Financial Assistance
Financial assistance through the Department of Communication Studies is available mainly through teaching assignments. There are a number of teaching assistantship (TA) positions and assistant instructor (AI) positions for properly qualified graduate students. There are a few fellowships offered by the College of Communication and the University.
All admitted applicants for the Department of Communication Studies graduate program are considered for financial assistance, so no additional application is necessary.
Being a Teaching Assistants or Assistant Instructors for the University of Texas and who are employed half-time and are employed for more than four and a half months earn the following benefits:
- They are entitled to pay in-state tuition, even if they are non-residents.
- The University of Texas Office of Graduate Studies awards partial tuition assistance to TAs and AIs that covers 9 hours of tuition each semester. This award is considered taxable income, so federal income tax is deducted.
- Premiums for medical insurance for TAs and AIs are paid by the University of Texas Office of Graduate Studies; therefore, graduate students receive the same health insurance as faculty and staff at not cost to them for the entire year; not just the academic year. Insurance for dependants is available for additional cost. Texas has no state income tax.
When grants are available, graduate research assistantships are awarded using the same criteria as teaching assistantships; salary rates are also the same.
In addition, a certain percentage of non-resident students who are awarded a scholarship of $1,000 or more (by a scholarship committee officially recognized by the administration of The University) are eligible to pay the same tuition as Texas residents.
Due to limited funds and the large number of students who are eligible for funding, competition for departmental funding is great. For information concerning University financial aid, contact the Office of Student Financial Services.
