Funding Graduate Studies

Visit the Tuition & Fees for Graduate Students page for detailed financial information. 

If your program is exclusively online, please visit the Tuition & Fees for Online Students page.

If you are an international student, please visit the Tuition & Fees for International Students page.

Financial aid — including federal loans, work-study, state aid and other types of assistance — is available to graduate students. We encourage students to review the Federal Financial Aid for Graduate or Professional Students and file the FAFSA each year. 

Please review these instructions for applying for financial aid as a graduate student. 

For information on financial aid for veterans and military-connected students, including the GI Bill and Military Tuition Assistance, please visit the Office of Veteran and Military Student Services website.

Academically competitive, merit-based awards are available in several of UAlbany’s graduate programs. They are available to both doctoral and master's students and generally support full-time graduate students. 

Tuition scholarships are awarded by academic departments and only apply toward the tuition charges on your bill. Please ask your academic department about the availability of tuition scholarships.

Graduate Assistantships provide practical teaching, research or administrative experience, often related to your academic program, as well as a stipend to compensate you for your work. 

Please contact your academic department, as well as your school or college, to inquire about available graduate and teaching assistantships. 

Some University offices, such as administrative services and Residential Life, also offer assistantships. Please log into Handshake to view any available opportunities. 

You may also wish to review our Graduate and Teaching Assistant Vacancies page.

Students selected for assistantships should review the Graduate and Teaching Assistant Benefit Information.

Fellowships provide a stipend without service requirements, allowing graduate students to be exclusively engaged in their academic work.  

Please inquire with your academic department as to the availability of fellowships within your discipline.

The Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP) provides partial tuition assistance to New York State Opportunity Program — Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) or Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) program — graduates who are admitted to certain graduate degree programs.

GOP provides a partial tuition scholarship. Awardees are responsible for any additional tuition costs not covered by the scholarship and all fees associated with enrollment. 
 

Eligibility

Applicants must be a New York State resident, have graduated from an EOP, HEOP or SEEK program, and apply and be admitted as a full-time student to a UAlbany graduate degree or certificate program that requires at least 30 credits.

Full-time students working more than 20 hours per week are not eligible to participate in the GOP program. 
 

How to Apply

Prospective students must submit a completed GOP Certification of Participation Form with their admissions application. Please note, the form is a fillable PDF and for full accessibility (electronic signature) you must open it using Adobe® Acrobat® Reader.

Funding is limited and cannot be guaranteed to all who apply. The priority deadline is February 15 and applications are reviewed as they are received. 

Please email [email protected] with any questions. 
 

Funding

Consistent with University guidelines, graduate students in the GOP program are held to the following funding limits: 

• Master’s students may be considered for a GOP award for up to four semesters 
• Doctoral students may be considered for a GOP award for up to eight semesters 

Funding is not provided for second master’s degree, non-degree study or a graduate certificate program of less than 30 credit hours.

Please email [email protected] with any questions. 

The Carson Carr Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program is a competitive, merit-based program for full-time graduate students (9 graduate credits) who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates will contribute to the diversity of the student body by demonstrating their commitment to facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and activities.

This award is named for Dr. Carson Carr, former director of UAlbany’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), in recognition of his stellar achievements in support of the recruitment, retention and graduation of underrepresented students. 

Carr Fellows receive a tuition scholarship, an academic-year stipend, and a Teaching or Research Assistantship. All awards are subject to University-wide policies concerning the limitation on state-allocated funding. 
 

Eligibility

1. Applicants must have earned by the time of enrollment, a baccalaureate degree granted by an accredited U.S. college or university, or an international university of recognized standing.  
    
2. Be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status by the time of enrollment and
    
3. Demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities.

Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility.
 

Selection

Selection of the Carson Carr Graduate Diversity Fellows will be prioritized as follows: 

1. New graduate students who are being recruited but who have not yet accepted admission to a State University graduate program. This first priority aims to recruit students who are from a low-income background (e.g., Pell-eligible as undergraduates), were first-generation college students (students whose parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree), have overcome adversity, are AmeriCorps alumni, or are veterans. 
    
2. Graduate Opportunity Waiver Program students who can be awarded a stipend to supplement their waiver to tuition.
    
3. Currently enrolled doctoral candidates who have completed all degree requirements but the dissertation (“ABD”).
    
4. Graduate Assistants and Teaching Assistants who can receive a supplement to their current stipends to enhance their retention in graduate studies. 
    

How to Apply

Applicants must submit an essay using 600 words or less, using the following essay prompt: 

“Please describe how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in your campus and/or local community. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, student’s potential to contribute to enhancing diversity efforts in their academic programs at SUNY and campus communities; experiences overcoming economic, social, educational disadvantages, and/or other barriers”.

Prospective students should submit their essay with their admissions application. 

Current students must submit an essay using 600 words or less and email their essay, with an Albany ID number, to [email protected] using the following essay prompt:

“Please describe how you’ve engaged, facilitated, and/or enhanced diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts during the last academic year. Examples could include personal, academic, and/or work experience and may include, but is not limited to, student’s direct experience contribute to enhancing diversity efforts in their academic programs or campus communities; experiences overcoming economic, social, educational disadvantages, and/or other barriers”.

Deadline: To be considered, you must submit your full graduate application by January 15 for summer and fall consideration, and October 15 for spring consideration.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

The Graduate School will honor requests for an application fee waiver from applicants affiliated with:

• Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) 
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) 
• GEM Fellowship Program (GEM) 
• Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) 
• Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) 
• Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) 
• TRIO Programs 

To request a waiver, submit a completed Graduate Fee Waiver Request Form and a certifying letter from your program director, attesting to your participation, with your admissions application. Please note, the form is a fillable PDF and for full accessibility (electronic signature) you must open it using Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. 

International and SOPHAS applicants are not eligible.

If your fee waiver request is approved, one application fee waiver will be placed on your account in the University at Albany application portal. 

Please email [email protected] with any questions. 

Note: The application fee can also be waived for veterans or their spouses. Please contact the Graduate School at [email protected] for more information.

The Dean’s Merit Award is a partial graduate scholarship for both incoming domestic and international students who plan to enroll full-time in a matriculated master's program, based on their academic achievements. 

• Students who are in a combined undergraduate-graduate degree program, participate in the Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP), or receive tuition support through an assistantship or fellowship are not eligible to receive the Dean’s Merit Award. 
• To receive and remain eligible for this award, a student must be enrolled full-time (9 graduate credits) in a matriculated master’s degree program and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. 
• The Graduate School determines eligibility based on their admissions application. There is not a separate application required to be considered for the Dean’s Merit Award. Recipients are notified at the time of admission.

Funding Levels:

• Domestic New York State resident applicants are eligible to receive an award up to $1,000/semester.
• Domestic Out-of-State applicants are eligible to receive an award up to $2,000/semester.
• Domestic online applicants, regardless of residency status, are eligible to receive an award up to $1,000/semester.
• International applicants are eligible to receive an award up to $2,500/semester.

Full-time students, defined as those enrolled in at least 9 graduate credits per semester, are eligible for support for up to four semesters. However, if you are in your final semester and do not require 9 credits to complete your program, applying for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) will not classify you as full-time, and you will not be eligible for this award in that semester.

UAlbany undergraduates and recent alumni who graduated within the last 5 years with a 3.0 GPA, plan to continue their graduate studies, and apply to a master’s program, will be automatically considered for the Great Dane Grad Scholarship. 

Qualifications:

• Students who are in a combined undergraduate-graduate degree program, participate in the Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP), or receive tuition support through an assistantship or fellowship are not eligible to receive the Great Dane Grad scholarship. 
• To receive and remain eligible for this award, a student must be enrolled full-time (9 graduate credits) in a matriculated master’s degree program and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. 
• The Graduate School determines eligibility based on their admissions application. There is not a separate application required to be considered for the Great Dane Grad scholarship. Recipients are notified at the time of admission.

Funding Levels:

• Domestic New York State, Domestic Out-of-State, and International applicants are eligible to receive this award for up to $500/semester.
• Everyone eligible for the Great Dane Grad Scholarship will also be automatically eligible for the Dean’s Merit Scholarship.
• These two awards combined will give domestic New York State resident students and domestic online students a total of $1,500 per semester, domestic Out-of-State students attending in-person a total of $2,500 per semester, and international students a total of $3,000 per semester.

Full-time students, defined as those enrolled in at least 9 graduate credits per semester, are eligible for support for up to four semesters. However, if you are in your final semester and do not require 9 credits to complete your program, applying for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) will not classify you as full-time, and you will not be eligible for this award in that semester.

Graduate Ambassador Program 

The Graduate Ambassador Program connects prospective graduate students with current graduate students who can answer questions about life at UAlbany and engages current graduate students.  

You can apply to become a paid Graduate Ambassador after completing your first semester in your program. 

To apply please email Soha Acosta, Director of Recruitment & Marketing, at [email protected]. 
 

Graduate Scholar Ambassador Award 

This award provides funding to graduate students who want to travel to their alma mater to present about their academic program, research and life at UAlbany.

The award offers our top students the opportunity to share their work in scholarly settings and promote graduate education. 

To apply please email Soha Acosta, Director of Recruitment & Marketing, at [email protected]. 

The Dissertation Research Fellowship Awards program helps offset research expenses related to dissertation projects, including: 

• costs associated with information access (but not basic computer hardware or software) 
• renumeration of human subjects 
• costs associated with buying supplies or renting equipment (students must obtain their project supervisor’s written consent to purchase chemicals)  
• other research-related expenses (excluding costs associated with producing a manuscript or travel to scholarly meetings to present research) 

A limited number of doctoral candidates are selected to receive this award each year. The one-time award generally doesn’t exceed $1,000 per student. 
 

Eligibility

Applicants must be doctoral students in good academic standing who have completed all required course work and exams, and who have been formally admitted or advanced to doctoral candidacy. 

Applicants may seek funding from other programs — including other major University initiatives, such as the Benevolent Association Research & Creative Activity Grants and Graduate Student Association Research & Professional Development Grants — but may not accept duplicate funding for the same expenses from multiple sources during the same academic year. 
 

How to Apply 

Applicants must prepare an application packet with the following materials, organized in the following order:

1. A completed application cover sheet, which includes an itemized budget with justification and a project description 
   • When justifying your budget, please describe how the potential award will facilitate the research project and why any budgeted materials cannot be supplied by the University. 
   • Your project description should be written so that readers outside the discipline can understand the proposed research project. You should also clearly indicate how this research project related to the completion of your degree. 
      
2. A statement of support from your research advisor 
   • The letter should indicate the status of your project and its potential impact. If your advisor is currently supported by external funding (such as state, federal or private grants and/or contracts), your advisor must explain to what extent their student is supported by these funds and why these funds are not available to support the research being described in your application. 
      
3. A curriculum vita 
   • This one-page listing should include your degrees, honors, publications, papers presented at professional meetings, etc. 
      
4. Approval to conduct research with human or animal subjects, if applicable
   • If your research project collects or will collect information on or about living human beings or animals, you must complete and submit a human subject or animal welfare approval form to the Office of Regulatory & Research Compliance before submitting your fellowship award application. 
   • The Institutional Review Board reviews and approves requests involving human subjects. 
   • The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee reviews and approves requests involving animal welfare. 
   • Final approval must be obtained before the start of the research project and before funds are released. 

Applications can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off at the Graduate School’s offices in Management Services Center (MSC) 209.
 

Review Process  

Applications are accepted and considered on a rolling basis, with no deadline. Funding decisions are announced monthly, so applicants should expect to hear back the month after the apply. 

If award funds are exhausted, remaining applications will be considered in the following award year. 

Faculty and staff from disciplines across campus, or Graduate School administrative staff, review applications. Evaluative criteria include but are not limited to: 

• quality and feasibility of the proposed research project and its design 
• clarity of the proposal to reviewers from other disciplines 
• clarity, rationality and appropriateness of the budget 
• evidence of matching funds from other sources 

Please email [email protected] with any questions. 
 

Final Report

All recipients must submit a one-page final report to the Graduate School Dean’s office at the conclusion of their award period. 

This report should describe the research facilitated by the funding and provide an update on the research project’s status. 

For more than 30 years, the University at Albany Alumni Association has provided scholarships to graduate students to help continue UAlbany’s tradition of excellence and opportunity. Visit UAlbany Alumni Association Scholarships to learn more. 

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) offers all current University graduate students the opportunity to apply for grant money to support their academic pursuits. To learn more, visit Graduate Student Associate.

Fellows can pursue any UAlbany doctoral program and receive transdisciplinary training in health disparities. Fellows receive funding to cover their full tuition and fees, compensation and other financial benefits, as well as training and mentorship. Visit Presidential Doctoral Fellowship for Research Training in Health Disparities for more information. 

The SUNY/OMH Mental Health Scholarship Pipeline Program creates a seamless pipeline that aims to attract, retain, and graduate students from diverse backgrounds who are trained in becoming mental health professionals.

The scholarship amount is $4,500 for undergraduate students, and $7,500 for graduate students per semester, for a maximum of three years (six semesters).

The SUNY/OMH Mental Health Scholarships Pipeline Program is open to all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law.

For any questions, students can contact Dr. Joseph Skrivanek in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Applications are due by Monday, September 16, 2024, and will be awarded beginning Fall 2024.