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Financial Aid
The Telecommunications and Networking Program has financial aid available, on a competitive basis, for students entering or continuing in its programs and who meet its academic requirements for admission.
Eligibility for Financial Aid
Students eligible for financial aid are those accepted for admission or currently enrolled in the MST degree program, and have not already received three terms of funding. It is University policy that only full‐time students are eligible for Graduate Student Assistant and Graduate Student Researcher positions. Full‐time enrollment is registration for a minimum of nine credits but no more than 15 credits in the Fall and Spring Terms and a minimum of three credits in the Summer Term.
Priority is given to U.S. citizens in evaluating financial aid applications. 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.
The University of Pittsburgh is committed to providing educational opportunities for qualified minority students through recruitment and financial assistance. In accordance with this policy, minority students are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid. In some cases aid is specifically designated for the recruitment of minority students.
To be considered for any of the types of aid listed below, submission of an Application for Financial Aid is required. This Financial Aid Application is available here. Applications for financial aid will be considered by the Financial Aid Committee AFTER the student has been accepted/admitted into the Telecommunications and Networking program.
When financial aid is awarded, it is within one of the following categories:
- Graduate Student Assistant (GSA) HALF AND FULL
GSAs receive remission of either half or full tuition, health insurance benefits, and a stipend for either a 10 or 20 hour per week work assignment in the Telecommunications and Networking Program, the Information Sciences Program, or the SIS labs. - Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) HALF AND FULL
GSRs receive remission of either half or full tuition, health insurance benefits, and a stipend for working either 10 or 20 hours per week with a faculty member on a funded research project. - Teaching Fellowship (TF) Teaching Fellows receive remission of full tuition, health insurance benefits, and a stipend for teaching a course.
- 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 in Telecommunications 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. - K. Leon Montgomery Assistantship in Telecommunications
To provide annual assistantship to full-time student enrolled in the Masters of Telecommunications Program. Preference given to students who achieve academic excellence through coursework, research, international focus, and leadership.
Deadlines
| Fall Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |
| Financial Aid Application Deadline (Domestic) | January 15 | September 15 | January 15 |
| Financial Aid Application Deadline (International) | January 15 | June 15 | December 15 |