Financing Graduate School

The UNI Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships strives to make graduate college an affordable investment in your future. There are several factors to consider when attending graduate school. Below we have outlined important information for graduate students and their advisors.

In order to be eligible for financial aid, you must be a degree-seeking student. Graduate tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships require full-time enrollment (9 credit hours). Scholarships offered by your department may not require full-time enrollment, check with your department. Federal loans require a minimum of 5 credit hours (half-time enrollment).

Step 1: Calculate Anticipated Costs

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

Step 2: Consider Financial Resources

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

Step 3: Apply for Assistantships and Scholarships

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

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.

Step 4: Explore Grants and Loans

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 (tentatively available starting December 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
Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate Students
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.

Other Important Information

Check out other resources and information available for graduate students. If you have any additional questions, please contact our office.