Financial Aid

Paying for Graduate School

Investing in your future shouldn’t feel overwhelming. At ACPHS, we’re here to help make your master’s degree affordable and accessible.

In addition to graduate student loans and aid, you may also be eligible for extramural funding through faculty research grants, graduate tuition scholarships and research assistantships.

International students are eligible for all awards unless research funding specifically requires U.S. citizenship.

Talk to Your Thesis Advisor About Research Funding

Faculty with external research grants may have funding available to support you. If you’re pursuing a master’s degree, connect with your thesis advisor to explore these opportunities.

Scholarships for Graduate Students

Every full-time student entering a master’s program at ACPHS is automatically considered for a graduate tuition scholarship when they apply — no separate application needed. These scholarships reward highly qualified applicants based on undergraduate GPAs.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs)

Graduate Research Assistantships give full-time master’s students in thesis-based programs the chance to gain paid research experience while advancing their degree. GRAs are available after completing at least one academic semester in good standing and can be renewed for up to three semesters.

As a graduate research assistant, you’ll work 10–20 hours per week on your research project while maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

You may receive both a tuition scholarship and a GRA, but cannot combine a GRA with a graduate teaching assistantship or other funded research support.

Applying for a GRA

GRA applications are submitted in consultation with your thesis advisor and must include:

• A cover letter requesting the award, describing your project and reasons for applying.

If you are renewing your GRA, in addition to the application, you must also submit:

• Research progress report
• Current, completed and signed Program of Study, with an updated timeline for the thesis project and expected date of project completion
• Letter of support from your thesis advisor

Deadlines are usually announced 1–2 months before each semester. GRA awards are decided in partnership with program directors, and students are paid hourly.

Additional Funding

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to contact the Graduate Admissions Office for information on loans and other possible aid opportunities.