Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [OFFICIAL CATALOG]

Financing Graduate Education


 

Applicants must be fully admitted with regular admission status at UALR as degree-seeking students to be eligible for any form of financial aid. Graduate students are not eligible for the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or Arkansas Student Assistance Grant.

Office of Financial Aid

The UALR Office of Financial Aid provides applications, information, and assistance on federal and other aid programs. Most financial aid is not automatically renewed; students must reapply each academic year. For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (501) 569-3035 or online.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available through graduate programs or departments. To qualify, students must be regularly admitted to a degree-granting graduate program and be recommended by the program coordinator. They must also have a minimum course load of nine graduate hours for a full-time assistantship or six graduate hours for a part-time assistantship.

Audited courses and undergraduate courses will not count toward the course hour requirement and are not covered by the tuition credit. Students who drop below the hour requirement by withdrawing from one or more courses are no longer eligible for graduate assistantships. To keep their assistantships, graduate assistants must remain in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.

Assistantships usually include a full or partial tuition scholarship and a stipend of at least $6,450 (20 hours per week for two semesters) or $3,225 (ten hours per week for two semesters). Some programs offer a larger stipend. Assistantships generally are not available for the summer terms. Assistantships do not cover UALR fees.

Duty assignments vary, but most involve either teaching or research responsibilities at UALR and cooperating agencies. Whenever possible, assignments contribute to the student’s field of study. For more information, see ualr.edu/gradschool or contact the appropriate program coordinator.

Federal Aid Programs

To apply for federal aid, students must complete a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The priority deadline for financial aid applications for the fall semester is March 1, and November 1 for the spring semester. Once the application has been processed and need analysis information determined, the applicant will receive an award notification that includes the types and amounts of aid awarded, specific program information, student responsibilities, and conditions governing the award.

Note: federal aid eligibility will be reduced if the student receives assistance from any other sources, including graduate assistantships, scholarships, grants, employee discounts, etc.

Other Types of Aid

Tuition Deferment Plan

This payment plan is available through the UALR cashier’s office; students must pay a $25 nonrefundable processing fee. The deferment plan is available for Fall and Spring semesters only.

Payroll Deduction

University employees may pay tuition and fees for themselves, their spouse, or their dependents via payroll deduction. Contact the cashier’s office as early as possible before the semester starts.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for both full- and part-time students through the UALR Office of Development and various UALR schools and colleges. To apply, complete a UALR Scholarship Application and the scholarship applications required by the various schools and colleges. Deadlines for scholarships may vary. Find out more online.

Veterans Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is authorized by law to provide a wide range of benefits to those who have served their country in the armed forces and to their dependents. Veterans seeking application materials or information on eligibility for VA educational benefits should contact the veterans certifying official in the UALR Office of Veterans Affairs, (501) 569-8171, vavets@ualr.edu, and online.