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Funding
The Department of Physics at the University of Michigan offers funding for both undergraduate and graduate work.
Please select the option you are interested in below:
Undergraduate FundingFinancing an undergraduate education is always a challenging endeavor. Financial aid decisions are made not at the departmental level, but at the University level. Thus, your primary resource when looking for funding should be the University of Michigan Office of Financial Aid. Part-time Research Positions for UndergraduatesOne funding opportunity that is available within the Physics Department is the part-time research position. Typically 10-15 part-time jobs associated with research projects in the department are available to undergraduate students at any one time. Given that the department strongly recommends that physics concentrators get research experience on their way to a degree, part-time research positions are attractive funding alternatives. In addition to being a valuable part of professional development, this kind of experience can also provide personal contacts that will be useful when you apply to graduate school or look for permanent employment after graduation. These jobs are also good opportunities to obtain letters of recommendation. To look for a paid research position, use the same procedure you would follow when looking for a Physics 415 project or a thesis project. See also the page on undergraduate research opportunities in physics. Undergraduate Research AwardsEach summer, the Physics Department awards at least four summer research grants. The purpose of these awards is to allow undergraduate physics majors to spend the summer laying a strong foundation for senior thesis research. The awards provide a $3,000 salary grant to fund three months of research over the summer. Students wishing to apply for one of these awards must have made arrangements for a senior thesis research project with a faculty member. The application form consists of a brief description of the research to be conducted and a statement of support from the sponsoring faculty member. The application form is signed by both the student and the sponsoring faculty member. The forms are available from the undergraduate secretary in 2464 Randall Lab at the beginning of January. The deadline for application is normally the end of January. Additional Resources for Funding Opportunities
Graduate FundingUnless otherwise specified, all applicants to the graduate program are considered for funding through the department via research assistantships, teaching assistantships, fellowships and scholarships. Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) and Graduate Student Research Assistants (GSRAs or RAs) must register for at least six credit hours. Certain fellowships may require registering for more than six credit hours. More information on departmental funding can be found on this website. Students should also refer to Article VIII of the GEO Agreement, Sections 3.8 and 3.9 of the Rackham Handbook, and relevant visa regulations. Eligible students are strongly encouraged to apply for NSF and other general fellowships. For those students interested in applying for Federal Financial Assistance, the deadline is January 15. Inquiries regarding Federal Loans and Financial Aid should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid, 2011 Student Activities Building. Generally, offers of admission and financial support come together. Financial assistance for graduate students takes a variety of forms and derives from a variety of sources, including the Department of Physics, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the Graduate School and the University, as well as external foundations and agencies. In general, the Physics Department attempts to assist all students at the same level of support, equivalent to the 0.50 research assistant (RA) and instructorship (GSI) salary. Details such as stipend levels and academic criteria for continuation of financial assistance are subject to modification each year and are set forth in offer letters. If you wish to put together a research proposal for outside grants or funding, please contact Krista Farmer in the Physics Department main office, 2477 Randall Lab. Financial Assistance and AwardsRegents' FellowshipsThe University of Michigan Board of Regents established the Regents' Fellowships to be given annually to outstanding incoming graduate students. This fellowship is available only to U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens. The fellowship is a three-year award consisting of a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. In the second and third years of the fellowship, a portion of the Fellow's support is provided by either a 0.25 RA or 0.25 GSI appointment (see explanation of such appointments below). The availability of the GSI appointment is guaranteed by the Department. These are the most prestigious University of Michigan fellowships available to entering physics students and are awarded in recognition of outstanding undergraduate accomplishment and future promise.Rackham Merit FellowshipsThe Rackham Merit Fellowship Program has been established for entering graduate students at The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor who are members of racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in graduate education in the United States. A student who is an African-American, Native American, Hispanic/Latino/Latina, Asian-American in fields where they have been histocially underrepresented, and men and women of any racial background in fields where their gender group is significantly underrepresented; who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.; and who has been admitted to a graduate program at the University may be nominated by his or her academic department for a Rackham Merit Fellowship. Awards are made on a competitive basis on the recommendation of review panels selected from the entire graduate faculty of the University. Rackham Merit Fellows entering doctoral programs receive three full years of fellowship and may receive up to two additional terms of fellowship. A full year of fellowship consists of two terms of tuition, health insurance, and a 12-month stipend equivalent to a 0.50 RA or GSI appointment. Rackham Merit Fellows entering Master's programs may receive up to 4 terms of support consisting of tuition, health insurance, and stipend.Physics Department FellowshipsThe Physics Department has Physics Department Fellowships available through the generous gifts and endowments of friends and donors. These fellowships provide supplemental funds for first year students in addition to one half the normal teaching assistant appointment in order to provide students more time to identify with and secure research with physics faculty and researchers. All admitted students not eligible for a Regents or Merit Fellowship are automatically considered for a Physics Department Fellowship.The Physics Department grants a Ford Fellowship each year. This award is sponsored by the Ford Motor Company. It provides two full years of support, full tuition and fees, stipend, health insurance and money for textbooks. Outside FellowshipsThe Physics Department and the Rackham Graduate School will enhance support for many outside fellowships such as NSF Graduate Fellowships and Minority Graduate Fellowships. The NSF annual stipend is supplemented usually without additional duties, and year-round comprehensive health insurance is provided. The program is subject to the same stipulations regarding academic progress as are the Regents' Fellowship.GSI and GSRA AppointmentsGraduate Student Instructorships (GSIs) typically cover 8 months. Students generally receive a 0.50 appointment (a 0.50 full-time equivalent appointment, sometimes called a "half GSI," is equivalent to "full" support for a graduate student). Duties usually consist of teaching elementary laboratory sections.Graduate Student Research Assistantships (GSRAs) are provided autonomously by individual, funded research groups on a term by term basis. Students are often required to complete a trial period working with a group--usually not longer than one term--before funding is granted, usually as a 0.50 appointment. General Information about GSIs and GSRAs: Appointments of 0.25 or greater for at least 4 months include full tuition and the opportunity to participate in health and life insurance programs. Dental insurance is generally available at the beginning of the second year of employment. Four-month GSI appointments at less than 0.25 include partial tuition at varying rates. GSIs are represented by a union, the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO). Membership in the union, or a payment of a service fee not to exceed union dues, is a condition of employment. Combination GSI/GSRA appointments are available and are determined on a case-by-case basis. Continuation of support is usually guaranteed for all students who are progressing satisfactorily. It is expected that students in the third year and beyond will be supported primarily by GSRA appointments. Useful Links for Funding Opportunities |
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Randall Laboratory
450 Church Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040 Phone: (734) 764-4437 -- Fax: (734) 763-9694 Questions or Comments: physics.web@umich.edu Copyright © 2001 Regents of the University of Michigan |