Financial Aid

Research Assistantships

University of Delaware School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy Financial AidSeveral sources of financial assistance are available to all full time students in the School of Public Policy and Administration.

The primary type of aid awarded to graduate students in the School of Public Policy and Administration are research assistantships (RAs).

Research Assistantships are offered to students to work on research projects in one of the SPPA affiliated centers, pursuent to the following guidelines.

  • Students awarded research assistantships are expected to work 20 hours a week in an affiliated research and public service center during the contract period from September 1 to May 31 for which one will receive a stipend. Research assistants are required to work during winter session.
  • For students who are considered "on contract", the University pays a portion of the Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan for the student. Please see http://www.udel.edu/shs/insurance/index.html for more information.
  • RAs are awarded on the basis of merit. No financial need must be demonstrated for UD awards.
  • All U.S. citizens and international applicants are eligible for RA consideration. International students are eligible to seek research assistantships.
  • RA's are independent from University, state and federal educational financial aid programs.
  • Research assistantships are generated by faculty and staff. RA stipends are funded by research grants and contracts from external funding agencies.
  • To the extent possible, students are matched with projects based on their stated career goals, area of focus or specialization. However, because of external project constituencies and funding sources, sometimes projects don’t exactly match a student's specialization or area of focus. While centers attempt to accommodate a student's research and project interests, students are encouraged and may help generate their own RA and financial assistance as well. All students are further encouraged to pursue their area of interest through courses in the School of Public Policy and Administration, other University departments, internships, and independent studies.
  • According to the College of Arts and Sciences, students with research assistantships must register for a minimum of nine credit hours.
  • Research assistants "under contract" may not hold any outside employment.
  • Research assistantships are renewed subject to availability of funds, satisfactory academic progress and project evaluations, as well as completion of any required project work. All centers and academic programs review students annually. All continuing students must complete and submit a Financial Aid Request form and an individual Plan of Study each spring for the following academic year.
  • Renewal letters are distributed in the summer.

To apply for a research assistantship:

Applicants must complete the Supplementary Information Form; check the appropriate box indicating the center they want to be considered for a research assistantship, and then rank the centers in which the applicant wants to be considered for placement.

Tuition scholarships

A limited number of tuition scholarships are awarded by the University of Delaware or the School of Public Policy and Administration, which cover only tuition.

  • Students receiving tuition scholarships must register for at least nine credit hours.
  • Tuition scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit.
  • U.S. citizens and international applicants are eligible.

To apply for a tuition scholarship:

Applicants must complete the Supplementary Information Form, check the appropriate box indicating the center they want to be considered for a tuition scholarship.

University Graduate Scholars Awards

  • Departments may nominate deserving applicants for University Graduate Scholars Awards, which are reviewed and selected by a University committee.
  • Awards are competitive and are based on many criteria including challenging social, economic, educational, cultural or other life circumstances; academic achievements; first generation graduate student status; and/or need as determined by federal income guidelines (FAFSA).
  • Awards are granted in the form of research assistantships and have the same benefits and requirements as noted above in the research assistantship section, including the 20 hour per week work commitment.
  • Awards are granted for one year. Students may be re-nominated for the award in subsequent years.
  • Nominees must be U.S. citizens to be eligible.

Application instructions are included on the Supplementary Information Form. To be considered for nomination, completed applications MUST be received by January 15th each year, including submission of GRE scores, resume and an additional essay addressing all eligibility criteria that may apply to you.

Other UD awards

Other graduate awards include competitive assistantships and dissertation awards available from UD.

  • These awards are made to continuing students.

The Office of Graduate and Professional Education is committed to facilitating funding and fellowships for the graduate student body. These opportunities, available through university lines, as well as through external foundations and institutions, provide students with vital sources of support in their master’s and doctoral programs.  For more information, please go to: http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/financial/index.html

Office of Residence Life

Residence Hall Directors are awarded tuition and stipend plus living accommodations. Direct inquiries to:


Office of Residence Life
5 Courtney Street

Newark DE 19716

(302) 831-1201

ud-reslife@udel.edu
www.udel.edu/reslife
 

Loans and financial aid from federal and private sources

Students may choose to take advantage of financial aid and loan programs from federal and private sources.

All students are encouraged to explore and complete a federal FAFSA form.

For more information, contact:

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

Student Services Building

Newark, DE 19716

(302) 831-2126

(302) 831-4334 (fax)

sfs-advisor@udel.edu
http://www.udel.edu/finaid/


Scholarships for part-time students

A very limited number of scholarships are available for part-time (PT) students in the School of Public Policy and Administration, including Career Enhancement Option MPA students. These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of alumni and friends of the School of Public Policy and Administration.

Awards are made in recognition of achievement in the program. Continuing PT students are eligible to apply.