Department Aid
The faculty meets as a committee of the whole to review resources and award financial
assistance to as many students as possible. The department offers approximately
twelve (12) half time (approximately 10 hours of work per week) teaching assistantships
(PhD and advanced MA students) and graduate assistantships (MA or PhD students)
each semester. These include a stipend, remission of tuition for graduate
coursework up to six hours and health insurance benefits. Teaching and
graduate assistants paying for hours beyond the tuition waiver are eligible for
the resident tuition rate provided they are employed at least quarter-time.
The TA usually teaches American Studies 181, 182,
183, 184,185, 186. Advanced graduate students may apply to
design their own 200-level course. The GA has different responsibilities
each semester, but often assists in one of the large popular culture
courses. TAs/GAs must be registered for at least six (6) hours
of graduate credit, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
in graduate work. PhD students are eligible for a total of
(6) semesters of financial aid from the department; MA students are
eligible for a total of (4) semesters of aid.
Advanced doctoral students at the dissertation stage may also apply to teach
a 300 level course as a Teaching Associate. Teaching Associates do not
receive a tuition waver. Teaching Associates must be registered for at
least six (6) hours of graduate credit and maintain a cumulative GPA of at
least 3.0 in graduate work.
Specific guidelines for financial aid applications are distributed to all students
each year in time for every student who so desires to apply for departmental
aid. Departmental aid awards are highly competitive and are based on
students' demonstrated accomplishments and departmental needs.
Other Sources of Aid
The Office of Graduate Studies offers a limited number of financial aid fellowships
and awards. Some may be held concurrently with other forms of aid. Contact:
Office of Graduate Studies, Humanities 107, 505/277-2711.
The University administers National Direct/Perkins Loans and Federal Direct
Student Loans and cooperates in the administration of a number of other such
funds, as well as work study and student employment programs. Short-term
emergency loans are also available to currently enrolled full-time graduate
students. Contact: Student Financial Aid Office, Mesa Vista North, 505/277-4953.
The Student Research Allocations Committee provides money for student research
projects and for travel expenses to conferences and workshops directly related
to the student's degree program. Contact: SRAC, Graduate & Professional
Student Association, Student Union Building (SUB), Room 1021, 505/277-3803.
Student members of the American Studies Association who have had papers accepted
for annual meeting may enter the ASA-wide competition the Gene Wise-Warren
Susman Prize, which includes a certificate and $500 in cash awarded for the
best paper presented by a graduate student at the meeting. Annette K.
Baxter travel grants are awarded to up to five graduate students in national
competition, and provide reimbursement for travel expenses up to a maximum
of $300 per recipient. Deadlines are in early September.
Some funding for travel and/or research is usually available through the Department's
American Studies Graduate Student Association.
The Department encourages graduate students to investigate outside sources
of funding for study/research. Copies of Research Notes, a guide to sponsored
research, are available in the Department office, and various listings of grant
opportunities are available through the Office of Research, 102 Scholes Hall
505/277-2256. |