Contents > Financing Graduate Studies
Financing Graduate Studies
Financial assistance for graduate study consists of scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, student loans, and work-study. Assistance can come from the university, private sources, and/or the federal government. The Graduate College Financial Support Office provides information and assistance to graduate and professional students. For more information, see asu.edu/graduate/financial, or e-mail the office at GC-Financial@asu.edu.
Research and teaching assistants are considered to be residents for tuition purposes. In addition to their stipend, they receive a reduction in resident tuition and, if they are employed 20 hours a week, health insurance through ASU. See Assistantships and Associateships.
Fellowships and Awards
ASU offers several university-sponsored awards and fellowships for which both the Graduate College and the academic units conduct nominations and selections. Students interested in fellowships or awards should contact their academic department.
Financial Aid
To be considered for federal aid, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal FAFSA each year. The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Graduate students may be eligible for Federal Perkins Loans and/or William D. Ford Direct Student Loans. For more information, access the Web site at asu.edu/fa, or call the Student Financial Assistance Office at 480/965-3355.
Higher Education Tax Incentives
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provides assistance (Lifetime Learning Tax Credit) to graduate and professional students in meeting college expenses. For more information, access the U.S. Department of Education Web site at www.ed.gov.
Taxability of Financial Aid Programs
Scholarships, grants, fellowships, and stipends are taxable income to the recipient, except for the portion of these funds used for tuition and other university fees, or books, supplies, and equipment required for the courses being taken. Special tax regulations also apply to nonresident alien students and may require withholding of taxes at the time of aid disbursements to these individuals. Information on the taxability of fellowships can be obtained from the following Internal Revenue Service (IRS) publications and forms: Publication 4—Student’s Guide to Federal Income Tax; Publication 519—U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens; Publication 520—Scholarships and Fellowships; Form 1040EZ and Instructions—Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers With No Dependents; and Form 1040NR and Instructions—U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return.
These publications and forms can be obtained from the IRS at its toll-free number, 1-800-829-FORM (3676), and can also be accessed online at www.irs.gov.
Financial Aid for International Students
Limited assistance is available to international students who hold an F1 (student visa) or J1 (student exchange visa). This assistance consists of private fellowships, alternative loans from banks and private lenders, on-campus hourly employment, and any assistance from the student’s home country. Students should contact their academic department about teaching or research assistantships. More information on fellowships available to international students may be found on the Web at asu.edu/graduate/financial.
Online Services
Students can access personal information regarding financial aid by using ASU Interactive at www.asu.edu/interactive. Students can check on (1) documents still needed to complete the financial aid file—which can be printed from the Student Financial Assistance Web site at asu.edu/fa—and (2) award information.
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