Finding Money

General Information on Student Financial Aid at OSU

There are limited programs for financial aid to graduate students, and applicants should not normally rely on university-related financial support to complete their education. The availability of financial aid for most programs is contingent on the state’s economic situation, which varies from year to year. Most graduate students work part- or full-time to meet their financial needs.

The School of International Studies offers a limited number of graduate assistantships and in-state fee waiver scholarships. International students are eligible for graduate assistantships and other jobs on campus, but generally are not eligible for other financial aid according to state and federal law.

Sources of Information

  • Complete information on financial aid programs is available in the Office of Financial Aid located in 119 SU, or 213 SU (scholarships), 405-744-6604.
  • The OSU Financial Aid website is at http://www.okstate.edu/finaid/.
  • A manual of financial programs is available at the Graduate College. Information about financial aid and scholarships is available on the Graduate College’s financial aid website http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/financial_aid/default.htm.
  • The Graduate College also has access to the Academic Research Information System Student Report, which produces periodic compilations of sources of financial aid for graduate students.
  • Notices of special grants and awards are placed on the School of International Studies web site and in the SIS office in 204 Watkins Center. Most campus and community organizations contact the School of International Studies when they want to hire students with certain skills or international expertise and these positions are announced in graduate classes.
  • The International Studies Master’s Degree Director has information about a limited number of specialty scholarships.
  • Employment is available on campus. View the OSU Personnel website http://www.okstate.edu/osu_per/hr/jobvac.html for employment opportunities or visit their office, 407 Whitehurst. The Edmond Low Library and Career Services, 360 Student Union, are sources of other employment information.

Availability of funds and programs, eligibility requirements and deadlines vary from year to year, and students should always check the latest information before assuming they are eligible for any particular form of aid and before taking any specific action.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

To be considered for a tuition waiver, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA forms are available in 119 Student Union or may be completed via the internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Funds may be awarded to students even though they do not demonstrate financial need, but they must go through the process. The FAFSA forms must be filed annually for continuation of tuition waivers. Incoming students will be considered for this aid. Students will receive a letter from the School of International Studies advising them they have received any support under this program.

Graduate Assistantships

Limited numbers of graduate assistantships are available to graduate students in the School of International Studies. Assistantships are not scholarships and are not given on the basis of need or academic performance; the university hires graduate assistants because of their professional experience and skills.  

The Director of the International Studies Graduate Program coordinates the assistantship program. The director may assign graduate assistants to help faculty by grading undergraduate assignments and helping with classroom management. Other duties may include assisting SIS Bureau staff on special projects.    

Assistantships are awarded for one academic year at a time (fall and spring semesters).   They are renewable for a third semester and in rare cases a fourth semester.   Students apply for the graduate assistantship when applying to the program, whether for the fall or spring semesters.   All students must reapply each year for the fall semester.   Applications are available in the School of International Studies office and must be submitted to the Director by March 1 . Notification of awards is usually made by May 1. Graduate assistants receive a monthly salary for 10 hours of work a week and have the out-of-state portion of their tuition waived.   They are evaluated at the end of each semester, and only those whose performance is satisfactory will be continued.

Graduate assistants on quarter time must enroll in a minimum of nine semester hours during the fall and spring semesters and at least four semester hours during the summer (if the assistantship is active during the summer).

Graduate assistants on halftime must enroll in a minimum of six semester hours during the fall and spring semesters and at least three semester hours during the summer (if the assistantship is active during the summer).

Financial Help from Professional Organizations and Associations

Numerous professional organizations and associations offer financial aid to graduate students in the form of scholarships, grants, awards, fellowships or internships. Some awards are for scholarly papers and theses, others are true scholarships, and others involve working for the sponsoring organization for a semester or less.

The Office of University Research posts announcements of these opportunities. These prestigious awards of interest to International Studies majors are the following:

  • National Security Education Program
  • Fulbright Fellowships
  • The Bailey Fellowship for Study Abroad – College of Arts and Sciences, 204 Life Science East.
  • Boger Distinguished Graduate Fellowship – Awarded to an outstanding member of the incoming class.
  • Watkins Distinguished Graduate Fellowship – Awarded to an outstanding member of the incoming class.
  • Boeing Intern Fellowship in International Studies – Provides support for SIS graduate student internships.

The School keeps a file of competitions for fellowships and awards in 204 Watkins Center.