Assistantships / Fellowships

Assistantships

More than 3,300 assistantships in various fields are held by eligible graduate students. Graduate assistantships provide a waiver of course tuition for up to nine graduate credits in the Fall and Spring semester, and for up to 5 graduate credits in the Summer semester. Graduate assistants must be actively pursuing degree programs and making satisfactory progress toward their degrees to be eligible for an assistantship. Benefits and a stipend may be provided. For more information consult the graduate assistantship brochure here.

Students admitted to regular graduate studies at MSU who plan to seek an assistantship or other financial assistance should consult their department or school. Since most graduate assistantships and fellowships are awarded by departments, beginning in February for the following academic year, it is essential that applications and supporting documents be submitted early to ensure adequate consideration.

For further information please visit the following websites:

The web site for Graduate Assistantships is https://grad.msu.edu/funding

The web site for Financial Aid is https://finaid.msu.edu/

Fellowships 

Michigan State University annually awards a number of fellowships to encourage students with high achievement to purse study leading to a graduate degree. A recipient of an MSU fellowship must be enrolled in a degree program and may be required to give formal service to the university or to the department or school.

The Distinguished Fellowship Program, for example, includes a $20,000 stipend, waiver of tuition and tuition-related fees, and health insurance. To be considered for this program, your completed application must arrive prior to the deadline, and you must be nominated by your department. For other fellowships available visit the Graduate School website.

For further information please visit the following websites:

CANR Dissertation Completion Fellowships

Please read instructions here for more information on how to apply for Dissertation Completion Fellowships with the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Funding Opportunities

These fellowship and graduate student opportunities are funded by endowments from generous individuals. Please see specific links for instructions on applying. Each one has specific eligibility criteria and application content.

  • THE JAMES AND HARRIET BEARD OUTSTANDING TURFGRASS GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD 
  • EVERETT AND JANE EVERSON GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN PLANT BREEDING 
  • ROBERT G. AND MARY LOU GAST GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN SOIL SCIENCE 
  • DALE AND MARY HARPSTEAD ENDOWMENT FOR GRADUATE SUPPORT IN FOOD CROP PRODUCTION AWARD
  • THE CARTER HARRISON ENDOWED FUND GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD
  • THE KIRK AND MARJORIE LAWTON GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT AWARD
  • THE JASON AND DANA LILLY PLANT BREEDING/GENETICS & BIOTECHNOLOGY (PBGB) FUND FOR GRADUATE STUDENT ENHANCEMENT
  • THE ELMER C. ROSSMAN ENDOWED GRADUATE STUDENT SUPPORT AWARD 
  • DUDLEY AND ANGELA SMITH GRADUATE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT FUND 
  • JORDAN B. TATTER SCHOLARSHIP IN HORTICULTURE
  • NORMAN R. AND JESSIE A. THOMPSON ENDOWMENT IN CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES 
  • THE JAMES M. TIEDJE GRADUATE STUDENT/POST-DOCTORATE TRAVEL AWARD IN MICROBIAL ECOLOGY
  • THE TERRY N. & JOANN L. TURK ENDOWED FELLOWSHIP FUND IN CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES

Please contact Lauren Colby for fellowship and assistantship information.