The university has a long-standing commitment to make higher education more accessible to individual students. Various types of aid are available in the form of loans; work-study; scholarships, grants, and fellowships; and alternative payment options. We also encourage you to refer to the Michigan Engineering Funding page and the Office of Financial Aid website for additional information on graduate financial aid.
Doctoral students receive a full financial aid package for up to four years (with previous Masters) and five years (without previous Masters) or completion of the PhD, whichever is first. The total financial aid package includes full academic year tuition, mandatory fees, healthcare insurance, and a monthly stipend.The aid may be provided in a variety of forms and include a combination of a graduate fellowship, an appointment as a graduate student research assistant (GSRA), graduate student instructor (GSI), or graduate student staff assistant (GSSA).
Doctoral students are also encouraged to seek other funding sources for their dissertation studies, such as NSF and U-M fellowships. Please note that this funding is renewable based on satisfactory academic and research performance, good standing in the program, and successful progress towards the degree.
Tips to Make Your Financial Aid Application Process Run Smoothly
- Apply for aid early, read everything the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) sends to you, and respond quickly to any requests for additional documents. To be considered for all financial aid programs for which you are eligible, apply by the priority application deadline.
- Maintain a file of your financial aid materials.
- Keep your current (local) and permanent addresses up-to-date in Wolverine Access. Also be aware that we will send important notices to your umich e-mail account (current U-M students only).
- Keep track of your submitted documents and your financial aid disbursements using Wolverine Access (current U-M students only).
- If you have questions, send an email, call, or visit OFA to talk with a financial aid counselor.
Sources of Financial Aid
CEW Scholarships
CEW assists students to complete their education, make career decisions, develop professionally, and balance school with other family and life responsibilities. In addition, CEW offers scholarships for returning women students at the University of Michigan and emergency grants for U-M graduate students.
CEW Scholarships Page
Federal Direct PLUS Loan for Graduate Students (Grad PLUS)
Recent legislation now allows graduate students to borrow through the Federal Direct PLUS program. The Grad PLUS program is a non-need-based federal loan with a fixed interest rate. Graduate students can borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus any other financial aid they are receiving.
U-M Graduate Student PLUS Loan Page
Federal Direct Stafford Loans
The University of Michigan participates in the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. Federal loans are funds borrowed from the federal government. The funds must be repaid, with interest, after you are no longer a student. To qualify for the loan, you must be enrolled at least part-time in a degree or certificate program.
U-M Financial Aid Federal Loans Page
Federal Student Aid Stafford Loans Page
Post 9/11 GI Bill
The Department of Veteran Affairs provides tuition assistance for individuals who have at least 90 days of active service on or after Sept 11, 2001.
GI Bill Website
Private Scholarships
Many private scholarships for college students are offered each year by a variety of corporate, professional, trade, government, civic, religious, social, and fraternal organizations. These scholarships can range in amount from small honorariums to thousands of dollars. To be considered, students must meet the eligibility criteria specified by the donor and complete the donor’s scholarship application.
U-M Finding and Applying for Private Scholarships Page
Rackham Funding
The Rackham Graduate School’s website includes information on financial aid resources (http://www.rackham.umich.edu/funding). Rackham also administers a variety of grants and scholarships (http://www.rackham.umich.edu/funding/rackham).
Other Possible Sources for Engineering Fellowships
The College of Engineering has identified a list of fellowships that have been identified as being relevant for Engineering graduate students.
College of Engineering Fellowships Page
NOTE: Short-term and certificate only programs do not qualify for federal financial aid. Federal financial aid only applies to degree-granting programs.