Detailed information and application forms for all of these programs may be obtained from the Graduate School (734.487.0042) or on the Website at www.gradschool.emich.edu.
Note: Students admitted as non-degree, condition 4, continuing education, some visa holders (H-1 and H-4, for example) or teaching certification students may not receive graduate assistantships, scholarships or fellowships.
The Graduate Assistantship Program, administered by the Graduate School, provides financial support, academic training and work experience to graduate students. To be eligible for a graduate assistantship, applicants must be admitted to a graduate degree-granting program and demonstrate the skills required by an academic or administrative department. Appointments for assistantships are made for up to four enrollment periods, depending on the recommendation and approval of the Graduate School. Receipt of a graduate assistantship may reduce eligibility for student loans. Graduate assistants must maintain a minimum 3. 0 cumulative GPA, enroll in a minimum of six credit hours, and make progress toward completing a graduate program of study.
Two types of assistantships are available. Departmental assistantship applicants are recommended to the Graduate School by the sponsoring unit. These awards provide experiential learning opportunities for the recipient and may include involvement in ongoing faculty research, instructional activities, or administrative work.
There are a limited number of graduate assistantships that are federally funded for students who qualify for need-based financial assistance. Interested applicants must submit G. A. application materials, as well as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for consideration.
Graduate assistantships are available to highly qualified students in academic disciplines in which populations have been traditionally underrepresented. The University encourages the application and enrollment of diverse populations and recognizes the need for well-trained scholars and administrators.
Applicants must submit to the Graduate School the Graduate Student Financial Assistance Application form and related documentation noted on the form. Most G. A. positions are awarded by the academic departments in the fall for the academic year. Applications are due by February 15. Materials for spring awards are due March 15; April 15 for summer; and October 15 for winter.
Graduate assistantships provide the following benefits:
Paid tuition for up to 18 credit hours each fiscal year for a full-time award
Paid registration, general, student union and technology fees
Paid parking permit
Variable stipends are paid by the academic departments. The stipend rate is variable and commensurate with experience. Stipends range from of $6, 840, to $10, 000 with an $8, 100 average. (These figures are based on 2007-2008 fall/winter assistantships; part-time appointments are proportionately lower.)
Priority registration, library privileges, and a discount at the EMU Bookstore
The University Fellowship is a distinction of honor awarded to selected graduate students on the basis of academic merit. Fellowship awards may range from $500 to $4, 000 per year for full-(eight credit hours per semester) or part-time enrollment (four credit hours per semester). New graduate students must have a minimum 3. 6 cumulative undergraduate GPA for consideration. Current students must have a 3. 8 GPA in their program of study. Awards for part-time enrollment may be based on merit and a 3. 0 GPA. Priority is given to students not receiving other kinds of aid such as a G. A. Awards are competitive and distributed among all graduate academic programs.
The Martin Luther King Jr. -César Chavez-Rosa Parks (KCP) Future Faculty Fellowship program was created to increase the number of under-represented candidates pursuing full-time teaching careers in post-secondary educational institutions within the state. Eligible applicants may receive fellowship awards of up to $20, 000 for master’s study and $35, 000 for doctoral study at Michigan institutions. As a condition of the award, recipients are required to make a commitment to work in Michigan higher education institutions for three years. A fellow who defaults on this commitment is required to repay the award sum, which is then treated as a loan. See additional application materials on the Graduate School’s Web site.
The Graduate Dean’s Award for Research Excellence is a $250 cash award made in the fall and winter semesters to recognize excellence in ongoing or completed thesis research. Deadlines to apply are November 15 for fall and March 15 for winter.
The Barton Scholarship is a one-time competitive award that pays up to $4, 000 to new graduate students. To be considered for this award, students must have earned their baccalaureate from EMU with a minimum 3. 5 cumulative GPA. The applicant must be admitted to their first graduate program and will need to enroll in and complete eight graduate credit hours in both fall and winter semesters. Application deadlines are February 15 and October 15.
The Brenner Scholarship is a one-time award of $500 to recognize outstanding academics and personal achievement by graduate students at EMU. Applicants must have completed 10 graduate credit hours by the end of the current semester with a 3. 5 GPA. They must enroll in and complete a minimum of four credit hours. The deadline to apply is February 15 for fall awards.
Most federal and state financial aid is awarded on the basis of need. To apply for financial aid, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA collects information about family income, assets and the number of family members attending college at least half-time. This information is used to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Need is defined as the difference between the cost of education and the EFC. To be eligible for financial aid consideration, applicants must:
Be accepted by the Graduate School as a graduate degree-admitted or a conditionally admitted student. Note: if admitted with Condition 2, senior admit, the student is eligible for undergraduate aid amounts for one semester and may need to submit parent information on the FAFSA. Students admitted with Condition 4, low GPA, qualify for 12 consecutive months of undergraduate aid amounts and may need to submit parent information on the FAFSA.
Be enrolled at least part-time, four credits for degree-admitted, six credits for Condition 2 and Condition 4 admits.
Be a U. S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen (see the FAFSA for definition)
Make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the completion of a defined course of study (see below)
Not be in default on a Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan or Graduate Plus Loan.
Not owe a refund on a Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or other Federal Title IV aid
By completing the FAFSA, graduate students are applying for the following:
Stafford Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized): The Subsidized Stafford Loan is need-based and is interest-free prior to repayment. Students may borrow up to $8, 500 per academic year. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are available to eligible students, regardless of need, with an annual borrowing limit of up to $20, 500 (minus Subsidized Loan); interest begins at the time of disbursement. Stafford Loan amounts are determined based on the cost of attendance minus other aid such as fellowships, scholarships and Graduate Assistantships.
File Review
By federal regulation, some student aid applicant files must be reviewed for accuracy of financial information reported. If selected for file review, the Office of Financial Aid will request additional documentation including, but not limited to, most recent federal income tax return (1040), W-2 and a Verification Worksheet that requests information such as child support paid or received, social security benefits and income credits. All documents must be received and reviewed by financial aid staff prior to processing student loans and earning College Work Study GA wages.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor the academic progress of all students toward degree completion. Academic progress is measured using three factors: GPA, number of credit hours taken and the percent of credit hours completed with a passing grade. Failure to maintain SAP will result in cancellation of eligibility to receive funds from federal, state or University programs.
A copy of the SAP Policy is available at the Office of Financial Aid and on line.
Monday - Friday: 8 a. m – 5 p. m.
Services also available at Service EMU
268 Student Center Fall and Winter
9: 00 a. m. – 6: 00 pm M-TH
9: 00 a. m. – 5: 00 p. m. F Spring and Summer
9: 00 am- 5: 00 pm M-F
The FAFSA must be completed on line by going to: www.fafsa.ed.gov
For information about applying to Eastern Michigan University or to arrange a campus visit, call 734. 487. 3060 or 800. GO-TO-EMU.
Visit us on the Web: www.emich.edu.
Apply for a Graduate Assistantship (G.A.) using the Financial Assistance Application for Graduate Students Form. It is submitted to the Graduate School, 200 Boone Hall by Feb. 15 for fall, March 15 for spring, April 15 for summer, or Oct. 15 for winter. or until departmental positions are filled.
The hiring department sends the new G.A. a letter of offer and an Obligation Form. The student signs and returns the Obligation Form to the hiring department thus accepting the G.A. offer.
nternational students must obtain a social security number. See staff in the Office of International Students upon arrival for procedure.
The Graduate School processes tuition scholarship/fee paperwork and sends it to Student Business Services for posting to the student’s account. The G.A. position does not pay program fees; so students should pay this amount when noted on the online bill. The award does pay registration, general, technology, and student union fees.
The G.A. works with the hiring department regarding job responsibilities, work hours/schedule, and training.
The hiring department submits the bi-weekly payroll information directly to Payroll. Paychecks are distributed in the hiring department.
Each fall and winter semester, the G.A. must be registered for 6 graduate credit hours or the tuition scholarship/fee paperwork WILL NOT be processed and student will be in jeopardy of losing his/her G.A. award. If the G.A. registers for an undergraduate course, a copy of the student’s Program of Study (POS) MUST be submitted to the Graduate School in 200 Boone Hall to verify its use on the program so tuition can be paid. If not on the POS, then additional graduate-level courses must be taken.
G.A. awards will cover one master’s program. A student MAY NOT begin a second graduate program using the G.A. tuition scholarship. The G.A. award is meant to cover 4 enrollment periods for a total of 36 graduate credit hours (NO MORE than 18 credit hours in a fiscal year).
