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Are there any scholarships or assistantships available at the universities I am considering for a Master's?

31 Aug 2026 · Answered by Abhishek Mehta · 2 min read
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Yes, master's funding typically comes through graduate assistantships offering a stipend, health insurance and a tuition waiver for 10 to 20 hours of weekly work, plus merit scholarships needing no service commitment, need based grants, and external sources such as NSF grants for STEM, decided mainly by your department.

Abhishek Mehta
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Funding for your master's, including scholarships, fellowships and assistantships, is widely available, though how much you can access depends on your specific university, department and whether your programme is research focused or more professional in nature. Since decisions are made mostly at the department level, it helps to know exactly what to look for and who to ask.

Common Types Of Graduate Funding

Funding TypeWhat It Typically Covers
Graduate Assistantships (TA, RA, GA)Stipend, health insurance and partial or full tuition waiver for 10 to 20 hours of weekly work
Merit Scholarships and FellowshipsAwarded for academic excellence or background, no work commitment required
Need Based GrantsBased on financial background, less common at master's level
External FundingPrivate foundations or government agencies, such as NSF for STEM fields

How You Can Secure Funding At Your Target Schools

Because graduate funding is heavily decentralised, your specific academic department, not the central admissions office, usually controls most assistantships and departmental scholarships. Many universities also set priority funding deadlines well before the final application deadline, so missing this window can reduce your chances of landing a TA or RA role. Reaching out directly to your graduate programme coordinator to ask whether master's students are typically eligible for teaching or research assistantships is one of the most effective steps you can take.

My Advice

Start your funding search at the department level rather than the general admissions page, since this is where most assistantship and scholarship decisions actually happen. Email your graduate coordinator early, before the priority deadline, and ask directly whether a separate funding application is required for your specific programme.

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