Your Resources: Things to Know Before Financing a Graduate Degree

Must read article: "Money for Grad School: Before you Commit to a Pricey Program, Check Out Grants, Fellowships and Loans"

Helpful websites:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• American Association of University Women (AAUW)
• Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program
• Truman Scholarship
• FastWeb.com
• GradSchools.com
• CollegeScholarships.org
• students.gov (search for 'graduate fellowships')
• Graduate PLUS program
• Texas State Graduate College & Celebrity Classic Scholarship
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
• International Student Financial Assistance Resource
• 2011 - 2012 HACU Scholarships
• IDPAS Guide to Successful Grant and Reviews

Additional Resources:

           National:

• Mexican American Legal Defense Fund
• Latino College Dollars
• The East Los Angeles Community Union (Nationwide)

          State:

• TASFA
• TEXAS Grant
• Texas Public Education Grant (Texas High School graduates qualifying for state residency under Education Code Sections 54.052 & 54.053 (formerly House Bill 1403/Senate Bill 1528) are eligible to apply for state financial aid as well as pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities.)

Dean's Graduate Student Scholarship (DGSS):

Each academic department in the College of Applied Arts administers a variety of scholarships. To qualify for scholarships, students must meet specific criteria. For the availability of scholarships in a particular program, you should visit the departmental websites for details. Below are the financial opportunities offered by the College of Applied Arts to graduate students attending graduate studies in our respective departments.

Student's who have not attended Graduate College at Texas State University and who will enter Graduate Studies in any of the College of Applied Arts programs (Ag Education, Criminal Justice, Family and Child Studies, Child Life Track, Human Nutrition, Occupational Education, or Social Work) in the Fall of a given academic year may compete for one of fifty $1,000 scholarships to be awarded by the Dean of the College of Applied Arts, Dr. Jaime T. Chahin. Due to Statewide budget shortfalls,  the number of scholarships to be awarded will be based on available funding.

To apply for the scholarship the prospective student must meet the following criteria;

1. Submitted Online (DGSS) application
2. Newly accepted student for the Fall/Spring semester (no previous graduate course work completed at Texas State)
3. Grade point average in last 60 hours of their undergrad above 3.0
4. Registered in at least 6.0 hours in their first semester at Texas State
5. Have paid a minimum payment toward registration bill
   

Click here to apply for the Dean's Graduate Student Scholarship (DGSS).

Current students or students who are former Texas State Graduate students are not eligible.

College of Applied Arts Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF):

The purpose of the research fellowship program is to allow students the opportunity to learn more about conducting research by assisting faculty with various research projects (i.e., book, research article, grant proposal). The student will work with a professor for approximately 20 hours a week for $6,250 a semester. The positions are awarded for a 9-month duration (September 1 through May 31).

ELIGIBILITY

• Students can apply for research fellowships only in the program they have accepted into (not a masters program in another department). For example, only those accepted into the Masters in Criminal Justice program can receive a Criminal Justice research fellowship.
• Minimum overall undergraduate or graduate GPA of 3.25.
• Unconditional admission
  
  APPLICATION PROCEDURE
  Students must apply by June 1, 2012 for the positions that begin September 1, 2012. Students will apply by submitting an application to      

             Texas State University-San Marcos
             The College of Applied Arts
             Agricultural Building, Suite 306
             601 University Drive
             San Marcos, Texas 78666-4605

Click below for the application for the CAA Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF). 

dms/college-of-applied-arts/graduate-studies/GRF2012-13.pdf

Priority is given to new incoming Graduate Students.

Please contact

Yolanda Quintanilla at 512-245-3538 or yq10@txstate.edu

with any questions or concerns you may have.

The application packet must include:

1. The Graduate Research Fellowship application.

2. A one-page (single-spaced) personal statement of career goals and future plans, including why you would like to    have a research position.

3. Two (2) letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes with signatures across the seal. At least one letter must be from a professor in an academic institution. Recommendation letters should be addressed to the GRF Selection Committee.

4. The Graduate College has scanned your official transcript(s) from the institution granting the most recent degree and any coursework that fulfills requirements for the current degree program. The new student information system allows us access to view your official transcipt(s). Submissions of transcripts are no longer neccessary.

5. A current resume with the following categories presented in reverse chronological order (most recent first).

        Personal information
        Current program and institution
        Degrees earned and year of graduation
        Names of institutions attended
        Employment experience and dates of employment
        Professional presentations: title, date and location of presentation
        Professional publications
        Professional memberships
        Awards
        Professional committee involvement
        Voluntary community service activities
        Any other extra-curricular or professional activities

REQUIREMENTS OF GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
• Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• Student must maintain 9 graduate hours of coursework each semester.
• Student must remain in good academic standing.