Assistantships are formal contracts between you and departments, and are awarded for varying lengths of time. They may be for as short a duration as one semester. Please be sure that you understand your assistantship contract fully, and be prepared to apply for renewal at the appropriate time with your Graduate Program Director. In addition to the above, you may also want to inquire about project grants and other special funds that are available through various graduate departments. See your Graduate Program Director.
Most graduate students are heavily dependent on loans.
If you are, we advise you to speak with a financial aid counselor regarding debt management. Many of you have incurred significant loan obligations during your undergraduate years, and you should be both aware of and cautious about your total loan liability. If you have already incurred significant debt, please speak with us before you consider additional borrowing. Loans may be your only choice, but you should clearly understand the total or aggregate loan limitations and the repayment schedules.