International
education is expensive and a student need some sort of financial
assistance or funding that can reduce the burden. Most of the
universities provide financial assistance mostly based on the merit
of the students. Lets discuss here what are the different kinds of
assistance provided by universities in US and what are the factors
that can play a role in getting the financial assistance.
Different types of financial assistance
1.Tuition Waiver/ Scholarships:
Some students may receive tuition waiver based on the merit wherein the student is exempted from the tuition expenses. However other expenses like the living expenses have to borne by the student. If a student possess outstanding academic ability then he may get full scholarship that would pay for student entire living expenses.
2.Teaching Assistantship (TA) :
TAs usually help out the instructor/professor for anything related to course. This may vary anywhere from grading the home works to teaching a particular topic in class. TA usually does the grading of homework, projects, and quizzes. TAs normally are supposed to help out the students in class for any questions regarding homework and other course related material. Expectations from Tas basically depends on Profs. Some may expect TA's to take undergrad classes and some may expect TA's to assist in evaluating assignments etc. Typically, you can apply for TA if you taken the class in previous semester Or if you have done similar higher level course. Students typically apply for TAs in the second semester as they would have done some classes. A high TOEFL score is a must to be selected for TA. Normally TA's work for 20hrs/week. As a T.A you can earn a stipend between 7500$- 15000$ (Depends on univ). Or TA's may be converted into instate fees.
3.Research Assistantship (RA) :
RA expects students to help professors with their research. The professors will have research projects that are funded. The professors usually get grants to do research and professor seeks students to help them with the research. The job typically consist of doing experiments, simulations, programming, writing research papers, setup labs, etc. It is mostly awarded to students who take Thesis option in their Masters program. Professors usually look for your skills and research experience when they offer you a position. Ideally, most universities give RAs full tuition waiver and stipend. If not full tuition waiver, you will be converted to at least instate fees. The stipend varies based on the grant anywhere between $500 to $1500. The ideal work hours is 20 hours/week. But it may extend depending on the professor. RA is the best option for those who wants to go into research area or who wants to pursue PhD.
4. Graduate Assistantship (GA) :
GA is similar to RA, but doing work in other departments. GA's are typically involved with handling the Department Websites, Web Servers, UNIX and other Servers. They work with network setups, accounts creation, deletion, etc. The duties vary based on department. The funding is similar to RA but it depends on the universities.
Students have to approach university funding department for funding and its little hard to get funding initially during admissions. The good place to go is to ask financial aid office and ask them. You can check the same at the Department offices too. You may have to write good essay and show need for financial support to get funding for scholarships.
Overall, the goal of a student is to try his/her best to get funding . It could be hard in the first semester because you are trying to understand the system in University. But, in second semester you know where to go and when to apply.
Different types of financial assistance
1.Tuition Waiver/ Scholarships:
Some students may receive tuition waiver based on the merit wherein the student is exempted from the tuition expenses. However other expenses like the living expenses have to borne by the student. If a student possess outstanding academic ability then he may get full scholarship that would pay for student entire living expenses.
2.Teaching Assistantship (TA) :
TAs usually help out the instructor/professor for anything related to course. This may vary anywhere from grading the home works to teaching a particular topic in class. TA usually does the grading of homework, projects, and quizzes. TAs normally are supposed to help out the students in class for any questions regarding homework and other course related material. Expectations from Tas basically depends on Profs. Some may expect TA's to take undergrad classes and some may expect TA's to assist in evaluating assignments etc. Typically, you can apply for TA if you taken the class in previous semester Or if you have done similar higher level course. Students typically apply for TAs in the second semester as they would have done some classes. A high TOEFL score is a must to be selected for TA. Normally TA's work for 20hrs/week. As a T.A you can earn a stipend between 7500$- 15000$ (Depends on univ). Or TA's may be converted into instate fees.
3.Research Assistantship (RA) :
RA expects students to help professors with their research. The professors will have research projects that are funded. The professors usually get grants to do research and professor seeks students to help them with the research. The job typically consist of doing experiments, simulations, programming, writing research papers, setup labs, etc. It is mostly awarded to students who take Thesis option in their Masters program. Professors usually look for your skills and research experience when they offer you a position. Ideally, most universities give RAs full tuition waiver and stipend. If not full tuition waiver, you will be converted to at least instate fees. The stipend varies based on the grant anywhere between $500 to $1500. The ideal work hours is 20 hours/week. But it may extend depending on the professor. RA is the best option for those who wants to go into research area or who wants to pursue PhD.
4. Graduate Assistantship (GA) :
GA is similar to RA, but doing work in other departments. GA's are typically involved with handling the Department Websites, Web Servers, UNIX and other Servers. They work with network setups, accounts creation, deletion, etc. The duties vary based on department. The funding is similar to RA but it depends on the universities.
Students have to approach university funding department for funding and its little hard to get funding initially during admissions. The good place to go is to ask financial aid office and ask them. You can check the same at the Department offices too. You may have to write good essay and show need for financial support to get funding for scholarships.
Overall, the goal of a student is to try his/her best to get funding . It could be hard in the first semester because you are trying to understand the system in University. But, in second semester you know where to go and when to apply.
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