Awards are competitive and based on merit. All fellowships cover tuition and a stipend for living expenses. In addition, an Ashton Fellowship, which covers only tuition, is available to third generation American born students, under the age of 25, who are residents of New Jersey or Pennsylvania and are applying to the Ph.D. program. Typically, the fellowships are awarded for one year and do not require any service. During their fellowship year, the Ph.D. candidates choose a research program, which, subject to availability of funds, will support them as RAs after the termination of the fellowship.
Fellows take four courses per semester.
Teaching Assistants typically run recitations, supervise laboratory sessions, and grade papers. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates who are considering an academic career. Teaching Assistants are required to take three courses per semester. A Research Assistant typically takes up to three courses per semester plus one credit of dissertation research.