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Financing Graduate School
Financing Graduate School
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OSU is a Research-Extensive University, and graduate students play a vital role in its teaching, research and outreach missions. Over 1700 graduate students help finance their graduate education at OSU through employment as Graduate Teaching Assistants/Associates (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistants/Associates (GRA). The use of “assistant” applies to master’s-level and “associate” to doctoral-level GTA and GRA appointments.
Students employed full-time in an assistantship for the academic term or session (e.g., 17 weeks in the fall or spring semester) and who are enrolled full time are eligible to receive a tuition waiver. Tuition waivers do not cover the cost of fees, which means students are responsible for paying any fees associated with their enrollment. To estimate the cost of fees, students can go to https://bursar.okstate.edu/tuition-estimate. Additional information about fees can be found at https://bursar.okstate.edu/tuition-and-fees.
A GTA must be fully admitted to a graduate degree program, enrolled, and be under the supervision of the appropriate graduate faculty member. In consultation with the supervisor, the GTA works to gain instructional skills and an increased understanding of the discipline. GTAs are provided a stipend and their primary responsibilities are to support the University's instructional mission. Services provided by a GTA may include: classroom or laboratory teaching; advising and mentoring of students; proctoring examinations; grading papers, homework, and/or projects; accompanying/ coaching musical or vocal performances, providing artistic instruction or assisting with preparation and management of materials and programs that are utilized in imparting knowledge or in the instructional process; or providing other general assistance in the instruction process. A GTA may be assigned primary responsibilities in an extension, outreach, or service role for which those responsibilities support the instructional mission of the University. GTAs may not be given duties to support faculty research or those primarily clerical in nature.
A GRA must be fully admitted to a graduate degree program, enrolled, and be under the supervision of an appropriate graduate faculty member. GRAs are provided a stipend and their primary responsibilities are to provide general support to the University's research mission. These responsibilities may or may not relate directly to the student's thesis or dissertation. Duties of the GRA primarily involve applying and mastering research concepts, practices, or methods of scholarship. Services provided by a GRA may include: assisting faculty members in a research or creative activity; performing degree-related professional or administrative services that supports research, instruction, professional development, or outreach missions of the University; developing and evaluating instructional materials or curricula; or assuming responsibility for designated scholarly endeavors. “Performing degree-related professional or administrative services” does not include jobs that are outside of the student's field of study
A fellowship provides financial support to graduate students to pursue graduate studies without requiring teaching or research responsibilities. Fellowships are generally merit-based or project-based and may be internal or external awards to support full-time students in their course of study.
Scholarships are awards that help students pay for their education. These awards may be based on academic performance, field of study, or other criteria. Unlike student loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. For more information about scholarships, go to: https://financialaid.okstate.edu/scholarships/grad.
Awards are prizes or other marks of recognition for an achievement. In most cases, awards sponsored by the Graduate College are given in conjunction with a monetary prize.
These awards are presented annually at the Graduate College awards ceremony, held in the Spring semester. Notice of requests for nominations will be posted in the Graduate College weekly, Monday Memo.
The Honorary Graduate Commencement Marshal recognition is the highest honor bestowed on Doctoral and Master’s degree graduates at each commencement. Marshals have demonstrated scholarly achievement, as evidenced by academic performance and discipline-appropriate scholarly contributions that capture the essence of our land-grant mission. Marshals receive a monetary award, are recognized at commencement, and lead the graduates in the processional, recessional, and awarding of the diploma covers.
In partnership with the OSU Research Office, Graduate Research Excellence Awards recognize
outstanding research accomplishments as reflected in the thesis or dissertation.This
is OSU's highest public recognition of the research conducted by the institution’s
most talented graduate students. Awardees, receive a certificate and a Presidential
Letter of Commendation and commemorative plaque.
In partnership with the OSU Writing Center and the Edmon Low Library, graduate students
have the opportunity to enhance their abstract writing skills through workshops that
focus on writing technical abstracts targeted to those in their discipline. Participants
in the workshops can enter their abstract in the competition to compete for monetary
prizes. The abstract Writing Workshops and Contests are offered every semester and
are part of the Graduate College’s 360⁰ Critical Skills for Career Success professional
development (digital badge) program.
In partnership with the OSU Writing Center and the Edmon Low Library, graduate students
have had the opportunity to enhance their abstract writing skills through workshops
that focus on writing public abstracts for diverse non-disciplinary audiences. The
Public Abstract Writing Contest, which is open to participants in the workshops, provides
graduate students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to write public abstracts,
addressing the needs of diverse audiences and situations. Participants in these workshops
can enter their abstract in the competition to compete for monetary prizes. The abstract
Writing Workshops and Contests are offered every semester as a part of the Graduate
College’s 360⁰ Critical Skills for Career Success professional development (digital
badge) program.
The Outstanding Graduate Coordinator award is given annually to a program coordinator
in recognition of their work to advance the career aspirations of our graduate students
and contributions to the success of our graduate programs. Nominations are submitted
by graduate faculty and graduate students. The winner is formally recognized during
the annual Graduate College and GPSGA awards ceremony.
The Outstanding Graduate Program Support Staff award is given annually to a program
support staff in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the overall success
of their graduate program. Nominations may be submitted by graduate faculty and graduate
students. The winner is recognized during the annual Graduate College and GPSGA awards
ceremony.
The Doctoral Student Phoenix Award is the highest recognition bestowed by GPSGA on
an OSU doctoral student and recognizes exemplary achievement in leadership and scholarship,
community and university service, and professional involvement, especially as it relates
to the OSU graduate student body. Applicants are nominated by any faculty member,
administrator, or graduate student (including self-nominations), must be enrolled
as a graduate student in the current academic year, require no more than 6 credit
hours for degree completion after the spring semester, and have a minimum grade point
average of 3.5. The student award winners each receive a monetary award from the GPSGA.
The Master's Student Phoenix Award is the highest recognition bestowed by GPSGA on
an OSU master's student and recognizes exemplary achievement in leadership and scholarship,
community and university service, and professional involvement, especially as it relates
to the OSU graduate student body. A call for nominations is made through the Graduate
College Monday Memo each year. Applicants are nominated by any faculty member, administrator,
or graduate student (including self-nominations), must be enrolled as a graduate student
in the current academic year, require no more than 6 credit hours for degree completion
after the spring semester, and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5. The student
award winners each receive a monetary award from the GPSGA.
Each year the GPSGA recognizes an outstanding graduate teaching assistant. Nominations
may be initiated by any faculty member, administrator, or graduate student (including
self nominations). Master's and doctoral student applicants are eligible and must
be enrolled as a graduate student in the current academic year and have a minimum
grade point average of 3.5. The award winner will be recognized at the annual awards
ceremony and receive a monetary award and a certificate.
The Phoenix Graduate Faculty Mentor award is given annually to a faculty member in
recognition of excellence in mentorship of graduate students. The winner, selected
by graduate students, will receive formal recognition during the annual Graduate College
and GPSGA awards ceremony and have their names engraved on the Phoenix Awards plaque
located outside the Graduate College.
Grants are a source of federal, state or private funding designated to costs associated
with research or other designated activities based on merit or need. The grant may
include funds for an assistantship, materials, supplies, travel, tuition based on
the criteria stipulated by the funding program.
Loans are funds that are borrowed to help pay for educational expenses. They may originate
from federal or private sources. Federal law sets the maximum interest rates and fees
you can be charged for a federally-guaranteed education loan. Private loans (sometimes
called alternative loans) are not part of the federal government guaranteed student
loan program, and can be more costly. Loans must be repaid, usually with interest.
For more information about loans, check out https://financialaid.okstate.edu/aid/loans.
Where can I find out more about the process of applying for financial aid?
Is there additional information available to graduate students about financial aid?
How do I check the status of my financial aid?
How do I accept my financial aid?
What is meant by satisfactory academic progress in order to qualify for financial aid?