Financial Support
Funding
Under normal circumstances, full-time students in the thesis-based MS and PhD programs making satisfactory progress towards a degree receive financial support of a stipend and a tuition waiver. Support during the academic year is provided through teaching assistantships or research assistantships; support through externally funded fellowships or scholarships is also encouraged. Summer support is usually provided through research assistantships funded by the advisor's external grants.
Fellowships paying less than the department stipend will be supplemented up to the department stipend level from research advisor funds. As an incentive to apply for independent funding, students winning competitive fellowship support may receive additional stipend monies from their research advisor's funds. Such supplements are at the research advisor's discretion and are limited to 20% of the current departmental stipend level. If the fellowship pays more than 20% above the departmental stipend level, no additional supplements may be given.
Tuition waivers are not provided for students in the non-thesis MS and 4+1 programs; these students must cover their own tuition. Students in these programs may apply for a limited number of teaching assistant (TA) positions to obtain financial support, however this is not guaranteed.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistants (TAs) receive a stipend. Students in the thesis-based MS and PhD programs receive support during the summer term either from Research Assistantships (RAs) or other funding sources. Very few TAs are available during the summer months.
In accordance with University of Delaware regulations, foreign students must meet the University of Delaware's Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirement by earning a score of at least 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 100 on the TOEFL iBT in order to qualify for TAship.
The TAs responsibilities and performance standards will be established by the faculty member who teaches that course. In the event of an unsatisfactory performance by a TA, the course director will notify the student and the Graduate Affairs Committee. The Committee may recommend termination of the assistantship to the Department Chair.
Research Assistantships
Students in the doctoral program usually will be supported as Research Assistants (RAs) through their advisor's research funds after their second year. RAs receive a stipend and full tuition scholarship. The RA's advisor is responsible for defining the student's responsibilities and for evaluating the student's performance. In the event of an unsatisfactory performance by an RA, the advisor will notify the student and the Graduate Affairs Committee at least four weeks prior to terminating the assistantship.
Internal and External Awards
Students are encouraged to seek funding in the form of fellowships or scholarships from sources within the University and from private and federal agencies. The Graduate Program Director will advise students of these opportunities.
