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Financial Aid
Financial aid is available to graduate students in several forms. Once offered, the Department will make an effort to continue to provide financial aid, to a maximum of two years, for those students in good standing who are enrolled in the Ph.D. program. Ph.D. students beyond the second year are expected to have shifted support from teaching to research assistantships. For those students in good standing in the M.S. program, financial aid will be provided, in so far as possible, up to two years stipend and 30 credits tuition waiver. First priority for teaching assistantships goes to first and second year students in good academic standing. Extension of a teaching assistantship support beyond two years will depend on the department's need for teaching assistants.
Teaching Assistantships
For incoming students, the Graduate Teaching Assistantship is the most common form of aid. It includes a salary for teaching 4 to 8 contact hours per semester (about 20 clock hours per week) plus a waiver of tuition up to a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester and a maximum of 30 credit hours for the year. Fees will be paid by the student. The assistantship is for the academic year only. The tuition waiver can only be applied to courses which satisfy the Plan of Study approved by the Graduate Program Committee.
Students whose native language is not English will be evaluated by the Coordinator of English Language Services in the
Learning
Center
. Special courses in English as a second language may be recommended as a result of the evaluation. It is expected as a condition of employment that the student will make a good faith effort in such courses. Continuation of assistantships in the second semester and future renewals are dependent upon certification that the student attended class regularly, worked diligently, showed improvement, and passed the English Speak Test.
Research Assistantships
Research assistantships are available to many of our graduate students. Tuition is usually also covered. The availability of research assistantships depends upon individual research professors and is subject to the needs of contracts and interests of students. Research assistantships are normally given for the academic year, and in addition, summer support is often also available.
Summer Support
The major support is through research assistantships (RA's). Students should apply for RA's directly from potential research advisors.
Fellowships
Rensselaer has some fellowship support for new students which take the form of full support to a few outstanding students and "topper” awards in addition to a teaching assistantship. Tuition scholarships and loans may also be available through the Graduate School Office and Financial Aid Office. Outstanding students are nominated for industrial or private foundation fellowships as they become available.
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