Human Development and Family Studies Financial Support

Many students in our graduate program are awarded Graduate Teaching Assistantships in exchange for the student’s assisting a professor in teaching an undergraduate course or (co-)teaching an undergraduate course (for those with a master’s degree and/or advanced students with experience teaching a similar course). A 20 hour/week assistantship pays for all in-state tuition (or out-of-state tuition for the first year in the program only) plus a stipend (salary).

Assistantships may be split such that a student working half the hours (10 hours/week) would receive half of the benefits. On occasion, additional hourly teaching assistantship positions are available, but these positions do not cover tuition. Teaching assistantships are assigned by our department, based on qualifications and experience. Priority will be given to students in our Ph.D. program. The application to the Graduate School asks whether or not students are interested in these assistantships; no further application is required.

Many students in our graduate program are awarded Graduate Research Assistantships in exchange for the student’s assisting a professor with his or her research program. A 20 hour/week assistantship pays for all in-state tuition (or out-of-state tuition for the first year in the program only) plus a stipend (salary). Assistantships may be split such that a student working half the hours (10 hours/week) would receive half of the benefits. Additional hourly research assistantship positions may be available, depending on faculty grant funding, and usually, pay $16+/hour but do not include tuition.

Research assistantships are assigned by our department, based on qualifications and experience, as well as fit with faculty research interests and needs. Priority will be given to students in our Ph.D. program. The application to the Graduate School asks whether or not students are interested in these assistantships; no further application is required.

A number of scholarships are available to graduate students. Many of these scholarships have a single application form, which can be found on the College of Health and Human Sciences scholarships webpage. The deadline for these applications usually is March 1, for scholarships beginning in the fall of that year.

In order to qualify for scholarships, and if needed to supplement other sources of financial support, students can complete a FAFSA form, to determine eligibility for Work Study positions, loans, and other financial support. The Office of Financial Aid site includes information on obtaining in-state residency status; the cost of attending CSU; a budget calculator; an overview of scholarships, grants, and loans; student employment opportunities and Work Study; and more.

A limited number of graduate fellowships (usually two) are also available for first year students. These are awarded by the department. No additional form is needed.