8. Funding and Tuition Scholarships

8.1- Award Eligibility

GSAS offers many forms of merit-based funding, including assistantships, fellowships, and tuition scholarships.

GSAS determines which students receive funding upon the recommendations of academic departments/programs, as well as the Distinguished Fellowships Committee. In accordance with the guidelines of the Council of Graduate Schools, students are notified of financial awards by April 1 and must reply by April 15. If GSAS does not receive written acceptance of the aid offer by April 15, the offer may be rescinded. 

Students receiving GSAS funding or tuition scholarships must satisfy the following criteria every academic year:

1. Maintain the minimum GPA required of their degree program
2. Meet the requirements of both satisfactory academic performance and satisfactory academic progress (see §7.4- GSAS Standards for Satisfactory Academic Performance and Satisfactory Academic Progress; Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
3. Be certified as full-time by registering for the full-time equivalence in credits (see Appendix D: Full Time and Half Time Program Requirements) or by filling out a Matriculated Students Status Certification form, available on the GSAS Student Resources page. This form indicates academic work sufficient for full-time status. The only exception is for IPED students receiving a Ricci scholarship.
4. Hold no additional Fordham assignments during the academic year that result in a combined workload exceeding 19 hours per week. This rule applies to all the categories of funding with associated work duties. 

Students receiving funding or tuition scholarships shall promptly inform GSAS of any other University-funded awards or alternate appointments (e.g., resident assistantships, teaching assignments). As indicated above, students with work assignments should also note that University policy limits the number of hours a Graduate Student Worker can work at the University to 19 hours per week total. Employment as a staff member of the University while being matriculated as a full-time student requires the written permission of the dean or her designee, and is rarely granted.

8.1.1- New Students

All new applicants for admission to GSAS programs who wish to be considered for GSAS merit-based funding must have a completed admission application on file by the deadline published in the application materials.

Departments and programs recommend new applicants for funding or tuition scholarships on a ranked basis, the principal criterion for ranking being a candidate's preparation and potential for outstanding graduate-level work. At minimum, applicants recommended for funding are expected to have a B+ (3.5) average in previous coursework, and to achieve the 75th percentile (for the discipline) in each of the three sections of the GRE.

8.1.2- Continuing Students

Students who are offered financial aid packages upon admission to their department or program will receive a "continued funding letter" each spring during their designated funding period. This letter requests the recipient to confirm their eligibility for and acceptance of continued aid for the following academic year. Students must indicate acceptance of this aid by the deadline noted in the letter in order to ensure its availability.

Please note that in certain cases, some components of a financial aid package may be exhausted before others (i.e. tuition scholarships may be fully expended before work stipends or university health insurance contributions). In these instances, acceptance of continued aid for the following academic year applies only to the elements of the original financial aid package which are remaining.

8.2- Graduate Assistantships

Students receiving funding may be assigned as graduate assistants (GAs) under the direction of a faculty member. Graduate assistants are expected to commit up to 18 hours per week to their graduate assistantship duties for the entire academic year, from approximately the third week of August through University commencement. This includes days when classes are not in session but the University remains open (e.g., winter break and spring break). A half graduate assistant financial aid package requires a commitment of up to nine hours per week.

Summer graduate assistantships are typically for 34 hours per week for ten weeks during the summer.

Most assistants work at a location on campus between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., but some assignments require evening or weekend hours on campus. At the start of an assistantship, the student should ascertain from the department the expectations for hours and days to satisfy the nature of the duties.

Graduate assistantships are union-eligible positions. Graduate Student Workers holding these positions must either join the union or opt out and become a fair share payer. Those who join the union are covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Fordham University and CWA Local 1104. Please refer to the CBA for further information. Details on the pay scale and pay schedule for graduate assistantships can be found on the Financial Support page of the GSAS website.

8.3- Teaching Fellowships

Doctoral students who have completed all coursework and passed the doctoral comprehensive exams may be assigned the position of teaching fellow (TF) during the latter part of their funded years. Teaching fellows work as instructors for undergraduate courses in FCRH, FCLC, and PCS, under the supervision of a faculty member. Those serving in this role are assigned a 1-1 course load during the academic year. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) notes that teaching fellows must not teach more than two (2) courses an academic year, unless they are assigned an additional section as an overload. 

Teaching fellows must follow the Fordham college deans' instructional policies outlined in the Undergraduate Faculty Handbook.

Teaching fellowships are union-eligible positions. Graduate Student Workers holding these positions must either join the union or opt out and become a fair share payer. Those who join the union are covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Fordham University and CWA Local 1104. Please refer to the CBA for further information. Details on the pay scale and pay schedule for teaching fellowships can be found on the Financial Support page of the GSAS website.

8.4- Teaching Associates

Graduate Student Workers who have completed the funded period of their doctoral programs are eligible to serve as teaching associates (TAs). Similar to teaching fellows, teaching associates act as instructors for undergraduate courses in FCRH, FCLC, and PCS. Teaching associates, however, are paid a per-course stipend, in addition to receiving a tuition scholarship of up to three credits per semester and a university contribution towards health insurance. Teaching associates may also teach up to two courses per semester (2-2), maximum.

Teaching associates must have completed the master's degree (with preference given to those who are in the dissertation stage of their program), and must be in good academic standing (see §7.4- GSAS Standards for Satisfactory Academic Performance and Satisfactory Academic Progress; Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Nominees should also have completed their department's teaching preparation program (where such exists). Preference for teaching associate appointments is generally given to Graduate Student Workers who have already served as teaching fellows. The availability of teaching associate positions is subject to departmental need and cannot be guaranteed.

Please note that eligible matriculated students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences may serve as teaching associates, but under no circumstances may matriculated GSAS students serve as adjunct instructors.

Teaching associate posts are union-eligible positions. Graduate Student Workers holding these positions must either join the union or opt out and become a fair share payer. Those who join the union are covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Fordham University and CWA Local 1104. Please refer to the CBA for further information. Details on the pay scale and pay schedule for graduate assistantships can be found on the Financial Support page of the GSAS website.

8.5- Tuition Scholarships

Tuition scholarships are a part of most financial aid awards and are awarded on a per-credit basis. Full- or partial-tuition scholarships may also be offered to qualified students in select programs or to match the aid from research grants of faculty members. These scholarships are considered to be GSAS financial aid, and students must meet the eligibility requirements previously described, including full-time student status.

Tuition scholarships can only be applied toward coursework that meets degree requirements. They cannot be used to audit courses, to take undergraduate courses that do not fulfill a language requirement, to take a course that is a condition of admission, or for personal enrichment. Charges associated with 0-credit registrations will be covered by the tuition scholarship, but will reduce the number of credits that may be applied in a given academic year.

Partial tuition scholarships are available for high school teachers in select programs and for teachers at Jesuit high schools. In addition, GSAS participates in the Mayor's Scholarship Program, which provides partial tuition scholarships for employees of the City of New York. Some discounts are also available to members of the clergy and to staff and faculty at partner institutions. Contact the dean's office for information regarding eligibility.

Students who receive any form of tuition scholarship must register by the deadlines posted in registration materials, or they risk forfeiting their tuition scholarship. Additionally, students who register late are charged a late registration fee.

Any billing problems associated with tuition scholarships must be brought immediately to the attention of the dean's office (adgsas@fordham.edu).

8.6- Fellowships and Grants

In addition to the above-mentioned scholarships and appointments, GSAS provides financial aid in the form of a variety of graduate fellowships and grants, including six types of University-sponsored Distinguished Fellowships: three offered to entering students and three for advanced students. Please note that the number of these awards granted may vary based on the availability of funds.

Some departments have additional fellowships that are restricted to students in their programs. For more information, see the GSAS financial aid website under Distinguished Fellowships.

8.6.1- Distinguished Fellowships for Entering Students

Distinguished Fellowships available to first-time applicants to the GSAS include:

• Loyola Fellowship: The Loyola Fellowship was established through the generosity of the Jesuits of Fordham University. It is awarded to incoming doctoral students pursuing programs in the humanities. 

• University Fellowship: University Fellowships are merit-based awards offered to a select group of incoming doctoral students in non-humanities programs. 

• Bennett Excellence Award: Bennett Excellence Awards are offered to a select group of incoming master's students in recognition of scholarly excellence. 

8.6.2- Distinguished Fellowships for Advanced Students

Three academic-year Distinguished Fellowships are available for outstanding doctoral students. These fellowships do not fall under the award tenure policy previously described and thus, in some programs, may increase a student's funding by one additional year. In no case will a student's eligibility for aid be increased by more than one year, even if a student is awarded more than one Distinguished Fellowship during their time at Fordham.

Students who wish to be considered for a Distinguished Fellowship (see §8.6- Fellowships and Grants) must complete the Distinguished Fellowship Application and submit it, along with all required documentation, by the deadline noted on the Distinguished Fellowships webpage and call for applications. Further information and guidelines for each Distinguished Fellowship are available on the GSAS financial aid website under Distinguished Fellowships. 

• Research Fellowship: The GSAS Research Fellowship provides support for GSAS students who wish to work closely with faculty to develop their dissertation research projects or to learn methods or procedures that they will apply in the course of their dissertation research. Please note that this fellowship does not permit work assignments to be held during the fellowship period. It is not a union-eligible position.
• Senior Teaching Fellowship: Senior Teaching Fellowships provide support for Graduate Student Workers who have already completed a teaching fellowship in their department and who have demonstrated effective teaching skills. Responsibilities of senior teaching fellows include teaching two courses per year at Fordham College under faculty supervision. Please note that this fellowship is union-eligible. Recipients must either join the union or opt out and become a fair share payer.
• Alumni Dissertation Fellowships: Alumni Dissertation Fellowships enable students to pursue full-time work and focus on their dissertations. The Alumni Dissertation Fellowship is the last of the internally administered prestigious awards for advanced doctoral students. Recipients are expected to complete, defend, and present their dissertations in time for May graduation in the year the fellowship is awarded. Please note that this fellowship does not permit work assignments to be held during the fellowship period. It is not a union-eligible position.

8.6.3- Graduate Student Support Grants (SSGs)

The Graduate Student Support Grants are merit-based awards jointly managed by GSAS and the Graduate Student Council (GSC). These awards provide support for student conference and/or research expenses; select dissertation expenses; and/or alternative learning experiences. Applications are reviewed during two funding cycles: fall and spring. For more information, please visit the SSG website.

8.6.4- Summer Fellowships

GSAS Summer Fellowships provide support for master's and doctoral students who wish to devote the summer to enhancing their professional credentials beyond the normal expectations of their program. Activities eligible for summer fellowship funding could include, but are not limited to, preparing applications for prestigious external fellowships, researching and drafting articles for publication, presenting conference papers, undertaking relevant training, and attending workshops.

Students are not permitted to hold a Summer Fellowship more than two out of five years. Award preference is typically given to those applicants who have not already held a Summer Fellowship in a previous year. The number of fellowships offered each year is subject to change based on funding availability.

8.7- External Prestigious Fellowships

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences strongly encourages students to apply to prestigious fellowships offered by external grant organizations, especially those supporting dissertation research and other stages of graduate study. Examples of such organizations include:

• Fulbright Commissions
• Council for European Studies
• Department of Education
• National Science Foundation
• American Association of University Women
• Rotary Foundation
• American Council of Learned Societies

Qualified students interested in developing and improving applications for these and other prestigious awards should contact the Office for Prestigious Fellowships.

If awarded an external prestigious fellowship, students must notify their department and the dean's office (adgsas@fordham.edu). Recipients of external prestigious fellowships may be eligible for supplemental GSAS funding in recognition of their external prestigious award.