The necessary forms for these positions are available from the Graduate School or online MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat format. The monthly salary varies depending on the degree level and status. Appointments vary in length, depending on the source of funding and the nature of the work. Foreign nationals are offered support for their first year in the program only if their records are exceptionally outstanding, and their particular skills are strongly required on specific projects in the department.
Financial assistance is offered on a competitive basis.
Some special fellowships and RA's are also available in the department through the Graduate School and other sources. Offers of assistantships to applicants are usually made for the initial three-quarter period of association with the department. Financial aid offers for Autumn Quarter applicants are made in March. Students who wish to enter in the Winter, Spring, or Summer Quarters should note that the availability of aid for new students for these quarters is very limited. Some graduate students enter the program as Teaching Assistants, learn about the program and its faculty, and then in the second or third quarter of study are hired into an RA position.