Financial Assistance

Want or need $$ to get through graduate school? A variety of sources of financial assistance are listed below. Please check this page regularly. New funding sources will be listed as they become available. Deadlines may change.

Graduate Assistantships at JMU
www.jmu.edu/grad/current/assistantships.shtml

Local Employment Opportunities - Off-Campus
Job Location & Development Coordinator
JMU's Student Work Experience Center. in the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships locates and lists off-campus employment for JMU students. For more information, go to www.jmu.edu/stuemploy/job_announcements.shtml.

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
http://www.jmu.edu/finaid/

FAFSA on the Web
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm

R.O.T.C. Two-Year Program
www.jmu.edu/rotc

JMU's Centennial Scholars Program
http://www.jmu.edu/centscholars/

Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program awards a limited number of scholarships to seniors and recent graduates planning to attend graduate school for the first time during fall of the award year.
Each award covers a portion of educational expenses, including tuition, living expenses, required fees, and books for the graduate degree chosen. The amount and duration of awards vary by student based on the cost of attendance and the length of the graduate program as well as other scholarships or grants received. The maximum available per student per year of study is $50,000 and the maximum length is six years.
JMU students interested in this scholarship must be nominated by the JMU Jack Kent Cooke Committee. Students may not apply directly to the Foundation or to the committee for this program. Interested students should contact their JMU undergraduate department before November 15 the year before they will enroll in graduate study. The JMU Jack Kent Cooke Committee requests candidate nominations from the JMU undergraduate departments in December. The nominees are selected in early spring (January-February) to allow time for the extensive application process.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
http://www.jackkentcookefoundation.org/

ETS R&D Fellowship and Internship Programs
Full announcements for each awards program, eligibility requirements, and application information will be available on November 1, 2006.
The goals of the ETS awards programs are to provide research opportunities to scholars who either hold a doctoral degree or are enrolled in a doctoral program and to increase the number of women and underrepresented minority professionals in the field of educational research or related fields, such as statistics, psychometrics, cognitive science, learning sciences, psychology, teaching and classroom research, linguistics, policy research, and specific content areas such as mathematics and reading.
Summer Research for Graduate Students Selected interns will participate in research projects under the guidance of an ETS mentor in Princeton. Seminars and workshops will be offered. Graduate students who are currently enrolled full-time in a doctoral program and have completed a minimum of two years of coursework toward their Ph.D. or Ed.D. on or before program start date, are eligible to apply.
Harold Gulliksen Psychometric Research Fellowship During the academic year fellows will study at their universities and conduct a research project under the supervision of an academic mentor and in consultation with an ETS research scientist. During the summer, fellows will be invited to participate in the Summer Research Program working under the guidance of an ETS researcher. The program is open to applicants who are enrolled in a doctoral program in psychometrics or statistics, have completed their course work toward the Ph.D., and are at the dissertation stage.
Postdoctoral Fellowship Up to three fellows will be selected and invited to conduct independent research described in a proposal submitted as part of the application process. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or an Ed.D. The fellowship is for a period of up to two years, renewable after the first year by mutual agreement.
Sylvia Taylor Johnson Minority Fellowship in Educational Measurement A fellow will be selected to conduct independent research, described in a proposal submitted as part of the application process. Candidates must have received their Ph.D. or Ed.D. within the past ten years. The fellowship is for a period of up to two years, renewable after the first year by mutual agreement.
To Apply: The application process for 2007 will open on November 1, 2006. No applications will be accepted prior to this date. Apply online at the ETS Fellowship and Internship Programs Website: www.ets.org/research/fellowships.html The deadline for applying is February 1, 2007.
Contact E-mail: internfellowships@ets.org Phone: (609) 734-5543

AAUW Fellowships One of the world's largest sources of funding exclusively for graduate women, the AAUW Educational Foundation supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.

  • American Fellowships support women doctoral candidates completing dissertations and scholars seeking funds for postdoctoral research leave or for preparing completed research for publication. Applicants must be U.S citizens or permanent residents. One-year postdoctoral research leave fellowships, dissertation fellowships, and summer/short-term research publication grants are offered.
  • Career Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor's degree and who are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. Applicants must be U.S citizens or permanent residents. Community Action Grants provide seed money to individual women, AAUW branches and AAUW state organizations, as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or nondegree research projects that promote education and equity for women and girls. Applicants must be U.S citizens or permanent residents.
  • International Fellowships are awarded for full-time graduate or postgraduate study or research to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Supplemental grants support community-based projects in the fellow's home country.
  • Selected Professions Fellowships are awarded to women who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and who intend to pursue a full-time course of study (during the fellowship year) in designated degree programs where women's participation traditionally has been low.
    http://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/index.cfm

    American Educational Research Association: Minority Fellowship Program
    Annual award to enhance the competitiveness of outstanding minority scholars for academic appointments at major research universities by supporting them conducting research and by providing mentoring and guidance towards completion of their doctoral studies.
    http://www.aera.net/fellowships/?id=88
    American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC): Academic Year Fellowship
    Annual award to support American Indian and Alaskan Native graduate students in Mater's, Doctoral, and professional degree programs.
    http://www.aigc.com/

    American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA): Minority Graduate Scholarships
    Annual awards to support outstanding graduate minority students in master's degree studies in accounting.
    http://www.aicpa.org/

    American Psychological Association (APA)
    Minority Fellowship Program
    The Minority Fellowship Program's objective is to increase the knowledge of issues related to ethnic minority mental health and to improve the quality of mental health treatment delivered to ethnic minority populations. We do this by providing financial support and professional guidance to individuals pursuing doctoral degrees in psychology and neuroscience.
    http://apa.org/mfp

    College Toolkit
    http://www.CollegeToolkit.com
    This comporehensive resource allows students to find and apply for scholoarships, serach through a database of more than 4000 colleges, and explore 900 careers all in one location. It is one of the most comprehensive sites for life after high school...and everything on the site is free for students to use.  

    Community of Science, Inc. (COS)
    http://fundingopps.cos.com/

    Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
    Scholarship Awards
    Annual award to provide partial support to Latino students who have a strong committment to the Latino community, a history of leadership and public service, and a desire to continue contributing to the community.
    http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarshipawards.htm

    Dissertation-Stage Support for Minorities, all fields Dissertation-year fellowships are available from the Northeast Consortium for Faculty Diversity. Graduate students (U.S. citizens) from underrepresented minority groups who are approaching their dissertation-writing stage or already in this stage--are encouraged to apply IMMEDIATELY for this Visiting Scholars-in-Residence support. Successful applicants spend a year-in-residence at the host campuses and have opportunities to build community with all other Scholars in the program. The program director coaches the Scholars on dissertation-completion, the academic job search, and preparation for succeeding in the professoriate.
    For info on the program and the application process, go to http://www.diversityoncampus.com/id2.html. The program director can be reached at joann.moody@earthlink.net.
    JoAnn Moody, PhD, JD
    Diversity Consultant
    Director, Northeast Consortium for Faculty Diversity

    The Dolores Zohrab Leibmann Fund
    Graduate Fellowships
    Annual award for the purpose of funding advanced education and graduate study grants to attract and support students with outstanding character and ability who hold promise for achievement and distinction in their chosen fields of study.
    http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/liebmann/

    Ethel Louise Armstrong Scholarship
    The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation, Inc. (ELA) works to "Change the Face of Disability on the Planet" by promoting health in communities through arts, education, and advocacy for the total inclusion of people with disabilities. Applicants must be female with a physical disability and be currently enrolled or actively applying to a graduate program in an accredited college or university in the United States.
    http://www.ela.org/scholarships/scholarships.html

    Fulbright Student Awards
    Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program aims to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. All applicants are required to demonstrate their project's relevance to the Program's mandate, which is to enhance mutual understanding between the two countries. All applications must be submitted electronically by October 20, 2006 and in hard copy by October 23, 2006 to IIE's New York office in order to qualify for awards for the 2007-2008 academic year.
    http://www.iie.org/fulbright

    Garden Club of America
    Award in Wetland Studies
    Annual award to promote wetland conservation through the support of young scientists in their field work and research. http://www.gcamerica.org/scholarship/coastal.html

    Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada
    The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) offers five annual scholarship programs. The Daniel B. Goldberg Scholarship of $10,000 is available for award to a graduate student who is enrolled in full-time master's study preparing for a career in state and local government finance. The Government Finance Officers Association's Frank L. Greathouse Government Accounting Scholarship of $3,500 is available for award to one or more undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in full-time study preparing for a career in state and local government finance. The George A. Nielsen Public Investor Scholarship of $5,000 (may be two awards of $2,500 each) is available for award to an employee of a local government or other public entity who is enrolled or plans to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate program in public administration, finance, business administration, or related field. The GFOA's Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship of $5,000 is available for award to an upper-division undergraduate or graduate student of public administration, (governmental) accounting, finance, political science, economics, or business administration (with a specific focus on government or nonprofit management). The Public Employee Retirement Research and Administration Scholarship of $4,000 is available for award to a graduate student in public administration, finance, business administration, or social sciences.
    http://www.gfoa.org/services/scholarships.shtml

    Graduate Student Fellowship Program- posted April 27, 2005

    Graduate Student Researchers Program (GSRP)
    NASA
    http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/nav//

    Institute of Living: Pre-Doctoral Internships in Clinical Psychology
    Annual program to provide trainees a diverse, well-supervised, and in-depth training experience that prepares them to assume full responsibility for patient care, and to function as independent practictioners of clinical psychology.
    http://www.instituteofliving.org/education/psychology_dept/internship.htm

    Islandic Fellowships The Leifue Eiriksson Foundation provides fellowships for one year of study in Iceland. Opportunities exist in many fields. http://www.leifureirikssonfoundation.org/

    The National Academies Fellowship Office of Policy and Global Affairs administers predoctoral, dissertation, and postdoctoral fellowship programs in research-based fields of study.

  • Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships for Achieving Excellence in College and University Teaching are designed to increase the diversity of the nation's college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students. Predoctoral fellowships support study toward a Ph.D. or Sc.D.; Dissertation fellowships offer support in the final year of writing the Ph.D. or Sc.D. thesis; Postdoctoral Fellowships offer one-year awards for Ph.D. recipients. Applicants must be U.S. citizens in research-based fields of study.
  • Jefferson Science Fellows spend one year at the U.S. Department of State as an adviser on science policy. Five new Jefferson Science Fellows were announced in May 2005.
  • Vietnam Education Foundation seeks to improve the science infrastructure in Vietnam. Fellowships are provided to Vietnamese students who wish to pursue graduate degrees in fields of science in the United States.
    http://www7.nationalacademies.org/fellowships/

    National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
    U.S. Department of Defense
    NDSEG Fellowships are intended for students at or near the beginning of their graduate studies closely related to the following disciplines: Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering; Biosciences; Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil Engineering; Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences; Computer and Computational Sciences; Electrical Engineering; Geosciences; Materials Science and Engineering; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Naval Architechture and Ocean Engineering; Oceanography; Physics; and other interdisciplinary areas.
    http://www.asee.org/ndseg

    National Science Foundation
    Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
    The National Science Foundation aims to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the United States and to reinforce its diversity by offering graduate fellowships in this competition.
    http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201&org=DGE&from=home

    National Water Research Institute
    Fellowship Program
    Annual award to support master's or doctoral graduate research related to water resources.
    http://www.nwri-usa.org/

    Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
    Students already in graduate study are eligible, though not past their second year.
    Candidates must be either holders of Green Cards, naturalized citizens, or children of two naturalized citizen parents.
    http://www.pdsoros.org/

    Phi Kappa Phi
    The Phi Kappa Phi Foundation was incorporated in 1969 to promote academic excellence and achievement by means of scholarships and fellowships. To support first-year graduate work, the Society offers annually through the Foundation 50 Fellowships and 30 Awards of Excellence, on a competitive basis, to graduating students who have been initiated into the Society and who have also been nominated by their chapters for the competition.
    Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships

    Radcliffe Institute
    Fellowship Program for Creative Artists, Humanists, and Social Scientists
    Annual award designed to support scholars, scientists, artists, and writers of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment who wish to pursue work in academic and professional fields and in the creative arts.
    http://www.radcliffe.edu/fellowships/index.php

    The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is named in Honor of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the laser physicist and Challenger space shuttle astronaut. Funded through a grant from the United States Department of Education, the objective of the McNair Program(s) are to increase the numbers of low-income, first-generation and underrepresented minority undergraduates who pursue doctoral degrees (specifically the Ph.D.) and go on to careers in research and teaching at the University level.
    The Graduate School will waive the $55.00 application fee for McNair Scholars. McNair Scholars requesting application fee waivers should complete a paper graduate application (rather than applying online) and attach a letter from their McNair Director that identifies the applicant as a McNair Scholar. Applicants may request a graduate application by contacting Lynette Bible, Director of Graduate Admissions, MSC 6702, 17 West Grace Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Completed applications with the attached letter should be sent to Ms. Bible. For further information, contact Ms. Bible by email at biblelm@jmu.edu.

    Scholarships, Internships, and Fellowships for Latino Youth
    Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
    Search their National Directory for funding.
    http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarship.htm

    Society for Human Resource Management Foundation scholarships
    Scholarships available for students pursuing education in Human Resource Management or related fields.
    http://www.shrm.org/foundation/default.asp?page=EducationGrants.html

    Summer Internship Opportunities in Washington, D.C.
    National Academy of Social Insurance
    Application deadline is past for the upcoming summer, check the website for future Student Opportunities. www.nasi.org/

    U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology Directorate
    Graduate Fellowships
    Annual award to support graduate students who have career goals aligned with the mission and objectives of the DHS.
    http://www.orau.gov/dhsed/05grad.htm

    World Bank Graduate Scholarships Program The World Bank offers scholarships for development-related university master's degree programs. The applicant must be a national of a World Bank member country eligible to borrow. http://www.worldbank.org/

    Fastaid Scholarship Search (CGOP makes no claims to the effectiveness of this web service.) http://www.fastaid.com/

    FastWeb Free Scholarship Search (CGOP makes no claims to the effectiveness of this web service.)
    Search over 600,000 Scholarships
    http://www.fastweb.com/

    Scholarship Help
    A student recommended this site. "The thought of getting scholarships has always been confusing for me and this site helped me understand what I should do and helped me avoid scholarship scams. I felt it might help other students as well."
    http://www.scholarshiphelp.org/


    • Financial Aid Guidelines for Graduate Students

    FAFSA on the Web
    Free Application for Federal Student Aid
    http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm