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Graduate Funding Opportunities

Departmental Assistantships

Many of our students serve on departmental assistantships. Each year the Department receives a budget for the funding of graduate assistantships, which includes a tuition waiver and a stipend for Graduate Assistants. In addition, some grants include funding for graduate assistantships. We choose most graduate assistants on a semester-by-semester basis depending on needs of the Department and availability of funds.

Types of Assistantships

  • Teaching Associates (TOs): teach an undergraduate course under supervision by a faculty member
  • Teaching Assistants (TAs): teach a discussion session of a class
  • Graders: assist a faculty member or a TO with grading and distribution of assignments
  • Research Assistants (RAs): work with faculty researchers on their projects

For more information on Departmental Assistantships and how to apply, explore here.

External Funding

The department encourages our students to find funding in other departments at UF where possible. Our students have held assistantships in a variety of other departments at UF. Funding opportunities for the social sciences are also offered by many other organizations outside of the University.

More information can be found on the External Funding page.

You can also visit the University of Florida’s Office of Student Financial Affairs to learn more about external funding, including federal loans. You will need to fill out a FAFSA to receive any federal loans through UF. The Financial Aid Office also uses the information from your FAFSA to assess graduate students’ eligibility for small need-based grants ($2,000-8,000 per year). These grant funds are limited and thus awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. To be considered for these grant funds, you should submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after January 1 for the following academic year.

Departmental Scholarships and Awards

Our department offers several types of research funding for both incoming and current graduate students. Please view the Departmental Research Awards page for more information on individual awards and how to apply. Available awards are listed below.

Amaya Burns Award

Paul and Polly Doughty Research Award

Elizabeth Eddy Dissertation Write-Up Fellowship

Elizabeth Eddy Doctoral Completion Award

Charles H. Fairbanks Award

John M. Goggin Memorial Scholarship

Zora Neale Hurston Fellowship

William R. Maples Memorial Scholarship

James C. Waggoner Jr. Grants-in-Aid