Finances

Students making good academic progress and fulfilling their teaching obligations can count on support in the form of teaching assistantships (TAs), VIGRE fellowships, and Research Assistantships. MA and MS students will be supported for up to two years. PhD students will be supported for up to five years, or in some cases six years, including any time supported as a Master's student.

Salaries for TAs, RAs, and VIGRE fellowships are currently in the range of $15,743 to $17,120 for the academic year. (Your pay increases as you pass certain milestones like the qualifying exams and the comprehensive exam.) There is also the possibility of support in summer months through summer teaching, RA's, and internships (which can be quite lucrative).

TAs, RAs, and fellowships include a full waiver of tuition (both in-state and out-of-state) as well as individual health insurance through Campus Health Services. Students are responsible for paying the remaining miscellaneous fees.

In recognition of the demands on parents of newborns or newly adopted children, continuing Graduate Assistants anticipating the arrival of a new baby or child may apply for a paid Graduate College Parental Leave for up to six weeks of new parenthood.

When comparing assistantships and fellowships across universities, it is important to take into consideration the cost of living. Housing in Tucson is quite inexpensive compared to other popular locations. See the Living in Tucson pages for more information.