Funding Options for Graduate Students at the University of Memphis

# Overview The University of Memphis Graduate School offers several avenues for graduate students to finance their education. These include tuition and fee waivers, merit‑based scholarships, graduate assistantships, and external grant opportunities. The following sections summarize the primary funding options, eligibility requirements, and known deadlines. # Tuition & Fees - Full‑time graduate study requires a minimum of 9 credit hours (unless a late‑stage doctoral student). - The Graduate School provides a cost‑of‑attendance calculator at https://umwa.memphis.edu/estimator/. - The Council of Graduate Schools offers a financial‑planning resource, including a debt‑to‑earnings calculator, at https://gradsense.org. # Non‑Resident Merit Scholarship - Award: $2,100 per semester (fall & spring) for a total of $4,200 per academic year. - Eligibility: * Non‑resident of Tennessee (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or F‑1/J‑1 visa holder). * Charged the non‑resident or international tuition rate. * Admitted to a graduate degree program (excluding law school and graduate certificates). * Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.25 (U.S.A. equivalent) or a completed master’s GPA; OR GRE score of 310 with at least 150 in Verbal and Quantitative and 2.5 AWA (or equivalent GMAT). * Must maintain full‑time enrollment each fall and spring; if below full‑time in the last semester, the award is prorated. * Must earn a 3.0 GPA at the University of Memphis each semester. - The scholarship is admissions‑based; no separate application is required beyond the admission application. - Students receiving graduate assistantships or other university funding (including non‑resident tuition waivers) are ineligible. # Part‑Time Master’s Graduate Scholarship - Award: $4,000 total ($2,000 each semester) toward tuition and fees. - Up to 10 awards per academic year. - Eligibility: * Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.25. * Admitted to or currently enrolled in a Master’s program. * Strong letters of recommendation. - Nomination Process: Departments recommend candidates to the Dean of their college or school; the Dean forwards ranked candidates to the Dean of the Graduate School. - Terms: * Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to receive second‑term funding. * Limited to one year. * Cannot hold a graduate assistantship or be employed by the university. * Must enroll for a minimum of 3 credit hours and a maximum of 8. - Deadline: Rolling; awards are made for fall and spring semesters as funds allow. # Border County Tuition Waivers - Waiver of the non‑resident portion of tuition for students from specific border counties. - Eligible counties: * Arkansas: Crittenden County. * Mississippi: DeSoto, Marshall, Tunica, Tate counties. - Eligibility: * Admitted to a degree‑seeking program or non‑degree option. * Must provide documented proof of permanent residence in an eligible county. - Application: Send proof to graduateadmissions@memphis.edu. # Graduate Assistantships ## Full‑Time Graduate Assistantships - Work average: 20 hours/week (half‑time employee). - Includes full tuition, fees, health insurance (starting fall 2024), and a stipend. - Requires full‑time enrollment (9 credit hours) unless at late‑stage doctoral, last semester of master’s, or thesis hours. - Health insurance available after 4 months of contract. ## Part‑Time Graduate Assistantships - Work average: 10 hours/week. - Tuition levels and stipends vary; health insurance not available. - Requires enrollment of at least 3 credit hours (or 1 credit hour for dissertation/thesis stage). - Summer enrollment not required unless a new student. - Assistantships are highly competitive and offered primarily through graduate programs or departments. - Students should contact their department to verify availability and eligibility. # Non‑Resident Waiver - Out‑of‑state students may receive in‑state tuition rates for part‑time enrollment (≤8 credit hours) if employed full‑time (≥37.5 hours/week) in Tennessee. - Requires a letter of employment on company letterhead each semester, submitted to graduateadmissions@memphis.edu by the final registration deadline. - Students may take up to 8 credit hours; exceeding this forfeits the waiver. - Students establishing residency may apply for in‑state classification after two consecutive part‑time terms. # External Grants and Fellowships - The Graduate School offers a limited number of competitive awards and fellowships; nomination is required from the student’s department. - External resources for grants and fellowships include: * https://libguides.memphis.edu/graduate/grants * https://pathwaystoscience.org/grad.aspx * https://new.nsf.gov/funding/graduate-students * https://mcnairscholars.com/funding # Employment Benefits - Many employers provide tuition assistance; students should consult their human resources office. # Key Deadlines - Non‑Resident Merit Scholarship: Award determined at admission; no separate deadline. - Part‑Time Master’s Scholarship: Rolling; awards made as funds allow. - Border County Waiver: Proof must be submitted to graduateadmissions@memphis.edu; specific deadline not listed. - Non‑Resident Waiver: Employment letter due by the final registration deadline each semester. - Graduate Assistantships: Availability and deadlines vary by department; students should contact their program. # Unknowns - Exact dates for the final registration deadline for the non‑resident waiver. - Specific stipend amounts for part‑time graduate assistantships. - Availability and funding levels for department‑specific merit scholarships. - Current status of the health insurance coverage for full‑time graduate assistants (starting fall 2024). # Source Limitations - The information is extracted from a single university webpage; it may not reflect the most current policies or deadlines. - Some sections reference external links that are not verified within this text. - Eligibility criteria and award amounts are presented as stated by the university but are not independently confirmed. - The article does not claim verification guarantees of accuracy; readers should consult the official University of Memphis Graduate School website or contact the admissions office for up‑to‑date details. Source: https://www.memphis.edu/graduateadmissions/future/funding_grad_school.php Checked: 2026-10-09T09:40:25.323484+00:00 Confirm details with the official institution before applying.