If you are graduating from TAMU soon and wish to attend graduate school, one thing you should be aware of is the importance of stipends. Stipends are sums of money that you apply for and a university gives to you for living and educational expenses in exchange for your commitment to conduct research, teach, or work at their institution. Universities may also require you to take a certain number of hours and maintain a high grade-point average for you to keep your stipend.

TAMU provides stipends via fellowships and requires students to take a minimum of nine semester credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, and six during the summer semesters. The university offers fellowship packages from $1,000 to over $30,000 and some include funds for insurance and tuition and fees. These payments can be paid on a monthly basis in a semester, or in a lump sum, depending on the department or college that you attend.

Stipends are very helpful in curbing the cost of graduate school expenses. However, it is important to be aware that not all stipends will cover every expense you have. It is important, then, to learn how to budget and, if need be, look into additional jobs for extra money (like tutoring!). Remember that stipends can be lost, so continue to work hard and keep those grades up!

For more information on graduate student funding opportunities, please visit the links listed below:

https://scholarships.tamu.edu/GRADUATE/Fellowships-Assistantships#0-GraduateFellowships

https://ogaps.tamu.edu/Buttons/Funding-Opportunities