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Funding Graduate Studies
The University at Albany's Office of Student Accounts provides a complete and up to date breakdown the costs for attending the University as a graduate student.
The University has a significant variety of funding alternatives designed to provide opportunities for graduate degree students and potential graduate degree students to afford the higher education they seek. Given the breadth of graduate program offerings within our nine colleges and schools, there is no sole source for potential funding information. This page is intended to summarize funding opportunities so students may direct themselves accordingly.
Need Based Programs
The University’s Office of Student Financial Services and the Financial Aid administers a variety of federal, state and private aid programs on a calculated need basis. The need calculation along with program(s) information, forms, procedures, links and other relevant information are available at this office site and should be fully explored. In general, graduate level need-based aid is most typically offered via federal loan programs. To become eligible, students must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) be admitted to or matriculated in a degree program and be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per term or more). Other need-based funding programs may have additional or alternate eligibility requirements.
Merit Based Programs
Academically competitive, merit-based awards are available in many graduate programs at the University, particularly though not exclusively for doctoral students, and are typically designed to support students engaged in full-time pursuit of the graduate degree. Assistantships provide a program-related practical teaching, research or administrative experience. In addition to the educational benefit afforded to appointed graduate assistants through the experience, assistantships provide a stipend in compensation for the teaching, research or administration service provided. Fellowships are awards providing a stipend, without service requirements, intended to allow for the graduate student to be exclusively engaged in his/her academic work. Tuition Scholarships are awards applied toward University tuition costs.
The vast majority of assistantship, fellowship and tuition scholarship awards are administered directly in the University’s schools and colleges by faculty and staff in each academic program. Accordingly, inquiries regarding the availability and qualification for such awards should be directed to the academic department of interest. Prospective students seeking to apply for such awards should include the graduate assistantship/fellowship application form with the application for graduate study submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions, by the published deadline. Continuing graduate students should make direct application for funding with the academic department of enrollment. A small number of administrative assistantships and tuition scholarships are additionally available within University administrative/service offices and the Office of Residential Life. A roster and contact information for these positions may be viewed or printed from the link on this page.
Special Graduate Funding Opportunities and Programs
The SUNY System has graduate-funding programs aimed at broadening access to graduate education as well as insuring that the State of New York and society in general are enriched by the SUNY preparation of scholars and leaders from diverse backgrounds. The Graduate Tuition Opportunity Program (GTOP) provides support for full-time graduate education to individuals who graduated from New York State undergraduate institutions while participating in EOP, HEOP or SEEK programs. GTOP Applications may be submitted to Dr. Betty Shadrick, Office of Graduate Studies, UAB 121, University at Albany, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222.
In addition, the University offers the Diversity Teaching/Research Fellowship, a blended assistantship/fellowship program. Please see Carson Carr Graduate Diversity Scholar Application for more details.
Interested students should inquire and/or apply according to the procedures identified above for assistantships, fellowships and tuition scholarships.
Dissertation Research Fellowship Awards Program
The University has a limited amount of fellowship funding available annually to assist doctoral candidates offset research expenses. Obtain details at the program's General Information page.
Resources for Current/Prospective Graduate Assistants
Graduate Assistantship, Fellowship & Tuition Scholarship Guidelines for Students (PDF):
Graduate and Teaching Assistant Fringe Benefit Information
UAlbany Benevolent Association Grants for Graduate Student Research
Administrative Unit Graduate Assistantships
Administrative (non-departmental) Assistantship Positions (PDF):
Administrative Assistantship Position Descriptions (PDF):
Student Employment Opportunities
UAlbany Students: Currently available hourly Student Assistant opportunities can be found on MyUAlbany under Campus Life. Follow the link under Campus Employment to Student Assistant jobs (Non Federal Work-Study). You must be registered and have a STUDENT email address to access the site.
Students who have accepted Federal Work-study awards should go to Finances on MyUAlbany. Links to other employers on campus are provided below:
UAlbany Employment Contacts (continuous recruitment)
Career Services (Internships and Experience page)
Other Campus Employers (sites also contain non-student positions)
- Bookstore
- Chartwells (food service)
- Research Foundation
UAlbany Employers:
Employers must login to the Student Employment Site to be able to post Student Assistant positions. A User’s Guide is available on the site or you can contact studentemployment@uamail.albany.edu to request training or if you need an employer id/password.
