Financing Graduate School

Focus on the direct costs you will owe to UNI:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board (if living on campus)

Consider any other education-related expenses you may need pay:

• Books and supplies
• Rent
• Utilities
• Groceries
• Car insurance and gas
• Childcare
• Cell Phone

Consider any financial resources you already have:

• Savings
• Current Income if you are employed full- or part-time
• Campus departmental and off-campus employment—visit the UNI Job Board
  • Graduate students enrolled at least half-time are eligible for work positions supported by departmental funds
  • Note:  If you have a graduate assistantship, you cannot work as an hourly employee on campus
  • The job board also lists openings for off-campus employers
• The Grad Sense Budget Calculator by the Council of Graduate Schools is a great online resource

Graduate Assistantship

• Graduate Assistants can work full-time (20 hours per week) or half-time (10 hours per week). 
• There are many Graduate Assistant positions in a variety of campus departments and offices
• You must be full-time (enrolled in at least 9 hours per semester) to be eligible for an assistantship
• Out-of-state students with a graduate assistantship may qualify for in-state tuition
• The Graduate Assistant positions in our office are open for the 23-24 school year! Apply by April 28th for full consideration.
  • Financial Literacy Outreach Coordinator Position Description (PDF)
  • Loans and Outreach & Retention Position Description (PDF)

Application for Graduate Assistantship

Graduate College Tuition Scholarship

• This scholarship is awarded on a semester basis as a half or full scholarship at the in-state tuition rate
• Does not cover student fees, books, or other expenses
• This scholarship does not qualify a student for the in-state tuition rate
• Awarded scholarships are processed through financial aid and do not require any work or services to receive the award

Tuition Scholarship Application

Departmental Scholarships

• Contact your academic department to learn if scholarships are available
• Review the UNI Scholarship Directory

Outside scholarships

• There are numerous free websites where you can search for scholarships such as FastWeb and Graduate School Scholarships
• Also look for scholarships from your home community, employer, etc.

In order to receive financial aid, graduate students must be degree-seeking and enrolled at least half-time (5 credit hours). 

If you choose to submit the FAFSA (available starting October 1), you may qualify for:

Grants

• Limited funds are available to graduate students, so complete your FAFSA as early as possible to maximize the possibility of receiving grants.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

• 6.54% Fixed Interest Rate for the 2022-2023 academic year
• Borrowing limit of $20,500 per year

Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate Students

• 7.54% Fixed Interest Rate for the 2022-2023 academic year
• Available for graduate students who have exhausted their Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
• Borrower is subject to a credit check prior to approval

Private Education Loans

• Offered through private banks and lenders
• Some private lenders allow less than half-time enrollment
• This is a last-resort option
• Private Loan Counseling is required with the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Remember that you will be charged interest on your loans as soon as you receive them. You will be responsible for paying back the amount of your loan plus any interest that has accrued.