1. WELCOME TO OPT-ED ALLIANCE DAY 2006!!

2. Ways of Financing Graduate School Loans/ Grants Fellowships/ Traineeships Co-Op Assistantships Work-Study Internships; part-time Jobs

3. Research Assistantships (1/2 Time) EStipend: $10,000 - $18,000 for 12 mos. ETuition may be covered EHealth Insurance may be covered EWork obligation (assisting professor with research) EOften furthers one’s dissertation research

4. Teaching Assistantships (1/2 Time) EStipend: $8,000 - $12,000 for 9 mos. EGraders, lab instructors, discussion/recitation section leaders, classroom teachers ETuition may be covered EHealth Insurance may be covered EProvides teaching experience but usually does not further one’s research EUseful credential for academic positions

5. What is a Fellowship? Fellowships/traineeships, grants and scholarships are outright awards made to graduate students with no service obligation. They usually provide a monthly stipend for living expenses, tuition and required fees.

6. General Characteristics of Fellowships EFull-Time Enrollment E1-6 Year Duration ENo Outside Employment ESummer Internship Requirement ECitizenship Requirement EResearch-Specific/Discipline- Specific EMerit-Based

7. Institutionally Awarded Fellowships EFellowships offered through departments and/or college EContact Director of Graduate Programs EUniversity-Wide Fellowships Diversity Graduate Assistance Grants GAANN, IGERT, NIH

8. Nationally Competitive Fellowships EAwarded directly from granting agencies/foundations to graduate students EGraduate students may choose to use their fellowships at any university to which they have been admitted. National Science Foundation Ford Foundation Jacob K. Javits

9. Searching for Nationally Competitive Fellowships E“Peterson’s Grants for Graduate and Postdoctoral Study” EWeb Resources: Graduate School “Financing Graduate Education Web Site” Databases Agency/Foundation Web Links

12. Selection Criteria EUndergraduate and Graduate Grade Point Average EGRE Scores EResearch Experience AGEP EConference Presentations EStrong Letters of Reference EStatement of Purpose

13. Tips on Applying ERead the application package carefully ECompleted applications must be neat in appearance EContact the Program Officer for questions EMake a checklist and set a timeline ESpeak to successful applicants EKeep copies of everything EApply by the deadline! Generally Range from Oct to Mar E APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!!!

14. More Information on Funding and Graduate School Ewww2.acs.ncsu.edu/grad/funding/fellows.htm EContact Your Department for Questions EContact Me for Questions: Dr. David Shafer, Assistant Dean (919) 515-4462 david_shafer@ncsu.edu