Travel Awards
Travel awards assist students in presenting papers at professional meetings and conferences. Amounts available will vary. In the 2008-09 academic year, doctoral students were eligible for travel awards up to $750 per year; master's students were eligible for up to $500. The Student Travel Form must be completed and returned to the Graduate English Office at least three weeks prior to the meeting date. Doctoral and master's students need to follow different instruction forms. The travel expense voucher must be completed upon the student's return to IUP. All forms are available on line from the School of Graduate Studies and Research or in hard copy from the Graduate English Office.
Employment Programs
The student employment program provides an opportunity for graduate students to earn money to help finance educational expenses. There are two types of student employment programs at IUP: Federal College Work-Study Program (CWSP); and University Employment Program (UE). Both programs help defray the cost of education and add valuable practical experience to the student's graduate education. Students may be employed for up to twenty hours per week when classes are in session and forty hours per week during vacation periods. All students, including international students, are eligible for the UE program. There is no application required. Financial need is not a criterion. For CWSP, however, eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the Pennsylvania State Grant and Federal Student Aid Application. This form is available in the Financial Aid Office. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office.
Graduate Assistantships
Each year the Composition and TESOL program is allocated a limited number of graduate assistantships. Assistantship awards are made on a year-to-year basis and are based on academic achievement rather than financial need. Graduate assistantships may be renewed for the second year.
A half-time assistantship (twenty hours per week of duties) provides a full tuition waiver for a full year, including the following summer, as well as a stipend during the academic year.
A quarter-time assistantships (ten hours per week of duties) provides a half-tuition waiver and half stipend.
The stipend amount varies from year to year. More information about the current value of the stipend is available from the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
Graduate assistants are assigned for ten to twenty hours per week of duties under the supervision of Composition and TESOL faculty in the graduate program. Duties of the graduate assistant may include assisting on a research project, library research, course assistance, or tutoring in the Writing Center or the American Language Institute in conjunction with a faculty member of the program. Graduate assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine graduate credit hours each semester for the academic year of their appointment. Assistantships are not available during the summer. Assistantships may be renewable for a second year. Students should contact the graduate school to apply for graduate assistantships. The graduate school issues assistantship contracts and the program director makes assignments of graduate assistants to faculty members. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office.
Student Loan Program
Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) applications may be obtained through private lending institutions such as banks and credit unions. A Pennsylvania State Grant/Federal Student Application must also be filed. A subsidized GSL requires no payment of principle or interest until six months after the student ceases half time attendance. Nonsubsidized GSLs require the student to make quarterly interest payments while enrolled and during the grace period. Financial need as determined by the Pennsylvania State Grant/Federal Student Aid Application determines whether all or part of the GSL is eligible for interest subsidy. Repayment of principle and interest begins six months after the student ceases half-time attendance.
Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) are available through private lending institutions such as banks and credit unions and are administered in conjunction with the federal government. The interest rate is variable. Repayment of interest begins thirty days after the funds are received with principal deferred while the student is enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Applications are available through your lender.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Alternative Loan may assist students who are ineligible for GSL/SLS or who need additional financing to meet educational costs. The interest rate is variable with repayment of principal and interest beginning thirty days after the funds are received. For an application, contact PHEAA at 1-800-692-7392 or write PHEAA, P.O. Box 2165, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2165. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office.
Teaching Associateships
Doctoral students who have finished course work are eligible for positions as teaching associates in the English Department. A teaching associate may be given responsibility for teaching up to six credits of undergraduate courses per semester. For these teaching duties, the teaching associate receives a salary of $13,000 to $17,000. Teaching associates are appointed on a year-to-year basis not to exceed two academic years. Applications are made through the Graduate English Office and nominations are made by the program director and approved by the department and dean. Only doctoral students who have finished course work are eligible for TA positions. Applications for teaching associateships are available in the Graduate English Office.
Veterans Programs
IUP is approved to offer training under the various G.I. Bills. Students who are entitled to training under one of these bills should contact the veterans counselor immediately after being accepted for admission to IUP in order to secure additional instructions. This procedure is necessary so veterans may be included on the monthly payrolls. The Office of the Veterans Counselor is in 302 Pratt Hall, 724-357-2234. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office.
Outstanding Research Awards
Every year, the School of Graduate Studies and Research offers graduate students outstanding research awards. The awards are competitive and open to graduate students nominated by any department offering graduate courses.
One original proposal with the nominating letter must be submitted to Beverly Obitz in Room 120, Straight Hall. Guidelines for submissions are available from the School of Graduate Studies and Research. For more information, please call 724-357-2224 or e-mail Beverly Obitz at bobitz@iup.edu.
Research Grants
Research grants are intended to encourage students to undertake research and creative projects which will contribute new insights to the student's academic field. Information and submission guidelines are available through the School of Graduate Studies and Research.