

Matt Cashore | University of Notre Dame

Ph.D. within the Romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame (IN)

University of Notre Dame doctoral students who focus on French and Francophone studies, Iberian and Latin American studies or Italian studies are guaranteed five years of funding. Funding includes a full scholarship, including tuition and fees, plus a stipend and health insurance. Anyone who completes the Ph.D. degree requirements at the Indiana university within five years will automatically receive a one-year postdoctoral fellowship via the university's 5+1 Program. Fellows will have a teaching load limited to one course per semester.

Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College (PA)

Students admitted to Bryn Mawr College 's Ph.D. program in social work receive full tuition waivers and "substantial stipends" toward living expenses. The Pennsylvania college's website says: "Consistent with our model, all Ph.D. students are funded equally, and do not compete for basic financial support during coursework." The program's cohorts typically include only three or four students each year. According to the college, it awarded the first Ph.D. degree in social work in the U.S. in 1920.

Vanderbilt University |

Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University (TN)

Funding is guaranteed for all admitted doctoral students enrolled in the special education Ph.D. program at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. This includes full tuition, a "competitive" monthly stipend and health insurance for up to four years. Students may also be nominated for additional honor scholarships and fellowships. Areas of focus within the Ph.D. program include high-incidence disabilities and early childhood education.

Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University (IL)

This interdisciplinary Ph.D. program at Northwestern University in Illinois combines coursework in humanities, social science and the visual arts. The program's students receive a five-year full-tuition scholarship plus an annual living stipend. Ph.D students enrolling at this program in fall 2022 will receive a living stipend of at least $36,960 during the 2023-2024 school year. Stipend amounts may change from year to year. Students can apply for subsidies to facilitate conference travel and summer language study.

(Photo by Sarah L. Voisin | The Washington Post via Getty Images)

• Ph.D. in women, gender and sexuality studies at University of Maryland

At the University of Maryland 's Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ph.D. students without a master's degree usually have five years of guaranteed funding. Those with a master's degree usually are funded four years, with awards stemming from a mix of departmental fellowships and graduate teaching assistantships. Since the program's establishment in 1999, the department has granted 36 Ph.Ds, according to UMD's website.

Learn more about paying for graduate school.

Finding a fully funded program isn't the only option to offset the costs of graduate school. See these seven strategies to pay for graduate school to learn more. Check out the latest Best Graduate Schools rankings to see the country's top business, medicine and law programs – and more. For additional grad school tips, follow U.S. News Education on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn .

Ph.D. programs that are fully funded

• Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University
• Ph.D. in business at Rice University
• Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University
• Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University—St. Louis
• Ph.D. in economics at Emory University
• Ph.D. in education at Stanford University
• Ph.D. in international relations at American University
• Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University
• Ph.D. within the romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame
• Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College
• Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University
• Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University

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The 2019 Committee on Graduate Education’s report identified issues related to student payments as a recurring source of dissatisfaction among graduate students and as an impediment to student success. Based on student feedback, beginning in Summer 2023 the University will implement the next step in addressing student concerns by transitioning to a consistent monthly payment schedule for PhD student primary funding. This particular change aims to minimize confusion and financial hardship by standardizing practices that have varied by division and school and have included combinations of quarterly lump sum funding, biweekly funding, and monthly funding for students.

This FAQ aims to answer general questions related to this change. Further questions can be directed to your area’s Dean of Students Office and the UChicagoGRAD Administrative Services team ( [email protected] ).

1. What changed with PhD primary funding payments?

The Committee on Graduate Education identified uncertainty about funding payments as a source of student confusion and dissatisfaction, so as of Summer 2023, PhD Primary Funding of all kinds—fellowship, pedagogical training, and research training—is paid to students on the last business day of the month. This consistent payment schedule for all PhD students means there is no longer variability across graduate divisions or across the type of funding.

2. Who was impacted by this change?

The change in how primary funding is disbursed affected only PhD students. Master’s students, professional degree students, and undergraduates were not directly impacted by the transition.

3. When will PhD students receive primary funding payments?

PhD Primary Funding for each quarter is disbursed on the monthly payment cycle. This means that, in general, PhD students will be paid on the final business day of each month across four academic quarters:

• Autumn Quarter funding will pay in October, November, and December.
• Winter Quarter funding will pay in January, February, and March.
• Spring Quarter funding will pay in April, May, and June.
• Summer Quarter funding will pay in July, August, and September.

Incoming PhD students who begin in Autumn Quarter of each academic year will receive four payments during their first quarter to ease their transition to monthly funding. Students matriculating during any other quarter should be in touch with their area Dean of Students for their payment schedule.

4. Are taxes withheld from primary funding payments?

In quarters during which primary funding is classified as pedagogical or research training, federal and state taxes will be withheld from each monthly payment for that quarter. In quarters during which primary funding is classified as fellowship stipend, federal tax withholding will depend on an individual student’s tax status in the US:

*Illinois State Tax is not withheld from any fellowship stipend funding. Students are responsible for remitting state taxes directly to the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) through estimated tax payments.

5. Will the new model affect how much students pay in taxes?

For many students—those who are residents for tax purposes (i.e., US Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, or international students who have passed the substantial presence test and are not otherwise eligible for a tax treaty)—this change will not increase how much is being paid in taxes, only how the taxes are paid. During quarters in which primary funding is tied to a pedagogical or research training assignment, federal and state taxes will be withheld directly at the point of payment. Overall this could lead to an increase in direct tax withholding but a decrease in a student’s estimated tax obligation during the tax year. PhD student funding has always been considered taxable and reportable to the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue.

Students who are non-residents for tax purposes and have been claiming an exemption from tax withholding for both a tax treaty that applies to fellowship stipend funding and a tax treaty that applies to pedagogical training funding may experience a net increase in your tax obligation. This is due to primary funding no longer being split between multiple job profiles in one quarter.

Taxes can be very complicated, and individual situations may vary depending on the type of funding and a student’s nationality and relevant tax treaties. Any questions related to taxes should be directed to [email protected] .

6. Will the new model change the requirement to pay estimated taxes?

It depends—for quarters during which PhD primary funding is tied to a pedagogical or research training assignment, payments will be subject to federal and state withholding and the withheld taxes will be subtracted from the amount that would otherwise be remitted through estimated taxes. Some students will continue to need to make estimated tax payments, particularly residents for tax purposes who receive a significant amount of funding as fellowship stipend.

Under federal law, all new employees must complete Form I-9 and submit documentation to verify their identity and eligibility for employment.

The Graduate Administrative Services Team in UChicagoGRAD processes I-9 forms for graduate students who will be or intend to be employed at the University of Chicago. For incoming graduate students who haven’t yet been hired as an employee at the university, we still strongly recommend completing the I-9 process upon arrival to the university to be prepared for future employment.

Under federal law, all new employees must complete Form I-9 and submit documentation to verify their identity and their eligibility for employment. You can find more information about the I-9 process on the  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Your I-9 documentation requirements will vary depending on your citizenship status and place of residence. To see which documents you will need to have ready to submit for I-9 processing, please see  this table . Be prepared to present original documents in person.  Please note: although not indicated on the acceptable documents list, international students need to present either their I-20 (F1 visa status) or DS-2019 (J1 visa status) in additional to other documents to complete the I-9 process. 

You must complete Form I-9 and submit the required documentation on or before your first day on the job.  Students who do not complete this process within the required timeframe will not be able to continue in their student employment position.

The Graduate Administrative Services Team offers individual I-9 verification appointments throughout the academic quarter. Please schedule an appointment via GRAD Gargoyle . For PhD students who will be holding research or pedagogical training assignments tied to an academic requirement, there will be quarterly drop-in sessions prior to the assignment start date.

Academics | Finance

Graduate student payments and tax information, */ /*--> */ graduate student appointment definitions.

Graduate Fellowship Appointments: Graduate fellowships are appointments provided to full-time enrolled graduate students pursuing a doctoral or other terminal degree. These appointments offer financial support without any expectation of service in return. Fellowships are awarded based on academic achievement and may be funded internally or by various external organizations. Some fellowships may involve specific duties related to teaching or research, but the primary focus is on supporting the student's academic and professional development. This appointment type should not be used once a student is assigned to a faculty advisor (where there is an expectation of service) unless the funding source explicitly indicates the appointment must be classified as a fellowship.

Graduate Research Assistantship Appointments: Graduate research assistantships provide employment opportunities and income for graduate students engaged in academic studies, research, or scholarly activities. A faculty advisor hires research assistants to assist with research projects and may receive a salary and tuition support. These positions offer valuable hands-on experience and are classified as having an employee/employer relationship.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship Appointments: Graduate teaching assistantships involve teaching or instructional duties and provide employment opportunities and income for graduate students. Teaching assistants are hired to assist with teaching, grading, or other instructional tasks. They receive a salary and may receive tuition support. These positions offer teaching experience and professional development opportunities and are classified as having an employee/employer relationship.

Graduate Assistantship Appointments: Graduate assistantships may involve duties of a Research Assistant and/or a Teaching Assistant as described above. They receive a salary and may receive tuition support. These positions are classified as having an employee/employer relationship.

Graduate Student Instructors of Record: Graduate student instructors of record are employed to teach and manage instructional tasks for specific courses. They receive compensation and tuition support. These opportunities are competitive and offer teaching experience and professional development. They are classified as having an employee/employer relationship.

Information about managing your graduate student payments can be found below. A link to your payment history can be found here .

Webinars organized by the Controllers office are available here .

Payment and Tax Information for Graduate Assistants, Research Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and Instructors of Record

For U.S. citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, and Resident Aliens for U.S. Tax Purposes, graduate assistants, research assistants, teaching assistants, and instructor of record salaries will have taxes withheld at the time of payment based on the Form W-4, and then the taxes and income are reported to the IRS by Rice. The salary will be included on Form W-2, which is provided in January each year to report the previous year’s income. For Nonresident Aliens, for U.S. Tax Purposes, the salary will have taxes withheld at the time of payment unless a treaty benefit is available and claimed by the student. The salary and tax withholding will be included on Form W-2 for students not claiming a tax treaty or income exceeding a treaty limit. Form 1042-S will report any income exempt from U.S. withholding under a tax treaty.

Federal Form I-9:

• The Federal Form I-9 requires documents to substantiate identity and U.S. employment eligibility.
• The following link directs you to the USCIS website, where you can view acceptable documents.
• You may present one original document from List A or a combination of one original document from List B and one original document from List C: I-9 List of Acceptable Documents (click on List A, B, and C documents to view).
• Some individuals who present a List A document, such as certain nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors, must present additional documentation in order to prove their work authorization in the U.S. as described here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents/combination-documents
• You may not begin to work until Section 1 is completed.
• You have three (3) business days from your start date to complete Section 2.
• If E-Verify cannot confirm that an individual is authorized to work, Rice is required to give the employee written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Social Security Administration (SSA) so they can begin to resolve the issue before Rice can take any action against the employee, including terminating employment.

Please use this task to enroll in Direct Deposit.

• You will need valid banking information to complete this task.
• You will have the opportunity to set up multiple accounts and specify exact amounts or percentages for direct deposit per account.
• Elections are required before your first scheduled pay. Pay schedules are available at https://controller.rice.edu/payroll-schedules .
• If you do not enroll in direct deposit at least two days before your first payday , you understand that Payroll will enroll you in the payroll card program and have read the Payroll Card Disclosure . Additionally, you understand that Payroll will assign you a payroll card and mail it to your mailing address.
• Click the link here to open a new window to payment methods.
• Once you are in Payment Methods within iO, select " Worker" in the dropdown under " Payroll Relationship."

Please use this task to verify or update your Personal Details as indicated below. The link below will direct you to the self-service tool to update any required information.

Please verify the following are correct:

Link to Employee's Personal Details (when finished, close that window to return here)

Please use this task to complete your Tax Withholding. The link below will direct you to the self-service tool to update any required information.

If no W-4 form is completed, you will be taxed at the highest single rate for federal withholding.

Link to Tax Withholding Self-Service page (when finished, close that window to return here)

If you need assistance with completing your tax withholding, please refer to the job aid and / or video .

NOTE: Foreign nationals will receive an email from [email protected] with login credentials so individuals can provide immigration and travel history through the Foreign National Information System (FNIS). This information enables the Payroll Office to determine tax status and comply with U.S. withholding and reporting requirements.

If you are a Resident Alien for U.S. Tax Purposes, you can complete the tax withholding task. If you are a Nonresident Alien for U.S. Tax Purposes, you can complete the tax withholding task; however, you must complete the form based on the following IRS requirements:

• You cannot claim exemption from federal income tax. In the tax withholding task, the Exempt from Federal Income Tax drop-down must be No.
• You must request withholding as if you’re single, regardless of your actual marital or filing status. In the tax withholding task, the filing status must be Single or Married, filing separately.
• You cannot claim the child credit or credit for other dependents. In the tax withholding task, the Qualifying Dependents Amount, Other Dependents Amount, and Total Dependents Amounts must be the default ($0).

Please use this task to verify or add your Contact Information. The link below will direct you to the self-service tool to update any required information.

Please verify or add the following :

• For home addresses outside of the US, use address type "International Home Address."
• Benefits-eligible employees located outside of the US should contact [email protected] for additional guidance

Please Note: There are state / local tax withholding implications, so make sure your address(es) are correct to ensure appropriate taxes are deducted from your pay. More information is provided in iO, where you update addresses. Navigate in iO to Me > Quick Actions > Contact Info >+Add Address > scroll down to Primary check box and hover over the ? icon.

Link to employee contact page (when finished, close that window to return here)

Starting on the first day of employment, you need to report time using iO’s Web Clock and / or Time Card in accordance with Rice Policy 415 .

This is to ensure you are paid timely and accurately. For more information on how to enter time, please refer to the Entering Time Using Web Clock QRG , Time Card Entry and Edit for Employees Job Aid , and iO Time Reporting webpage for additional resources.

Please note: you will not have access to Web Clock and Time Card until your second day, so please keep track of your hours so you can report them on your Time Card.

Please follow the link below to add or update your Family and Emergency Contacts.

Note: For benefits-eligible employees, your Family and Emergency Contacts will also appear in your "Before You Enroll" self-service page within the Benefits module.

Link to Update Family and Emergency Contacts (close that window when finished to return here)

Pay Schedule

Check-in with your Student HCM Contact:

Architecture: Kristina Kennedy, [email protected]

Engineering: Asia Donald, [email protected]

Humanities: Heather Holley, [email protected]

Jones Graduate School: Ph.D. Students: Melinda Peña, [email protected] ; MBA Students: Rebeca Reyes, [email protected]

Social Sciences: Corina Gonzalez, [email protected]

Natural Sciences: Dominique Oumar, [email protected]

Shepherd’s School: Susie Schoepf, [email protected]

Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering (IBB): Jing Jin, [email protected]

Applied Physics Graduate Program: Laura Livingston, [email protected]

Useful Links

Current Student Semester Start Checklist - https://graduate.rice.edu/student-semester-start-checklist

Graduate Student Overview & New Student Checklist - https://graduate.rice.edu/admissions/after-admission

Graduate Student Payment Checklist - https://rice.app.box.com/s/m7kc8xm21tthrbnep3fn5nda8yomwolp

Graduate Student Pay Report: https://emdz.fa.us2. oraclecloud.com/analytics/saw. dll?Portal&PortalPath=% 2Fshared%2FCustom% 2FimagineOne%20Data%20and% 20Analytics%2FHCM%2FPayroll% 2FGrad%20Student%20Pay% 20Report%20-%20Students% 2FGraduate%20Student%20Pay% 20Report

This acknowledgment form will serve as notification of the legal name and Social Security number as issued by the Social Security Administration

The Federal government requires Rice University to report employee information to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Both governmental agencies use the Social Security number as the primary number for reporting purposes.

The employee's first name, middle name, last name, and Social Security number that appears on the employee’s Personal Details self-service page will be the official name used by Rice University and will appear on the paycheck stubs and W-2 forms. The employee's name and Social Security number are also verified through the Social Security Administration’s employer verification process. To complete this verification process, Human Resources will need the employee’s Social Security number and the legal name as it appears on the Social Security card. This acknowledgment form will serve as notification of the verification of the employee’s name and Social Security number through the Social Security Administration.

Employees who have never applied for a Social Security card and do not have a number assigned to them will need to complete an application form requesting a card and number from the Social Security Office within 30 days of employment. Information regarding Social Security applications and office locations may be obtained from the Social Security Administration’s website at www.ssa.gov .

Individuals from foreign countries should consult with the Office of International Student and Scholars (OISS) prior to applying for a Social Security number with the Social Security Administration. Please visit the OISS website for more information at https://oiss.rice.edu/ .

Upon receipt of the Social Security card, the employee will need to return to the Human Resources Office and provide the Social Security number and the legal name as it appears on the card.

Rice University has Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage with Travelers Insurance to protect you in the event you are injured at work. You can obtain more information about your Workers’ Compensation rights from the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation ( http://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/index.html ) or by calling 1-800-252-7031.

La Universidad de Rice tiene cobertura de compensación para trabajadores que sufran lesiones o heridas en el trabajo con la compañía de seguros Traveler’s. Usted puede conseguir más información sobre su derecho a recibir compensación por lesiones o heridas en el trabajo en cualquier oficina de la Comisión de Compensación de Texas para los Trabajadores (Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation) en la página de internet http://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/index.html o puede llamar al 1-800-252-7031.

Please review the resources available here:

https://graduate.rice.edu/tax-status-scholarships-fellowships-grants-and-stipends

Please review the resources available here .

Payment and Tax Information for Graduate Fellows

For U.S. citizens, U.S. Permanent Residents, and Resident Aliens for U.S. Tax Purposes, fellowships do not have tax taken out at the time of payment and will not be reported on a W-2 form. Students are responsible for determining if any of the fellowship is taxable under IRS guidance. If any portion of the fellowship is taxable, students may need to make estimated tax payments, report this income on their individual tax returns, and keep supporting records. Please visit the IRS website for more information. For Nonresident Aliens for U.S. Tax Purposes, the fellowship is reported on Form 1042-S and will have 14% tax withheld for students in the U.S. on an F, J, M, or Q visa or 30% tax withheld for others unless a treaty benefit is available and claimed by the student. Form 1042-S will also report any income exempt from U.S. withholding under a tax treaty. These forms are provided in March each year to report the previous year’s income. Please visit the IRS website for more information.

This Journeys task is available in iO to add your Payment Information and W-9 (US Citizens) or W-8BEN (Foreign Nationals) forms. This task needs to be completed to ensure that your fellowship payment is paid in a timely fashion.

Getting Paid

Making Changes

• Generally, fellowship payments will not have taxes withheld. Payments will be reported at calendar year-end on a 1099 (US citizens) or 1042-S (foreign nationals, depending on status).
• Foreign nationals will receive an email from [email protected] with login credentials so individuals can provide immigration and travel history through the Foreign National Information System (FNIS). This information enables the Payroll Office to determine tax status and comply with U.S. withholding and reporting requirements. Payroll administers this system, but withholdings can apply to all payments made to a student, including from Procure to Pay (P2P). Withholdings are typically 14%.
• 1099 – Sent by mail by the end of January. Fellows can expect to receive it in early February. There is not an option to provide it electronically.
• 1042-S – Provided electronically via FNIS by March 15. Must opt in.

Jones Graduate School: PHD Students: Melinda Peña, [email protected] ; MBA Students: Rebeca Reyes, [email protected]

Where to go for help

Graduate Student Payment Checklist - https://rice.app.box.com/s/m7kc8xm21tthrbnep3fn5nda8yomwolp Graduate Student Pay Report: https://emdz.fa.us2. oraclecloud.com/analytics/saw. dll?Portal&PortalPath=% 2Fshared%2FCustom% 2FimagineOne%20Data%20and% 20Analytics%2FHCM%2FPayroll% 2FGrad%20Student%20Pay% 20Report%20-%20Students% 2FGraduate%20Student%20Pay% 20Report

Link to the employee contact page

Link to Update Family and Emergency Contacts

Please review the resources available here (note fellow information begins on page 3).

Updated August 2023

• PhD Salary in UK – Explained
• Funding a PhD

What Are PhD Salaries?

The average cost of undertaking a PhD in the UK is approximately £20,000 per academic year for UK students and £40,000 for international students. To help offset the cost of this, many students question whether undertaking a doctorate comes with a PhD salary.

The salary of a PhD student is governed by three factors: whether they’re assisting in undergraduate teaching, assisting in research, or have secured a PhD with a stipend. Depending on which of the three categories a student falls within, they will receive an income during their studies, however, the amount will differ by a substantial amount.

To help show you how you can fund your postgraduate degree and how much you can expect to earn whilst doing so, carry on reading below.

Types of PhD Salaries

There are three types of PhD degree salaries:

• Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) . In exchange for a salary, you’ll be required to assist in the delivery of one or more courses over a number of years. This includes, but is not limited to, marking student tutorials, supervising lab experiments and providing support to undergraduates during office hours. Besides this, you may have to teach a small section of the course itself. You can discover more about GTAs on King’s College London’s website.
• Research Assistantships (RAs) . In exchange for a salary, you assist a departmental professor with their research. In the ideal scenario, the professor you work with should also be your PhD supervisor and the research you’re asked to support with relates to your own doctoral project.
• Stipend via Studentship: A stipend is a non-repayable grant provided to doctoral students to help support their studies. A studentship covers a student’s tuition fees whilst a stipend covers a PhD student’s living costs. This includes outgoings such as rent, food, bills and basic travel. Unlike Graduate Teaching or Research Assistantships, stipends rarely have duties attached to them. The only expectation of receiving a stipend will be that you maintain continuous progress within your degree.

It’s worth noting these earning opportunities can be also be combined. For example, it’s possible to be a research assistant whilst also committing time to teach undergraduate students.

Average PhD Salary in UK

The average PhD student salary for teaching assistantships will vary depending on the level of responsibility you’re taking. However, to provide figures, past doctoral students have reported receiving approx. £10/hr for marking tutorials, £15/hr for leading laboratory sessions and up to £20/hr for leading undergraduate classes and tutorials.

The actual amount you can earn from teaching assistance will depend on the rate your department offers and the hours you can realistically take on. If you’re on a Graduate Teaching Assistantship programme, they will require you to dedicate a set number of hours per week. If you’re not on a GTA but would still like to earn an income through this scheme, you will likely need to commit several hours per week consistently. Although this can be a great way to earn whilst you study, you need to make sure you manage your time effectively as to not become overwhelmed by taking on an additional commitment.

The average salary for research assistantships will vary depending on the field of the doctoral degree you are enrolled in. Usually, these positions pay between £25,000 to £30,000 per year, however, it’s possible to come across positions which sit slightly outside of this. As a general rule of thumb, STEM assistors are paid more than non-STEM assistors.

In the UK, PhD students can receive a stipend which varies between £15,000 and £18,000 per annum. As part of the studentship your stipend is provided under, your tuition fees will also be paid for. UK tuition fees will vary between universities but are approximately £4,500 per year for doctoral courses starting in 2021/22 as per the UKRI recommendations .

Although £15,000 to £18,000 per year is the typical range for a stipend, some can be far greater than this. For example, Wellcome Trust , a research-charity based in London, offers an annual stipend of up to £23,300 and £26,000 for doctoral students located outside and within London, respectively.

Are PhD Salaries Taxed?

PhD stipends are tax free. Therefore, you don’t need to pay any income tax nor do you need to make any national insurance contributions. This means you’ll keep all the money you receive from an annual stipend. However, this is not the case for Research Assistants.

In the UK, Research Assistants are employed as university staff members and are paid a direct salary as opposed to a stipend. As a result, it will require you to pay tax on your earnings and make national insurance contributions.

To put this into perspective, for the 2019/20 UK tax year, you’re required to pay a 20% tax on any income above £12,500 but less than £50,000. You’re also required to make national insurance contributions of 12% of your weekly earnings over £166 but less than £962. This means that an annual Research Assistantship salary of £30,000 will equate to a take-home salary of £23,938 per year.

How to Get a PhD Stipend

To find research positions which offer stipends, we recommend you search our PhD database and filter by ‘funded’ positions.

Besides this, you can also secure a studentship from UK Research Councils or directly from your university as a scholarship. Independent organisations, such as charities and research trusts, and innovative firms within your industry also offer funding. You can read our PhD studentship guide to see how these work or our Where to find a PhD guide for further ideas.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Get a Research Assistantship PhD

Unfortunately, research assistantships opportunities aren’t as common to come across compared to PhD stipends. Besides this, when they are available, they’re predominantly in STEM subjects such as computer science and engineering. The reason for this is these subjects usually have access to greater research grants and have a greater volume of practical work available.

To find a research assistantship, we recommend that you contact the university departments who host the courses you’re interested in directly. This is because research assistantships help professors with their research, and while they may require help, they may not be openly advertising for it. They may, therefore, be able to create a role for you within their department or put you into contact with one of their colleagues who already has an open position.

International Students

It’s worth noting that international students will have a harder time securing a funded PhD position than UK ‘home’ students will. This is largely because there are usually fewer funding opportunities available to international students, which as a result also attract significant competition.

Besides this, if you’re an international student studying in the UK you will most likely than not be on a Tier 4 visa. Although a Tier 4 visa will allow you to work to earn an additional income alongside any studentship you may have, there will be certain restrictions on what you can and can’t do. For example, during term-time, you won’t be allowed to work more than 20 hours per week. For a full list of restrictions, please refer to the government website.

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Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate.  Find training and development opportunities .

Last updated: 14 February 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

Who's getting student loan forgiveness after $7.7 billion in relief? Here's a breakdown

Student loan borrowers should keep eyes on their accounts in the coming months as the Biden administration pushes forward with student loan relief initiatives.

Following the Supreme Court's block on Biden's initial forgiveness program in 2023, the administration has continued to implement a series of programs to assist some of the 43.2 million borrowers struggling under America's $1.6 trillion in federal student loan debt.

Earlier this year, changes were made to the income-driven repayment Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, giving borrowers who originally took out $12,000 or less a chance to have loans completely wiped after 10 years of paying.

Earlier this month, the administration also announced an additional $7.7 billion in forgiveness for undergraduate loan holders, a precursor to another cut set to take place in July.

Having trouble keeping up with all of the changes and programs? Here's what to know.

Learn more: Best personal loans

Biden admin announces $7.7 billion in student loan debt relief

On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced an additional $7.7 billion in loan debt relief was approved for 160,500 borrowers. This will bring the total amount of debt forgiveness up to $167 billion for 4.75 million student loan borrowers, or 1 in 10 debt holders, according to the Department of Education.

Additionally, the administration is working on expanding and contacting eligible borrowers to get a SAVE plan, which currently has 7.7 million borrowers enrolled, 4.3 million of whom have $0 payments, according to the  Department of Education .

Is college worth it: The answer for half of Americans is striking.

Who qualifies for the new $7.7 billion debt relief?

The student loan relief will cover debts in three categories of borrowers:

• $5.1 billion: 66,900 borrowers receiving Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), which helps people working in public service or nonprofit, will receive relief.
• $613 million: 54,300 borrowers who signed up for President Biden’s SAVE Plan and have smaller loans for post-secondary education. Borrowers can receive relief after at least 10 years of payments if they originally borrowed $12,000 or less.
• $1.9 billion: 39,300 borrowers will receive forgiveness on income-driven repayment (IDR) as a result of fixes meant to address concerns about the misuse of forbearance by loan servicers.

Some student loan payments cut in half come July

Undergraduate loan borrowers will have an additional opportunity to get some relief come July , when changes to the percentage you are expected to pay each month based on income will go into place.

Currently, those on a SAVE Plan pay 10% of their discretionary income monthly. Discretionary income is calculated by finding the difference between adjusted gross income and an income that is 225% of the federal poverty line.

In 2024, the federal poverty line is considered $15,060 a year for a single person, according to the  Department of Health and Human Services . That means that 225% of the federal poverty line for a one-person household is $33,885. To find the discretionary income for a single-person household, then, you would simply subtract that amount from the adjusted gross annual income. The difference between the two is the number you're looking for.

A one-person household with a yearly gross income of $50,000 before taxes would have a discretionary income of $16,115, for example. Ten percent of that would be about $1,611, which when divided by 12 would mean the monthly payment via a SAVE plan would come out to about $134.

Come July, however, that monthly percentage will be reduced to 5%, essentially cutting monthly payments in half for many. Now, in the example above, the borrower would owe around $67 a month.

These changes apply to borrowers with undergraduate student loan debt who are enrolled in a SAVE plan. People with both undergraduate and graduate school loans will have payments of 5% to 10% calculated based on the original loan balances. Those with only graduate loans will still have payments of 10% of their discretionary income. 

How to know if you're eligible for forgiveness or relief

The Biden administration has said people eligible for a piece of the $7.7 billion in relief will receive notice via email. Actual balance and account changes will then take a few weeks to appear.

Those wondering if they will see a change in their bill in July can sign into their SAVE Plan account to check their status and eligibility.

How to sign up for SAVE

Enrollment in a SAVE Plan can be done online via studentaid.gov/idr.

SAVE plans are income-driven repayment (IDR) plans that have monthly payments determined by a borrower's income and family size. These plans are often more affordable than default options which do not inherently take your income and ability to pay into account.

SAVE plans have additional benefits such as eliminating 100% of the remaining monthly interest for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans after you make a full scheduled payment, stopping your outstanding balances from growing due to accruing interest rates.

SAVE also gives borrowers the option to exclude spousal income for those who are married but file taxes separately. This way, monthly payments can be determined solely on your personal outcome and spouses do not need to cosign IDR applications.

Who is eligible for SAVE?

Multiple parameters determine eligibility for a SAVE Plan, most of which are outlined on the studentaid.gov website.

Generally speaking, however, the SAVE Plan is available to federal student borrowers with direct student loans. It is not available for private loans or Parent PLUS loans unless the Parent PLUS loans are already consolidated. Applicants must also be in good standing with servicers.

Federal loans that are generally eligible for a SAVE Plan include:

• Direct Subsidized Loans
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans made to graduate or professional students
• Direct Consolidation Loans that did not repay any PLUS loans made to parents
• Consolidates loans from the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Programs, including Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Stafford Loans, FFEL Plus Loans and FFEL Consolidation Loans.

Some college graduates only need to make a $50,000 salary for a decade for their degrees to be worth it

• College degrees are under fire given the pain of student debt and political and economic troubles.
• Some public university graduates only need to earn over $50,000 for a decade to make a return.
• Graduates pay more to live in popular states but they can win due to better job markets there.

Crushing debt , political furor , and a brutal economic backdrop of historic inflation and higher borrowing costs have fueled fresh skepticism about the value of a college degree.

Yet, stumping up the cash for one may still be worth it financially if it results in significantly higher earnings. That's especially true for public universities that charge in-state tuition: their average alumnus only has to make $50,000 a year during the decade after graduation to make a positive return on their investment, The Wall Street Journal reported , citing new research from Strada Education Foundation.

Alternatively, graduates who can amass $500,000 before taxes over 10 years typically come out ahead and can repay their student loans. The finding holds for state-school graduates across sectors, The Journal said.

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"As long as you're above that $50,000, even in the most expensive states, you'll still have that positive return on investment," Nichole Torpey-Saboe, Strada's vice president of research, told the newspaper.

It costs more to live in states like New York and California, but recent graduates can still outearn their peers because of the superior job markets in those states, which often provide better access to internships and entry-level roles.

Strada found that around 80% of state-school graduates in those states scored a return on their college investment, compared to 60% in West Virginia and just over 50% in Idaho, The Journal said.

The nonprofit also revealed that community college doesn't provide as big an earnings bump, and private nonprofit universities tend to be more expensive at $8,000 a year and another $11,000 for room and board.

Taking out a student loan and getting a four-year degree can be daunting for many people, as student loans can haunt borrowers for decades, and college campuses have become a hotspot for protests and political clashes. The prices of food, fuel, and housing have all soared, and monthly payments on credit cards, cars, and mortgages have jumped.

But an affordable degree that bolsters someone's earnings potential and career prospects without breaking the bank can still pay off nicely.

Watch: Student loans are canceled for former students of Corinthian Colleges

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Interest on Federal Student Loans Is Rising to 6.53%

The rate for undergraduate loans is up from 5.5 percent this past school year and higher than it has been in more than a decade.

By Ann Carrns

This has already been a challenging year for college applicants, starting with the problems with a crucial federal form that delayed financial aid offers. Now, students and families have more to worry about: The cost of borrowing for college for the next school year is rising to the highest rate in more than a decade.

The interest rate on new federal student loans for undergraduates will be 6.53 percent as of July 1, up from 5.5 percent this year, the Education Department announced last week.

Rates on loans for graduate and professional students will rise to 8.08 percent. And rates on PLUS loans — extra financing available to parents of undergraduate students as well as to graduate students — will increase to 9.08 percent.

Rates on federal student loans are based on a formula, set by Congress, that takes the high yield on the 10-year Treasury note from an auction in May, plus a fixed, added rate, depending on the type of loan. The yield at the May 8 auction was 4.483 percent, plus an added 2.05 percent for undergraduate loans. (The yield last year in the Treasury auction was 3.448. Add-on rates are higher for graduate and PLUS loans.)

Interest rates generally have remained high as the Federal Reserve has battled inflation . Still, the new student loan rates seem especially steep compared with just a few years ago, said Mark Kantrowitz, a financial-aid expert. In the 2020-21 academic year, the rate on undergraduate loans was 2.75 percent. Still, rates were as high as 14 percent in the early 1980s, Mr. Kantrowitz said.

The new rates apply to loans borrowed from July 1 through June 2025 and remain fixed for the life of the loan. They don’t apply to loans that students have already taken out.

The increase translates into roughly an extra $5 in the monthly payment on $10,000 in debt over a 10-year repayment term, Mr. Kantrowitz calculated.

The rates are increasing amid rising concern about student debt and the high cost of college. As of early 2024, almost 43 million borrowers held an average of about $37,850 in federal student debt, according to Federal Student Aid , an office of the Education Department.

In a survey published Thursday by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, nearly half of American adults (47 percent) said a college degree was worth the cost but only if someone didn’t have to take out loans to attend. Fewer than a quarter (22 percent) said it was worth the cost even if someone had to borrow.

Pew also analyzed federal data and found that households headed by a young high school graduate had a typical net worth of $30,700 in 2022, compared with $120,200 for those headed by a young college graduate.

Michele Shepard Zampini, senior director of college affordability at the nonprofit Institute for College Access and Success, said students should keep the new federal loan rates — and borrowing for college — in perspective.

“The rates are higher than we’d like, but it’s not a deal breaker,” she said. “I’d never want to see someone not go to college just because it meant taking on federal student loans,” she added.

The institute advises borrowers to “borrow what you need” to cover costs and to participate fully in college, Ms. Zampini said. In general, you can borrow up to $31,000 in federal loans as an undergraduate student who is dependent on your family for support. (The amount you can borrow is capped each year, and limits are higher for independent students.)

Some students may try to borrow much less, thinking they can work more to cover costs. But that often “works to the detriment of the student,” Ms. Zampini said, because students may have to work so much they fall behind in their classes. “It’s definitely a balance.”

Students should compare the costs of different colleges and consider choosing less expensive alternatives — perhaps a state school rather than a private one — to manage their costs, Ms. Zampini said. Check a school’s graduation rates and career outlook. If students generally take longer than four years to graduate, the degree will cost more money. (One place to look this up is the Education Department’s online College Scorecard .)

The new, more generous federal student loan repayment plan, known as SAVE, offers a “safety valve” if you worry about affording your loan payments, Ms. Zampini said. With SAVE , which stands for Saving on a Valuable Education, payments are based on earnings and household size. After you make monthly payments for a certain number of years — as few as 10, depending on the amount borrowed — any remaining balance is forgiven.

For some low-income workers, payments under SAVE can be reduced to zero. And if a borrower’s monthly payment doesn’t cover the interest owed, the Education Department will cancel the uncovered portion of the interest. The loan balance doesn’t grow because of unpaid interest.

Saving in a 529 plan can help reduce the amount borrowed. A 529 plan is a tax-favored savings account intended to help cover the cost of college. Contributions to the accounts, named for part of the tax code, grow tax free and can be withdrawn tax free to pay for costs like tuition, housing, meals and books. (There’s no federal tax deduction for 529 contributions, but many states offer tax breaks.)

“529s are a good tool in the toolbox,” said Tony Kure, managing director for the northeastern Ohio market at the wealth management firm Johnson Investment Counsel.

Mr. Kure recommends opening a 529 when a child is born to give as much time as possible for the funds to grow before college. If you have more than one child, he advises opening a separate account for each.

Many 529 plans offer promotions or incentives to save during May, so now is a good time to research accounts if you’ve been considering opening one.

Here are some questions and answers about student loans:

How much should I borrow for college?

Aim for total student debt that is less than your expected annual starting salary, Mr. Kantrowitz said. If your debt is less than your income, he said, you should be able to repay your student loans in 10 years or less. To get an idea of what you might earn, check out the Labor Department ’s data on pay by occupation. Another place to look is a report on pay based on college majors published last year by HEA Group, a research and consulting firm.

Can I get better rates on private student loans?

Rates on some private student loans — those offered by banks rather than the federal government — may be competitive with the new federal rates for borrowers with stellar credit (scores of 780 or higher), Mr. Kantrowitz said. But private loans can be riskier because they lack the protections offered by federal loans, like the ability to seek a pause in payments during a financial setback, payment plans tied to your income and options to have some of the debt forgiven.

Can I deduct student loan interest on my federal tax return?

You can generally deduct up to $2,500 in interest paid on federal and private student loans, even if you don’t itemize on your return, Mr. Kantrowitz said.

A Guide to Making Better Financial Moves

Making sense of your finances can be complicated. the tips below can help..

Inheriting money after the death of a loved one while also grieving can be an emotional minefield, particularly for younger adults. Experts share ways to handle it wisely .

Either by choice or because they are priced out of the market, many people plan to never stop renting. Building wealth without home equity  requires a different mind-set.

You may feel richer as you pay your mortgage down and home values go up. As a result, some homeowners end up with a lot of home equity but low retirement savings. Here’s the problem  with that situation.

Can your investment portfolio reflect your values? If you want it to, it is becoming easier with each passing year .

The way advisers handle your retirement money is about to change: More investment professionals will be required to act in their customers’ best interest  when providing advice about their retirement money.

The I.R.S. estimates that 940,000 people who didn’t file their tax returns  in 2020 are due back money. The deadline for filing to get it is May 17.

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Private student loan interest rates continue to fall for 5-year loans

The latest private student loan interest rates from the Credible marketplace, updated weekly. ( iStock )

During the week of May 13, 2024, average private student loan rates increased for borrowers with credit scores of 720 or higher who used the Credible marketplace to take out 10-year fixed-rate loans and decreased for 5-year variable-rate loans.

• 10-year fixed rate: 8.57%, up from 8.14% the week before, +0.43
• 5-year variable rate: 7.47%, down from 8.54% the week before, -1.07

Through Credible, you can compare private student loan rates from multiple lenders.

For 10-year fixed private student loans, interest rates rose by nearly half a percentage point, while 5-year variable student loan interest fell by just over a full percentage point.

Borrowers with good credit may find a lower rate with a private student loan than with some federal loans. For the 2023-24 academic school year, federal student loan rates will range from 5.50% to 8.05%. Private student loan rates for borrowers with good to excellent credit can be lower right now.

Because federal loans come with certain benefits, like access to income-driven repayment plans, you should always exhaust federal student loan options first before turning to private student loans to cover any funding gaps. Private lenders such as banks, credit unions, and online lenders provide private student loans. You can use private loans to pay for education costs and living expenses, which might not be covered by your federal education loans. 

Interest rates and terms on private student loans can vary depending on your financial situation, credit history, and the lender you choose.

Take a look at Credible partner lenders’ rates for borrowers who used the Credible marketplace to select a lender during the week of May 13:

Private student loan rates (graduate and undergraduate)

Who sets federal and private interest rates?

Congress sets federal student loan interest rates each year. These fixed interest rates depend on the type of federal loan you take out, your dependency status and your year in school.

Private student loan interest rates can be fixed or variable and depend on your credit, repayment term and other factors. As a general rule, the better your credit score, the lower your interest rate is likely to be.  

You can compare rates from multiple student loan lenders using Credible.

How does student loan interest work?

An interest rate is a percentage of the loan periodically tacked onto your balance — essentially the cost of borrowing money. Interest is one way lenders can make money from loans. Your monthly payment often pays interest first, with the rest going to the amount you initially borrowed (the principal). 

Getting a low interest rate could help you save money over the life of the loan and pay off your debt faster.

What is a fixed- vs. variable-rate loan?

Here’s the difference between a fixed and variable rate:

• With a fixed rate, your monthly payment amount will stay the same over the course of your loan term.
• With a variable rate, your payments might rise or fall based on changing interest rates.

Comparison shopping for private student loan rates is easy when you use Credible.

Calculate your savings

Using a student loan interest calculator will help you estimate your monthly payments and the total amount you’ll owe over the life of your federal or private student loans.

Once you enter your information, you’ll be able to see what your estimated monthly payment will be, the total you’ll pay in interest over the life of the loan and the total amount you’ll pay back. 

About Credible

Credible is a multi-lender marketplace that empowers consumers to discover financial products that are the best fit for their unique circumstances. Credible’s integrations with leading lenders and credit bureaus allow consumers to quickly compare accurate, personalized loan options – without putting their personal information at risk or affecting their credit score. The Credible marketplace provides an unrivaled customer experience, as reflected by over 4,300 positive Trustpilot reviews and a TrustScore of 4.7/5.

Florida State University

FSU | The Graduate School

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The graduate school.

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International Admissions

We are now accepting Graduate applications for Fall 2024, and Spring 2025.* *Please contact your department for application open terms and deadlines.

Our community welcomes you

Each year, the university enrolls approximately 1,700 international students. We are proud to offer extensive support and services to our international population. International applicants should plan to apply early so they have ample time to obtain their immigration documents and make living arrangements in the U.S. Any F-1/J-1 students planning to obtain their I-20/DS-2019 should contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected] . Please check with your department regarding deadlines. 

International Admissions Requirements

In addition to meeting graduate university admissions requirements, international applicants must also meet the following University requirements to be considered for admission. 

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. The following are the minimum scores required for admission to the University, although some departments require higher scores at the graduate level: 

Internet based TOEFL ( IBTOEFL ): 80 

Paper based TOEFL ( TOEFL ): 550 

International English Language Testing System ( Academic IELTS ): 6.5 

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ): 55 

Duolingo : 120 (Summer 2022 and Forward)

Cambridge C1 Advanced Level : 180  (Fall 2022 and Forward)

Michigan Language Assessment : 55  (Fall 2022 and Forward)

Although official scores are required, most departments will begin to review your application with self-reported scores, while they are waiting for the official scores to arrive. You can self-report your scores on your Online Status Page, after you submit your application. 

The English Language Proficiency requirement can be waived, at the University-level, for applicants who have earned a minimum of a BA or higher in the US or in an English-Speaking Country. Please note, your department may still require proof of English-Language proficiency. *A variety of countries are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement.

Transcript and Credential Evaluation Requirements

All transcripts/academic records that are not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations. 

To be considered "certified," documents should be true copies that are signed and dated by an educational official familiar with academic records. Any translated record should be literal and not an interpretive translation. Documents signed by a notary or other public official with no educational affiliation will not be accepted. 

If the transcript/academic record does not indicate the degree earned and date the degree was awarded, separate proof of degree is required. 

International applicants or degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through the SpanTran pathway portal, or from another NACES approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for Florida State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Florida State University recommends SpanTran as our preferred credential evaluation because it offers an easy way to streamline the application process.

Please read more about our general transcript requirements on our  Graduate Admissions page. 

International Transfer Credit

International transfer credit is awarded for coursework completed at an accredited (recognized) institution of higher learning. No credit is awarded for technical, vocational, or below-college-level coursework, or courses completed with grades below "D-." An official course-by-course evaluation is required for all academic records from non-U.S. institutions. We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the  National Association of Credential Evaluation Services . 

SUPPORT TO HELP YOU THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS.

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) and its staff are here to serve international students and their families. They may advise you about:

• F and J visa requirements
• Cultural adjustment
• Employment matters
• Housing assistance
• Assistance with personal concerns
• Maintaining your visa status

Many academic programs only accept applications for a specific admit term. Contact your academic department to determine which admit term to apply. It is recommended that you submit your application as soon as the admit term opens. CGE also assists students throughout the New International Student Checklist and Process . You may learn more about what CGE has to offer by emailing [email protected] . 

Center for Intensive English Studies

Need to improve your English skills? FSU’s Center for Intensive English Studies can help! At CIES, you will be given personalized instruction by highly qualified teachers in a safe, friendly environment.

Please note that admission to and completion of the CIES program does not necessarily guarantee admission to the University as a degree-seeking student.

CIES also offers:

• TEFL certification  opportunities
• Credit-bearing courses and workshops  to enhance your English speaking ability

Learn more about how the Center for Intensive English Studies can help you.  

Florida State University is required by U.S. federal regulations to verify the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Form I-20. If granted admission to the University, an email with instructions on how to complete the I-20 will be sent from the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). You will provide information verifying your financial support (bank statements, award letters, scholarships, etc.) through the I-20 application. FSU requires proof of financial support for the first year of study and demonstrated availability of funds for the length of your academic program

Estimated International Student Costs:

For more information on estimated costs of living and the I-20 process, please visit  CGE’s website .  

I-20 Application

Shortly after admission, students will receive an email with instructions for completing the online I-20 application to demonstrate proof of adequate funding. Florida State University is required by U.S. federal regulations to verify the financial resources of each applicant prior to issuing the Form I-20. Applicants must show proof of financial support for the first year of study and confirm availability of funds for the length of the academic program.

For more information, contact the Center for Global Engagement at [email protected] .

US Federal Grants and Loans are not Awarded to International Students

Graduate students may apply to their respective departments for assistantships or fellowships, although funds are very limited. For further information, please contact your academic department directly. 

SPEAK (Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit) is a test for evaluating the English speaking ability of non-native speakers of English. At FSU, the SPEAK test is administered by the Center for Intensive English Studies to international students who have been appointed or will be appointed as teaching assistants in an academic department at Florida State University.

For more information, click here .

  Explore Funding Opportunities 

May the TOEFL be waived?

The TOEFL may only be waived as a test requirement if the student has received a bachelor's or master's degree from a U.S. institution.

Can you review my documents prior to applying?

Students must submit the application, application fee, and any required departmental materials for application materials to be reviewed.

Can the application fee be waived?

Unfortunately, the Office of Admissions is unable to waive the application fee payment for graduate applicants.  In order to complete your application for review, you must submit the application fee payment by logging in to your Application Status Check ,  along with any other documents required by the department. 

When will I receive a decision?

Applications are reviewed holistically by each graduate department. Please contact your department for information about decision timelines. Please note that the application must first be completed before it can be reviewed. Contact your department for more information.

Can the GRE be waived?

FSU is currently waiving the GRE requirement for most master’s and specialist programs through Fall 2026*. For more information on whether the requirement can be waived, please contact your graduate department. 

* Excludes the College of Business

What if I don’t meet the English Language Proficiency score requirements?

​​​​​​ The FSU Center of Intensive English Studies (CIES) offers comprehensive courses to help students improve their English skills. Students who complete the top-level of the CIES program will not have to take an English Language Proficiency test.

What is the F-1 visa/I-20 process?

• Students can learn more about the I-20 process here .
• Students can learn about the visa here .

Do you have funding available for International students?

• The Graduate School offers fellowship and grant opportunities for graduate students. For current FSU students, the  Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards  assists in identifying and applying for external funding opportunities. In addition,  here is some more information  about additional funding opportunities for international students. 
• There may also be additional funding opportunities through your department. Please contact your graduate representative for assistance. If you do not know who to contact, please email us at [email protected] for assistance.

Are there on-campus housing opportunities?

University housing costs are not included in the tuition and fees at Florida State University. If you want the option of living on campus, you can apply for housing online as soon as you are officially admitted to FSU. Housing at university-owned residence halls and apartments fill quickly. You can also find off-campus housing options by clicking here .

More From Forbes

7 critical student loan forgiveness dates in 2024 borrowers should know about.

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WASHINGTON, DC August 24, 2022: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on student loan forgiveness ... [+] at the White House on August 24, 2022. The Biden administration is rolling out a number if initiatives providing debt relief to borrowers in the coming months. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Several key student loan forgiveness dates are approaching over the next several months. The Biden administration has changed or extended deadlines for critical debt relief programs, including as recently as this month . These changes give borrowers more time to seek relief under key initiatives, but also can lead to confusion as the landscape seems to be constantly shifting.

Meanwhile, the Education Department is preparing to roll out a new student loan forgiveness plan later this year. The administration completed a key step earlier this month, and borrowers could start receiving relief soon — if the program actually gets implemented.

Here are the key dates student loan borrowers need to know about.

Consolidation Deadline For Student Loan Forgiveness Under Account Adjustment Extended To June 30

Earlier this month, the Biden administration announced it is extending a critical deadline associated with the IDR Account Adjustment. This temporary initiative was established to address problems with income-driven repayment plans. Typically, IDR plans can result in student loan forgiveness after 20 or 25 years in repayment. But administrative, servicing, and oversight issues caused many borrowers to lose progress toward loan forgiveness, while their balances often ballooned due to interest-capitalizing forbearances.

Under the IDR Account Adjustment, the Education Department will count prior loan periods toward a borrower’s IDR loan forgiveness term that may not have counted before, such as past periods of non-IDR repayment as well as certain forbearance or deferment periods. These periods could also count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, as well. PSLF can shorten the timeframe for student loan forgiveness to as little as 10 years for borrowers who pursue careers in the nonprofit or public sectors.

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Certain borrowers who have federal student loans not directly administered by the Education Department — such as borrowers with HEAL loans, Perkins loans, or privately-owned FFEL loans — must consolidate those loans through the federal Direct consolidation program. Direct loan consolidation would effectively convert those loans into a government-owned student loan, making it eligible for the benefits of the IDR Account Adjustment. The deadline to apply to consolidate had been April 30. But a few days after that, the Biden administration extended this deadline to June 30. So borrowers who missed the boat now have a few extra weeks to apply.

Student Loan Forgiveness Processing Under PSLF Will Resume In July

The PSLF program is currently suspended as the Education Department transitions to a long-planned new PSLF servicing platform.

For several years, the PSLF program was administered by MOHELA, one of the Education Department’s contracted loan servicers. But the department wants borrowers to be able to access PSLF information without having to transfer servicers. To that end, the department started moving PSLF data from MOHELA to StudentAid.gov earlier this month. Most borrowers will keep MOHELA as their loan servicer, but their PSLF information (such as qualifying payment counts and employment summaries) will eventually be accessible through StudentAid.gov, rather than through their online MOHELA account.

During the transition, borrowers have lost access to their PSLF data. In addition, the department is not processing any PSLF employment certifications, and is unable to approve student loan forgiveness under the program. Borrowers can continue to submit PSLF forms, but they will not be reviewed until the transition is completed.

After July 1, the department will resume processing PSLF employment certifications and loan forgiveness requests, and borrowers should be able to access their PSLF data. However, advocates are concerned about anticipated processing delays associated with backlogs, and potential problems if PSLF data is lost or corrupted during the transition.

Student Loan Payments May Drop In July Under Biden’s SAVE Plan

More than eight million borrowers have now enrolled in SAVE, President Biden’s new income-driven repayment plan that officials have billed as the most affordable plan ever created. SAVE has replaced the older Revised Pay As You Earn plan, and is designed to be more affordable than other IDR plans such as Income-Based Repayment. All IDR plans, including SAVE, can result in eventual student loan forgiveness (typically after 20 or 25 years).

SAVE has several beneficial features, including a larger income exclusion based on a relatively higher percentage of the federal poverty limit. SAVE also has a significant interest subsidy that will prevent future balance increases by cancelling accrued interest that exceeds a borrower’s monthly payment. And SAVE has an accelerated student loan forgiveness provision for borrowers who took out small amounts of debt.

But starting on July 1, a new formula under SAVE will go into effect, which may result in even lower payments for millions of borrowers. For those who have only undergraduate student loans, the new formula will result in monthly payments being reduced by 50 percent — a significant reduction. Borrowers with a mix of graduate student loans and undergraduate student loans will also see a reduction, but the exact amount of the reduction will depend on the weighted average of their undergraduate and graduate school loans. Those who have only graduate school loans will see no changes to their payments under SAVE.

PAYE and ICR Enrollments End On July 1, Which May Matter For Student Loan Forgiveness

As part of the final steps of implementing the new SAVE plan, the Education Department will also be ending most new enrollments in two older IDR plans — Pay As You Earn (known as PAYE) and Income-Contingent Repayment (known as ICR). The cutoff date is July 1.

For most borrowers, this won’t matter. That’s because SAVE is designed to be much more affordable than other IDR plans, including PAYE and ICR. So for many individuals, SAVE is the best option, and losing access to other IDR programs won’t make a difference.

But for a subset of borrowers, this cutoff is important. That’s because PAYE has a 20-year IDR student loan forgiveness term for all borrowers. In contrast, SAVE has a 20-year loan forgiveness only for undergraduate borrowers; borrowers who have any graduate school loans would be on a 25-year loan forgiveness term under SAVE — and that extra five years in repayment could be costly, especially if they occur during a borrower’s peak earning years. In addition, PAYE has a cap or upper limit on payments, while SAVE does not — another significant difference that could, in some cases, make SAVE a more costly plan for higher-income borrowers as compared to PAYE.

In certain cases, ICR can sometimes also be more affordable than SAVE, as well. This isn’t common, but it typically happens when a borrower has a relatively small loan balance compared to their income. In that instance, a different ICR formula kicks in, which can result in comparatively lower payments than under SAVE.

Borrowers already enrolled in PAYE or ICR can remain in those plans if they want. And Parent PLUS borrowers can continue to enroll in ICR if they consolidate their loans through the federal Direct consolidation program. But starting on July 1, all other borrowers not enrolled in those plans will no longer be able to do so. So now is the time to carefully evaluate your IDR options.

Student Loan Forgiveness Implementation Under Account Adjustment To Be Completed By September

Following the Biden administration’s recent extension of the consolidation deadline for the IDR Account Adjustment, the Education Department now anticipates completing implementation of loan forgiveness under the adjustment by September. Previously, the department indicated that it expected the program to wrap up by July.

“The U.S. Department of Education (ED) currently expects that the payment count adjustment will be completed by Sept. 1, 2024,” says updated department guidance . “When we implement the adjustment, it will automatically be applied to all Direct Loans and FFEL Program loans that are managed by ED at that time. This includes Direct Consolidation Loans that repaid a privately held Perkins or FFEL Program loan and that are disbursed before the adjustment occurs.”

Borrowers who don’t qualify for immediate student loan forgiveness under the account adjustment can still receive and retain retroactive IDR credit. But they will need to enroll in an IDR plan — if they are not already — to continue making progress toward loan forgiveness. Sometime after September 1, the department intends to publish IDR payment counts and progress indicators through a new dashboard available through StudentAid.gov.

Fresh Start By September 30 To Receive Student Loan Forgiveness Credit

Borrowers in default on their federal student loans currently have a new pathway back to good standing. The Fresh Start program is a Biden administration initiative that allows borrowers to restore their federal student loans to regular repayment simply by contacting their loan holder. Fresh Start also can eliminate collections fees and negative credit reporting associated with the loan’s default status.

But the Fresh Start program is a one-time initiative, and is set to end on September 30. At that time, there will be fewer default resolution options, and the department can resume collections activities — including pursuing wage garnishment or intercepting tax refunds. Importantly, borrowers who get out of default through either Fresh Start or Direct loan consolidation by the September 30 deadline could receive credit toward IDR student loan forgiveness all the way back to March 2020.

“Borrowers who exit default prior to the end of the Fresh Start period will receive the full benefit of the payment count adjustment and receive credit for periods in default from March 2020 through the month they exit default,” says the department. “After the Fresh Start period, only borrowers who rehabilitate to leave default will benefit from the adjustment, but they will not receive credit for periods in default during the payment pause.”

Biden’s New Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Should Arrive This Fall, With A Caveat

The Education Department is in the final stages of rolling out a massive new student loan forgiveness plan . The new program, which is being implemented under the Higher Education Act, has gone through a lengthy rulemaking process that Biden administration officials hope will put it on stronger legal footing than Biden’s first student debt relief plan, which wound up being blocked by the courts.

The new loan forgiveness program will be broad, potentially benefiting 25 to 30 million borrowers. But it will target relief to specific groups of borrowers, such as those whose balances have increased significantly due to interest accrual, people facing significant hardships, and individuals who first entered repayment at least two decades ago.

The administration completed a key step in the process earlier in May when it closed a period of public comment on proposed draft regulations. This summer, the department is expected to publish the final version of the rules governing the program. After that, the administration should launch the new loan forgiveness initiative in the fall, likely in October — but possibly as early as September. Whether the program actually results in loan forgiveness, however, will probably depend on how widely-expected legal challenges play out in federal courts.

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