Graduate Students

University of Idaho – Financial Aid for Graduate Students

Investing in a graduate-level education will pay dividends for the rest of your life. When you make an investment at an institution that is recognized throughout the region for its legacy of leading, the value of those dividends is substantial.

At the University of Idaho, the quality of our graduate programs is matched only by the level of individualized guidance you will receive throughout the financial aid process. You will have your own financial aid adviser who will work with federal programs to ensure that you receive the best aid package available.

Steps to Apply

Applying for financial aid is a simple, step-by-step process.

• Apply for admission — complete with transcripts and test scores
• Complete the FAFSA — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
• Accept your financial aid on VandalWeb, our online student-accessible portal system

As a graduate student at the university, you benefit from the considerable resources available from Student Financial Aid Services:

Assistantships:  Teaching and research assistantships (TAs and RAs) are available in most academic areas to provide financial support and valuable experience to master’s and Ph.D. students. Recipients are selected by the academic department, and each assistantship includes an out-of-state tuition waiver for nonresidents. Students should request more details from departments and professors on assistantship availability, value, and application procedures.

Scholarships:  A scholarship is a financial award that you do not have to pay back. Some scholarships are based on financial need, while others are based on your good grades, your demonstrated leadership, or other types of merit.

Loans:  We are a direct lending institution, which means that we lend you money directly from the federal government. Loans are funds that you will have to repay after you leave college. This also means you automatically qualify for the benefits of the recently passed College Cost Reduction Act, which include income-based repayment and total loan forgiveness after 10 years of public service.

Employment:  We can also help you find jobs on and off campus through our job location and development program. This program is open to all students. There are jobs for you in Moscow if you would like to work part-time.

An Investment for Life

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the estimated lifetime income of a person who has earned a Ph.D. is 45% higher each year than a person who has obtained a bachelor’s degree. That’s $1.9 million more over a lifetime!