Financial Support for PhD Students | Department of History

The Department of History has long maintained an excellent record of financial support for its PhD students. As long as individuals are making good and timely progress through the program, the department is generally able to offer full support until the completion and defense of the dissertation. Financial support opportunities include fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships, as well as Graduate College fellowships for incoming underrepresented students and students with an exceptional record of academic achievement. Many of our advanced students are students are the recipients of prestigious and highly competitive international and national awards and grants.

When students are accepted into the program, letters of admission will provide details of a multi-year financial aid package. This package usually includes a fellowship for the first year and guarantees at least five years of funding. However, the department is committed to supporting all eligible students for the duration of their training. The department also provides pre-dissertation research grants for all students, as well as fellowships for dissertation travel and research.

Support of MA/MSLIS students

The department does not currently have resources to support fellowships or TAships for students in the dual degree program. However, there are many opportunities for employment on campus, including in the library through the iSchool. Most of these appointments include tuition and partial fee waivers.

Financial Support Policies

Whether or not you are applying for financial support, an Annual Progress Review and a Financial Support Funding Card are required.

Because of IRS rules, you must be registered for 12 hours when you receive fellowship funds. The exception is a summer pre-dissertation grant, for which you need to be registered in spring (i.e. when you apply).

In order to ensure timely progress toward completion of your degree, it has long been department policy to discourage additional employment when you already have full-time (50%) employment (TA, RA, GA etc.) or full fellowship support. Exceptions to this policy can been made when professionally useful to you and when this will not slow your progress toward completion. There are also staff support considerations that will influence the number of exceptions we can make. Please discuss this with your advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Financial Support Opportunities in the Department

Financial support from the department for current registered students include fellowships, teaching assistantships and stand-alone teaching appointments. All current, registered graduate students should submit the Financial Appointment request form, typically due toward the end of the fall semester. There will be two mandatory Financial Appointment Information meetings before the deadline--after the meeting notes will be posted for reference and for students unable to attend. Applicants for teaching assistantships should also submit the Teaching Assistantship application. Research assistantships are arranged with individual faculty when they receive grants for this purpose.

Apply for financial support

Financial Support Outside of the Department

Many other campus units also offer fellowships and other appointments, especially international area studies centers, Humanities Research Institute, and other programs. The Graduate College also offers a variety of financial support including fellowships and assistantships--though the application is often through the department. See the links in the resources list below.

Please notify the Department when you receive outside funding

When you receive a fellowship or other support from outside the department, please notify the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Program Coordinator of your award as soon as possible. First, we want to congratulate you. Second, you must complete forms in a timely manner to receive a tuition and fee waiver. Third, please note to the DGS if this award will result in any changes to your current Financial Aid Request; likewise, if you receive awards/appointments after your department award/appointment, be sure to let us know. As much as possible, we want to maximize our ability to support all graduate students at a comparable level.