Both entering and continuing graduate students are eligible to apply for financial aid. To maintain satisfactory academic progress beyond the second year, those students entering with a bachelor's degree are expected to take and pass the Ph.D. preliminary examination after no more than three semesters of study. Students who receive financial aid midway in their studies should speak to the CIS Graduate Committee Chair regarding their length of support. With regard to financial aid, Ph.D. students are those who have passed the Preliminary Exam. Admission to the graduate program does not automatically entitle an applicant to financial aid.
Aid is awarded on a competitive basis from the pool of admitted applicants.
Usually awards are made in March-May for the fall semester, and in December for the spring semester. In addition to satisfying the general requirements of the University, candidates for the Master of Science degree must satisfy both the departmental general requirements and the computer science course requirements. An Application for Advanced Degree for the Master of Science degree should be filed with the Departmental Graduate Committee no later than the beginning of the semester in which the degree is expected. Application forms are available from the Office of Graduate Studies. Credits for independent study, research and master's thesis do not count towards this requirement.