Assistantships

Assistantships are salaried positions that require a time commitment ranging from 13–18 hours per week performing duties related to teaching, technical/studio/lab assistance, office administrative assistance and research. Assistantships constitute the majority of the school's financial aid funds.

Graduate assistants are evaluated each year and reappointment is based on the faculty evaluation of performance and the student's satisfactory progress in the degree program. Most assistantships are extended for the duration of the student's program. Students holding at least quarter-time graduate assistantships are eligible for in-state or out-of-state tuition waivers up to the minimum credits required for full-time enrollment. Tuition waivers for each semester will be granted to qualifying assistants, provided they maintain a 3.0 GPA and are employed on or before the first day of classes through the end of final exams. Tuition waivers do not cover fees associated with registration, (approximately $400–$600 per semester) nor do they cover lab fees, which range between $20–$45 per course. All fees must be paid by the fee payment deadline to avoid a $100 late fee payment charge and cancellation of registration.

Fellowships

Fellowships are competitive awards limited to students in terminal degree programs. They include a competitive stipend and full payment of tuition and fees up to the minimum credits required for full-time enrollment. Because fellowships are limited to terminal degree programs, the Master of Fine Arts program is the only non-PhD eligible program in the College of Fine Arts. Most graduate fellows will receive a minimum of two years of fully funded fellowship, and one year of research or teaching assistantship. Historically, fellowship recipients have had a high GRE and/or GPA, excellent letters of support and an outstanding portfolio.

Applications for graduate assistantships and fellowships are made by submitting the Fellowship/Assistantship Application to the department at the time of application to the program.

Student Loans

The Office of Student Financial Affairs administers student loans. All information requests and applications for loans should be sent to them at the following address:

Office of Student Financial Affairs
P.O. Box 114025
S-107 Criser Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611-4025
phone (352) 392-1275

Other Resources

The Graduate School maintains a useful page of links to other financial aid sources.