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Financial Aid
The Graduate Information Science and Technology Program awards financial aid on the basis of qualifications and need to full-time graduate students with full admission status (all prerequisites completed). Students must be either accepted for admission or currently enrolled in this graduate-degree program to be eligible for program financial aid. New students are evaluated on the basis of past academic achievement, relevant experience, and need; continuing students are evaluated on the basis of academic performance in SIS programs, performance of assigned duties, and need. Financial need is determined on the basis of information supplied on the online Application for Financial Aid, which must be completed by each student requesting aid. For purposes of this policy, financial aid may include remission of tuition and/or stipends. Stipend rates are established by the University and are available here.
Financial aid is usually granted in one of the following categories:
- Graduate Student Assistant (GSA)/ Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)
GSAs and GSRs receive remission of half or full tuition plus a stipend for a 10 or 20 hour work assignment in the School. GSAs may be assigned to work with one or more faculty members or to work in the SIS Labs. GSRs are usually assigned to work on research grants.
- Teaching Fellow (TF)
TFs receive full tuition remission plus a stipend for teaching one undergraduate course under the direct supervision of a faculty member.
- Fellowships
Tuition and stipend are awarded on a competitive basis. These are typically awarded to doctoral students only.
- Scholarship for Service (US citizens only)
SFS scholars receive full tuition and books, health-insurance benefits, a stipend, conference travel support, and a paid summer internship. SFS scholars are restricted to studying the Information Assurance (security) track and must work for a federal agency for at least two years upon graduation. -
Commonwealth Funds
Each year, the School receives "Commonwealth Funds," which are earmarked to support diversity students in the graduate programs. This program offers both tuition and stipend support. The Commonwealth Funds are distributed through each degree program. If interested, please still apply to any of the other financial assistance opportunities relevant to you, but contact Wes Lipschultz at wpl4@pitt.edu to learn more about this recruitment assistantship possibility.
The faculty encourages all eligible students, including minority students and women, to apply for financial aid. All international students are expected to come fully funded for their entire degree program. Financial-aid applications from MSIS international applicants, living outside the United States, will not be considered prior to the first term of study.
All international students are expected to come fully funded for their entire degree program and any advanced study they may undertake in a certificate program or in a second degree program. International students may be granted financial aid in exceptional circumstances such as the awarding of a Graduate Student Researcher for a funded project.
Deadlines
Fall Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
|
| Admission Application (Domestic) | July 15 | November 1 | March 15 |
| Admission Application (International) | January 15 | June 15 | December 15 |
| Financial Aid Application | January 15 | September 15 | January 15 |