For more information, review the ESPM Graduate Student Policy.
Students might also wish to learn more about travel grants by reviewing information through Graduate Division Conference Grant. You may also learn more through the Graduate Assembly Travel Grant.
Fellowships
Merit based fellowships are awarded to students annually by the ESPM Admission/Fellowships Committee. The Committee makes as many awards available as possible each year. However, because funds are limited, it is an unfortunate fact that sometimes well-qualified applicants do not receive fellowships. Awards are based on a combination of excellence in scholarship (a minimum of 3.5 GPA in the last two years of undergraduate work or in any graduate work completed), clarity and aptness of academic and career objectives, and letters of recommendation. The committee ranks both entering and continuing students, and makes awards available to as many of the top-ranking students as funds allow. Applicants from alternate lists sometimes receive fellowship monies if for any reason an awardee declines a fellowship offer. Awards may include all or a portion of student fees or non-resident tuition, and/or a stipend.
Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Research Assistants (GSR)
ESPM graduate student Andrew Rominger explains research to his lab group. Photo by James Block.
Students seeking TA appointments must submit an online application for courses they are interested in teaching. Instructors may wish to perform an interview prior to making a final selection. The hiring process is completed following the contract agreements with the UAW, which represents the TAs. Students who do not have departmental fellowship, GSR, or TA support should contact individual faculty to inquire whether they have any GSR positions available through their extramural grants. Refer to the Graduate Student Instructor Teaching & Resource Center for a comprehensive list of all Graduate Council requirements for the preparation of first-time TA preparation.
Issues with Payments
If you are a current ESPM Graduate Student who has not received a payment or has received a payment different from your expected salary, please contact us using the ESPM Payments and Funding Issues Tracker Form.
This document is reviewed by the ESPM Department Manager, ESPM Graduate Student Affairs Officers (GSAOs), BEST region HR Generalist, ESPM Head Graduate Advisor, and ESPM Head Graduate Funding Advisor.
Current Student Financial Difficulty
Unanticipated situations occur throughout a student's career. While the ESPM Department does not guarantee funding to support every situation, it does aim to support its graduate students through their academic journey with resources when available. Various resources exist on and off campus to provide support during financial difficulty due to medical and or other urgent needs. The Orion Fund aids students with serious injury or illness. The Basic Needs Center can provide temporary loans for support.
If you are a current ESPM graduate student having financial difficulties due to unexpected hardship, please let us know using the ESPM Graduate Student Financial Tracker and Needs Assessment Form. Please note, that due to the budget of this program, all decisions and funding will be administered at the end of the academic year (May/June 2025).
This document is reviewed by the ESPM Department Manager, ESPM Graduate Student Affairs Officers (GSAO), ESPM Head Graduate Advisor, and ESPM Head Graduate Funding Advisor.