Most awards are based upon merit and financial need. There is a certain credit requirement the student must take each semester based upon whether the assistantship is a whole or a half-time award. There are also different payment rates associated with each stipend level. Also included with at least a half-time assistantship is a tuition waiver and health benefits. The student must pay for all associated University fees.
More detail is provided in the Catalog or on our web site.
The student should contact the department that the field of study falls under for further information. Not all Federal Aid can applies to graduate course study, but there are some loans and grants available.