Unless 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, Chapter 2 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 Shelly Baczkowski in the Physics Department Business Office, 2477 Randall Lab.

Regents' Fellowships

The University of Michigan Board of Regents established the Regents' Fellowships to recognize outstanding incoming graduate students. This fellowship is available only to U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens. The fellowship is a two-year award consisting of a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. 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 Science Award Fellowships (RSA)

The Rackham Science Award Fellowship Program is 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 historically 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 an Rackham RSA. RSA Fellows entering doctoral programs receive one full year of fellowship and two additional years of fellowship combined with a 25% GSRA or GSI appointment. 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.

Physics Department Fellowships

The Physics Department has 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 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.
  
Ford Fellowship

The Physics Department grants one 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 Fellowships

The 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 Appointments

Graduate Student Instructorships (GSIs) are made on a term by term basis (4 months). Students generally receive a 0.50 appointment (a 0.50 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 by individual, funded research groups on a term by term basis. Students are sometimes 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. 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.

If you are not a Physics graduate student, but are interested in applying for a GSI assignment, please complete an application form and submit it to the Student Services Office, 2464 Randall Lab.

Useful Links for Funding Opportunities

• Women in Science and Engineering Program (WISE)*
• Association of Women and Science (AWIS)*
• U-M Office of Financial Aid*
• Rackham Fellowships Office*
• National Science Foundation Grad Student and Post-Doctoral Information*