Financial Aid and Tuition Costs

Financial aid is awarded on a competitive basis to entering graduate students whose academic records indicate high potential for success at the University of Delaware.  In recent years, available funding has been sufficient to offer assistance to many especially strong students.  After the first year of study, many students receive funding, and this funding is typically continued as long as the student makes reasonable progress.  

Financial aid possibilities include the following:

• Tuition-Only Grants for Fall and Spring Semesters.
• Appointment as a Teaching Assistant for undergraduate courses in Economics.  These positions are typically available to students only after successful completion of their first year of study and the comprehensive exams.  Students have the opportunity to assist faculty or teach their own sections of introductory microeconomics or macroeconomics.  For the 2009-2010 academic year, Economics department TAs receive tuition plus a stipend of $7,600 per term.  Many TAs also have the opportunity to teach in Winter and/or Summer session.  TAs teaching in those terms receive a stipend of approximately $3900. 
  • In order to qualify as a TA, all foreign students must attend a summer course at the University of Delaware English Language Institute (ELI) and pass a stringent English language test.  Some, but not all foreign students, are able to pass this test.  We cannot guarantee financial support to students who are unable to pass the language test.  
• Serve as a TA for statistics courses offered by the Department of Mathematics. For the 2009-2010 academic year, Statistics TAs receive tuition plus a stipend of $7,600  per term.  These TAs must also pass the ELI language test.  
• Work as a Research Assistant  for faculty. This provides a great opportunity to become involved in a research project.  For the 2009-2010 academic year, RAs receive tuition plus a stipend of $7,600 per term and are expected to work 20 hours per week. 
• Corporate Fellows.  These positions require 20 hours/week during the school year in an off-campus private-sector setting.  For the 2009-2010 academic year, Corporate Fellows receive tuition plus a stipend of $7,600 per term, plus the opportunity to work and receive additional income during the winter and summer sessions.  We currently have five corporate fellows positions.
• Presidential Scholarships for highly qualified low-income students.   
• Dissertation Awards.

We encourage all students who want to be considered for financial assistance to complete their applications by February 15 for Fall enrollment and by November 15th for Spring  enrollment.  Late applications by highly-qualified students are considered when funds are available.

For more information on tuition costs and financial aid policies at the University of Delaware, see the web site of the Office of Graduate Studies.