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September 28, 2009
Ask Dr. Sharon: Funding for the Ph.D. (Part 1)
Getting into a doctoral program is one thing but having the resources to complete the degree is sometimes quite another. Many of the questions I receive about funding a graduate program are fairly basic ones. Here is one of the most often asked questions and a response I might offer:
I travelled to a seminary campus recently to promote FTE fellowships at an information fair in the early fall. Most of the students present were in their second year of a M.Div. program and eager for information and "next step" strategies as they thought about continuing their education. After talking for some time about the process of applying to graduate programs, a young woman raised her hand. She asked, "What are the financial resources available to fund a doctoral degree?"
My response:
Great question! Funding should be one of the first factors you consider in conducting your initial research into graduate programs of interest. I strongly believe this! There are three funding resources to consider: institutional funding; outside fellowship support; and loans. Institutional funding is available to students in generally two categories (1) merit awards and (2) service-related positions such as teaching or research assistantships. In both of these instances students receive tuition and a stipend (to be used for living expenses.). Outside fellowships including support from organizations like the Fund for Theological Education (FTE), the Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships and others designed for students who sometimes fall in particular targeted populations including "women," "returning students," or "underrepresented groups." Many outside fellowships include tuition and/or stipend support (to be used for living expenses.) And finally federal Stafford Loans (both subsided and unsubsidized) for eligible U.S. students and permanent residents may be an option for students to cover some of their educational expenses.
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