“It’s important to have good interviewing and interpersonal skills,” said Steven Reeves, a masters of music in brass performance candidate and graduate assistant for the Office of Minority Affairs Young Scholars Program. “I heard about funding opportunities from professors in the School of Music.”
Students who want a graduate assistant position should get a head start on the application process.
“I started sending my resume out immediately after I received acceptance into my program,” said Sirita Harvey, a masters student in labor and human resources and GA for the Office of Minority Affairs. “I began interviewing in April for fall positions.”
The GA position pays for tuition and offers a stipend that can be used for housing but does not cover the cost of insurance or other fees, Harvey said.
Marc Nawrocki, assistant director of enrollment services for Moritz College of Law, said good students who are well rounded get more money for graduate school.
Doing well on tests, such as the Graduate Record Examination, could enable students to qualify for Graduate Fellowships, which cover tuition costs and provide a monthly stipend.
“Admissions tests are important indicators of success and should be taken seriously,” Nawrocki said.
It is also important to network and connect with people who can help write letters of recommendation.
“Build relationships with professionals and faculty,” Harvey said. She said students should have a grade point average higher than 3.0, leadership experiences, internships and good letters of recommendation.
Even with these connections, paying for graduate school can be difficult.
“At the graduate and professional level, students most likely have to take out loans,” Nawrocki said.
In many cases, students apply up to a year before the quarter in which they seek graduate admission. After applying, students can receive their admission decision between January and April.
For this reason, students should apply for FAFSA early to meet the deadline. Nawrocki said the FAFSA is the primary vehicle for loans. Applying for FAFSA also enables students to learn if they qualify for federal work study programs. Nawrocki stressed that students should learn how to live on a budget and invest in education.
Students must be willing to search all possible avenues and remember connections made with others can help them realize academic goals. Harvey said she learned about funding opportunities for graduate school by searching the Internet and talking to other graduate students, faculty and staff.
“One must be willing to search thoroughly for funding,” Reeves said. “When applying for graduate funding be patient, professional and positive.”
Saba Hunter can be reached at [email protected].
