By Sarah Hildebrand

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

Students frequently come to the Office of Career Planning & Professional Development with questions about how to secure funding for their graduate-level programs and ways to supplement their incomes. Below is information about the types of funding available both at and beyond the GC, as well as how to find out about these opportunities. It’s important to note that funding is competitive, so it’s worth pursuing multiple opportunities.

Funding within the GC

Fellowships, graduate assistantships, and funding awards of various sizes are available at the GC through the university at-large, campus centers and offices, and individual degree programs. The Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid has this helpful guide to finding funding as a current doctoral student, which includes named awards, research funding, dissertation funding, as well as funding from other GC sources. They also provide information on funding for Master’s students.

The GC offers Dissertation Fellowships annually through the Provost’s Office. Your program’s department likely also offers dissertation and research awards each year. Campus centers and offices annually hire both teaching and non-teaching Graduate Assistants to help work on campus initiatives. Working at any CUNY campus in a PSC-represented title, such as Teaching or Non-Teaching Adjunct, also qualifies you for an additional four semesters of tuition remission that can be applied after your first ten semesters.

Note: You can only hold one five-year fellowship or dissertation fellowship at a time; however, you may receive smaller awards through the university or your program that supplement that funding. Additionally, you can receive funding via external fellowships or grants totaling less than $10,000 that supplement your GC funding, as well.

Be mindful that workload limitations are associated with all Graduate Assistantships.

There are also several policies regarding how long you are eligible for certain funding opportunities.

Where to Find Out About Opportunities

Unfortunately, there is no centralized location to search open roles or awards. The best way to find out about funding opportunities is often via emails from your department’s APO and/or EO. Make sure you’re signed up for their listserv and check your email regularly.

Some opportunities are posted online, both on Handshake (the GC’s in-house job board) and on the individual websites of offices and centers on campus. If you know about offices that frequently offer funding, be sure to check their websites periodically, or even reach out to the offices individually. Offices that fund students regularly include GCDI, TLC, Futures Initiative, QRCC, the Writing Center, the Office of Career Planning & Professional Development, the Humanities Alliance, Center for Humanities, and more.

Additionally, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled while on campus. Many offices with hiring needs post flyers in department lounges or advertise on the digital and physical boards near the elevator banks. 

Word-of-mouth is also a great way to find out about opportunities. Students who currently hold fellowships and assistantships are often in-the-know about where and when to find these opportunities, as well as how to write successful applications.

When to Look

Applications for the GC’s Dissertation Fellowship Competition are due in mid-January, while Doctoral Student Research Grant applications are due January 31 of each year. Be on the lookout for these opportunities towards the end of Fall semester.

Graduate Assistantships at various campus offices and centers for the following Fall are frequently posted mid-to-late Spring semester. Opportunities for Spring are posted mid-to-late Fall, but bear in mind that fewer assistantships begin in the Spring semester as many of them tend to be year-long roles.

Other opportunities both within and beyond the GC will pop-up throughout the year, including during the Summer, so be on the lookout always.

Additional Opportunities

Funding Outside of the GC

You might also want to apply to external funding opportunities. The Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid has put together this list of external funding sources, while the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs has this helpful guide to where to find these opportunities, including the Mina Ree’s Library’s comprehensive guide.

PT and FT roles at CUNY

In addition to internal and external funding opportunities, you might also consider finding a part-time or full-time role within the CUNY system. CUNY’s job board posts opportunities that you can sort by campus, job category, or title. It might also be helpful to check the job boards of individual campuses of interest, as some roles may only be posted there. Many GC students work as both teaching and non-teaching adjuncts to help supplement their incomes, as well as to receive tuition remission as noted above. 

Funding via Your Professional Association

Organizations like the Modern Language Association, American Historical Association, or others related to your field of study also frequently post calls for fellowships, grants, and awards. Check also to see if your particular association maintains an active job board.

Federal Work Study

Some students may be eligible for the government program Federal Work Study. These part-time positions are granted based on financial need and eligibility depends on how you fill out your FAFSA form. You can learn more about applying for federal work study through the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid.

Making Your Applications Standout

In order to increase your chances of receiving funding, you’ll want to make sure your application materials have been reviewed and revised. For assistance with applying to external funding sources, contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. For help with internal funding sources, such as fellowships or graduate assistantships, you may want to visit the Writing Center and/or the Office of Career Planning & Professional Development. Both of these centers can ensure that your materials meet application requirements and present your skills and experiences in the best light possible.