Funding Possibilities
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
Several teaching assistantship positions are available. An applicant must have full admission status to the Graduate School (not provisional status) to be eligible. February 1 is the deadline for priority consideration for the following academic year. Full-time assistants presently earn $3,549 per quarter. Currently, a partial tuition waiver is in effect for all full-time assistants, and both full and part-time assistants are eligible for medical benefits. Graduate assistantships may be awarded quarterly or annually. Reappointment is competitive and depends on successful progress in the graduate program. A full-time graduate teaching assistantship requires 20 hours of work per week. Teaching assistants must be registered for a minimum of 8 credits during the quarter the appointment is held (an exception is made for students who have completed all courses on their plan of study except thesis credits - they are allowed to register for a minimum of 2 credits of thesis research or continuous enrollment while they TA). For complete information on graduate assistantships see Apply for a TA position on the Graduate School website.
Financial Aid
For information on financial aid availability and application procedures, contact Student Financial Resources, 360-650-3470.
Graduate Work Study
The Student Financial Resources office, the Center for Work Experience, and the Graduate School work cooperatively to refer graduate work-study students to serve as graduate research assistants to faculty involved in research projects. The typical work-study is currently equivalent to approximately 15 hours of work per week. Only students who are eligible for financial aid may receive work-study awards. If you need information, please contact one of the following offices:
Questions About:
- Financial Aid Eligibility: Clara Capron, Student Financial Resources 360-650-3470
- Work Study: Kathleen Nolan or Caryn Regimbal, Student Employment Center 360-650-3158
- The Referral Process: Michael Barr, Graduate School 360-650-4170
Scholarships
For more information, please see the scholarships page.
Other Funding
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Graduate Tuition Fee Waiver
A limited number of Graduate Tuition Fee Waiver Scholarships are available. Awards are based on scholarship and financial need, and are generally $1,000 per quarter for one to three quarters. The graduate advisor recommends students for the awards. Contact the Graduate School for information. The deadline date for recommendations for the following academic year is April 1.
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Fund for the Enhancement of Graduate Research
This fund awards research support in amounts up to $1,000 to students currently enrolled in graduate programs at WWU. Students may apply in the spring for funding the following year. Awards are designed to assist students in accomplishing their thesis work (equipment, computer software, consumable items, travel, etc). Contact the Research and Sponsored Programs office at 360-650-3220 or see their website for deadline dates and application information.
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Ross Travel Funds
This fund was established to support travel for graduate students to present papers at professional meetings and conferences. Funding is awarded before travel occurs (retroactive requests are not considered). Applications are considered 4 times each year. Deadline dates for submission to the Graduate School are October 1, November 15, March 15 and May 15. Applications and guidelines are available at www.wwu.edu/depts/gradschool/forms.
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Political Science Department Graduate Research Support
Graduate student research awards are designed to assist students in accomplishing their thesis work. Requests should be confined to activities that are central to the student's thesis work and which are not available to the applicant through the University. Contact the Political Science Department Manager for more information, 360-650-3469.