Research assistantships include the payment of up to 9 credit hours of tuition fees per semester, plus an a hourly wage. Continuing students often remain in an assistantship position from the previous year. Adjunct teaching opportunities are also available as a form of financial assistance. Doctoral students given responsibility for teaching a course are paid the same salary as other adjunct faculty members. Students interested in teaching should communicate that interest to their committee chairperson and the associate dean.
Financial aid is used primarily for recruitment purposes.
Academic merit is the primary criterion, with economic need being a secondary consideration. Fellowships and scholarships for beginning doctoral students are normally restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Newly admitted students falling into either of these categories are automatically considered for some sort of financial support. Since financial assistance is extremely limited, all international students are expected to come to the university fully funded. International students admitted to the doctoral program are required to submit evidence of financial support for tuition and living expenses adequate to cover the first year of study at Indiana University before the Office of International Admissions will issue the document needed to apply for a visa to enter the United States as a student.