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Funding for Graduate Students
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers a range of funding options to support graduate students. With accolades from Forbes, Washington Monthly, and other publications, UTRGV is recognized for its low cost of attendance, which extends to our graduate programs. Explore the various funding opportunities below:
Funding Your Graduate Education at UTRGV
Funding Options
Scholarships
A scholarship is a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Scholarships are typically awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, or other criteria. In most cases, you must be admitted into a graduate program to qualify or apply.
- Graduate Select Scholarship (up to $1,000)
- Graduate Gateway Scholarship (up to $2,000)
- Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation Endowed Scholarship
For more information and to explore additional scholarship opportunities, visit the Graduate Scholarships page.
Grants
Grants are funds provided to students based on financial need and do not need to be repaid. To be considered, students must submit a FAFSA application.
- Graduate Resource Grant (up to $2,000; varies by financial need)
- TEACH Grant (up to $4,000 per year): Available for students intending to teach in low-income schools.
Loans
Loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest. They are available to graduate students who submit a FAFSA application. Various loan types are available to help cover educational expenses.
Federal Work-Study
Work-study provides part-time employment opportunities on campus, allowing students to earn money to help pay for their education. Students must submit a FAFSA application to be eligible.
For more information, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Assistantships
Assistantships provide part-time employment (up to 20 hours per week) to help students gain professional experience while completing their degrees. Explore positions and apply through UTRGV Human Resources.
In addition to exploring what is available through the Human Resources website, students can also reach out to their Graduate Program Coordinator to see if there are any assistantships available in their department. View the UTRGV Graduate Assistantships Job Titles and Eligibility for more information.
Types of Assistantships:
- Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Graduate Research Assistant
- Graduate Assistantship
VA Benefits
Military service members and their dependents may qualify for VA education benefits. Visit the Military and Veterans Success Center website for more information.
For assistance with Hazelwood Act benefits, please contact the Financial Aid Office at hazelwood@utrgv.edu.
Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver
Students who are senior citizens of at least 65 years of age may be eligible for the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver. View the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver form for more information.
Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses
This program is to provide tuition assistance to eligible employed and volunteer firefighters in the state of Texas enrolled in college-level fire science courses. Here at UTRGV the programs that qualify for the Fire Science Exemption are the Master of Public Affairs, Master of Arts in Disaster Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Disaster Management and Sustainability.
To apply for this exemption fill out the Exemption for Firefighters Taking Fire Science Courses form. This program is managed by the Office of Financial Aid. For addition information, please email finaid@utrgv.edu.
UTRGV Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley provides Tuition Assistance to encourage and support full-time benefits-eligible employees to continue their education and improve the skills needed to develop their careers and acquire new knowledge by providing partial or full payment tuition and mandatory fees. Visit the Employee Tuition Assistance Program webpage for eligibility requirements, the application process and important deadlines.