Financial Aid and Funding
Overview
Financial support may be available for both Masters and Ph.D. students. Such support generally takes the form of teaching assistant appointments, research assistant appointments, and fellowships. These appointments include a regular stipend, waiver of all or part of tuition and fees, and a health insurance benefits package.
The number of appointments fluctuates annually with the availability of funding and enrollment. Although we do not guarantee financial aid to students, we do prioritize support for current students who are meeting expectations on progress toward their degree and for new student applications received by December 15.
Tuition costs and additional fees are outlined on the Finances page on OneStop.
Timelines
Applicants are typically notified of their financial support decision by mid-February. Completed applications received by December 15 are considered first and may improve your likelihood for receiving financial assistance. Applications received after December 15 may be placed on a waiting list.
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Types of Financial Aid Awards
Teaching Assistants
A teaching assistant (TA) appointment is the primary means of support for first-year students. TAs work under the supervision of faculty or academic staff, providing assistance to the faculty in teaching or advising students registered for specific courses.
Research Assistants
Research assistant appointments are provided by faculty members who hold research contracts and grants. Once a student is admitted, a graduate research assistant appointment is possible through direct discussions with individual faculty members. The faculty member providing support will serve as academic adviser. Research appointments may be made at any time during the calendar year depending on funding and other factors. It is expected that all students move to research appointments after their first year.
Fellowships
A select number of students are awarded departmental fellowships that may be combined with other fellowships and assistantships for incoming students on a competitive basis each fall. All students who apply by the December 15 deadline will be automatically considered for these fellowships.
Applicants and students are also encouraged to apply for fellowships and grants through the UMN Graduate School. Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit and are available to new and currently enrolled graduate students. Deadlines for these opportunities vary, and applications are coordinated by the Graduate School.
The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship is awarded by the Graduate School. The AEM department nominates its top Ph.D. candidates for this University-wide competition each spring. Minimum requirements for consideration include a GPA greater than 3.8 and one or more peer-reviewed and published journal articles. Students must have passed their preliminary oral exam and completed all their coursework to be eligible for this academic-year-long award. The fellowship includes stipend, tuition, and health insurance benefits.
International Students
International students should contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) for advice on employment and immigration status while at the University.
UMN requires high standards of English proficiency for nonnative English- speaking students who are appointed to TA and instructor positions. The AEM department requires that all TAs have an English Language Proficiency rating of 1 or 2. Learn more about English Language Proficiency ratings and find resources for international students.