Graduate Financial Support

There are two types of financial support available through the University: merit-based awards and financial need-based awards. Applications for support are handled through various University departments as described below.

Awards based on financial need include grants and loans. Contact the Financial Aid Office (A129 Murphy) for applications and information. Foreign students are not eligible for support through Financial Aid. Loans can be obtained through the Office of International Students & Scholars.

Merit-based departmental awards are administered through the Graduate Affairs Office and fall into three main categories.

Awards for Incoming Graduate Students

  • Alyne & Leon Camp Fellowship: One outstanding student receives a stipend of approximately $8,000. There are no teaching/research responsibilities required during the first quarter.
  • Leo P. Delsasso Fellowship: One outstanding student receives a stipend of approximately $12,000. There are no teaching/research responsibilities required during the first quarter.
  • Robert Finkelstein Fellowship: One outstanding student receives a stipend of approximately $12,000. There are no teaching/research responsibilities required during the first quarter.
  • Edwin W. Pauley Fellowship: One outstanding student from each of several divisions within the College of Letters & Science receives two years of full fellowship at $14,000 per year and a two-year Teaching Assistantship.
  • Department Fellowship: Outstanding students can receive stipend, and/or Teaching Assistantship, registration fees and tuition (if US citizen and not a California resident) for the first year.

Assistantships

University support for graduate students is limited to a total of six years combined as a Teaching or Research Assistant (TA limit is four years, RA limit is six years).

  • Teaching Assistantships: The teaching assistant (TA) devotes approximately 20 hours per week under the guidance of the faculty to teaching laboratory or discussion sections, grading problem sets and examinations, preparing for classes, consulting with the instructors, and holding office hours. Exact assignment duties vary from quarter to quarter, depending on the TA's abilities and training, and the needs of the Department. The appointment (generally for a nine-month academic year) carries a taxable salary paid in nine equal installments beginning November 1. Students are free to accept other employment during the summer. Re-appointment of TA's depends upon two criteria: teaching performance must be judged to be good by both faculty and students, and normal academic progress must be maintained. Applications for teaching assistantships are available in the Scheduling Office.
  • Graduate Student Researcher: Graduate student researchers perform research as directed and guided by the professors for whom they work. Because these professors are usually also the students' research sponsor/thesis advisor, graduate student researchers have the additional advantage of progressing toward the completion of the dissertation while receiving support. Graduate student researcher awards are seldom offered to new students. Some proficiency in graduate work must be demonstrated before an award is made. For the nine-month academic year, the stipend of a graduate student researcher will be slightly less than that of a teaching assistant, unless the student is employed full-time during periods of academic recess. Applications for graduate student researchers are made directly by the students to professors whose research most closely corresponds to the research interest of the students.

Readers

The Department employs graduate students as readers for lower division courses. Applications for reader positions are made through the Physics Scheduling Office (1-707D PAB).

Merit Based Awards through the Graduate Division

  • Extramural Fellowships: The Graduate Division Fellowships Office maintains a library of extramural funding publications, including Annual Register of Grant Support, Grants Register, and Foundation Directory. The staff in the Fellowships Office (1252 Murphy Hall) advises students on application procedures.
  • Graduate Division Fellowships: Special awards such as the Eugene V. Cota-Robles Award and the Chancellor's Fellowship are designated for diverse and qualified new graduate students.
  • Graduate Division Research & Travel Grants: Limited funds are available for the partial support of thesis and dissertation research and travel to research conferences. Applications are available through the Physics and Astronomy Graduate Office. MANDATORY MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department pays a portion of the medical insurance premiums for graduate students who are employed as teaching and research assistants. Fellowships which cover registration fees include medical insurance premiums.

Graduate resources