Two forms of financial aid (merit-based and need-based) are available to assist students in paying the cost of graduate education. Recipients of merit-based financial aid are chosen on the basis of academic qualifications, without regard to financial status. Students pursuing the non-thesis option Master's degree are not eligible for merit-based financial aid. The forms of merit-based aid are:
Fellowships
These fellowships are awarded by the Louisiana Board of Regents, and pay an stipend of approximately $18,000 plus a tuition waiver. Incoming fellowship recipients for academic year 2003-2004 are eligible for summer research funding of $6,000, which brings the total 12 month funding to approximately $24,000. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens.
Teaching Assistantships
Pay a stipend of $16,000 and a tuition waiver for nine months of service. Incoming TAs for academic year 2003-2004 are eligible for summer research funding of $6,000, which brings the total 12 month funding to $22,000. A Teaching Assistant is assigned to assist a faculty mentor and shares teaching responsibilities. TA duties may include discussions about upcoming lectures, feedback from lectures, preparation of handouts, grading, and laboratory instruction. The TA generally attends all class meetings. Entering graduate students are eligible to compete for TA awards, and all entering graduate students are required to take "Teaching Engineering" seminars during their first year of enrollment (BMEN 751).
Research Assistantships
Pay a stipend which is individually determined, and also include tuition. These awards may be given to continuing graduate students who are beginning their research projects on a topic with extramural financial support.
Extramural Graduate Fellowship Programs
All applicants are strongly urged to apply for National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate fellowships. These generally offer a stipend and tuition waiver, some offer summer support as well. Applications for the NSF Fellowship may be secured from:
NSF Fellowship Office
Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Box 3010
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-3010
The American Society for Engineering Education's ENG-LOANS program (11 Dupont Circle, Washington, DC 20036; 1-800-562-2525) provides funding above the conventional Federally subsidized loan amounts.
Information on need-based financial aid is available from the Financial Aid Office, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118. Filing of the GAPSFAS (available from the financial aid office at most universities) is a requirement for consideration.