Graduate students who maintain good academic standing, demonstrate consistent progress toward their degree, and perform satisfactorily in appointed positions (such as Teaching Assistantships or Associate Instructor roles) are eligible to receive financial support from the Department or University. This support typically includes a salary or stipend, along with full or partial tuition and fee remission.
Currently, financial support is guaranteed only to Ph.D. students, with most incoming Ph.D. candidates receiving a five-year funding package. These packages commonly include a combination of fellowships, Teaching Assistantships (TAships), and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions. Master's students may apply for TAships on a space-available basis.
To maintain eligibility, students must:
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Enroll in at least 12 units each academic quarter (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
For nonresident students, several fellowships are available to help offset nonresident supplemental tuition costs.
Funding & Financial Support
| Position |
Support* |
How To Apply |
Application Deadline |
Awards Made |
| Teaching Assistant (TA) |
~$1,964 - $4,168/mo |
New and continuing Math and Applied Math students are automatically considered. |
Prior to the start of the quarter |
Quarterly |
| Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) |
~$1497 - $3477/mo |
Through a faculty with sponsored research |
Quarter before |
Quarterly |
| Graduate Reader |
$21.28/hr |
Continuing Math and Applied Math students are invited to apply following a departmental call. |
Prior to Summer Session I and II |
1st day of instruction |
| Graduate Fellowships |
Varies |
For new students, look for the Fellowship Application within the Admissions application process. For continuing students, see the Applications link below. |
Jan 15 |
New Students: first-round offers are made in mid-March; second-round offers by June. Continuing Students: typically by June. |
| Associate In |
$2404.28/mo |
Call for applications sent internally by the Department |
Varies |
Varies |
*For the latest updates, please refer to the Salary Scales and Information page. Tuition and fees remission is provided as an employment benefit for TA or GSR appointments of 25% or more.
Important Notes
- Internal Fellowship Application for New and Continuing Students: Students are encouraged to explore available campus fellowships each year and apply through the Graduate Studies website. The annual deadline for new and continuing students is January 15. Continuing Students: consult with your advisor to determine whether applying is appropriate for your acaemic and funding goals.
- Teaching Assistant Opportunities in Mathematics: For graduate students outside of the Department of Mathematics, available opportunities will be posted on Handshake once positions have been filled internally. To be eligible, applicants must: be a registered full-time student; have a minimum GPA of 3.0; have completed TA Orientation; and, meet English language proficiency requirements (for international students).
- Readership Opportunities in Mathematics: Typically available only to undergraduate students majoring in Mathematics during the academic year, while graduate students are given hiring preference for Summer Sessions.
Financial Need: File a FAFSA (US citizens, permanent residents or immigrants)
Some awards and fellowships are based on both financial need and academic eligibility. To be considered for any award that includes a need-based component—whether offered by the department or the university—graduate students who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible immigrants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a renewal application.
Although the FAFSA can be submitted at any time, it is strongly recommended that you file by the priority deadline of March 1 each year you are enrolled. This form, submitted directly to the Federal Student Aid Program Office in Iowa City, Iowa, is used solely to determine financial need.
Teaching Assistant (TA), Associate Instructor (AI), and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)
NOTE: If you are an applicant to one of our graduate programs, it is NOT necessary to submit a separate TA application as the information provided in your graduate admissions application is entirely sufficient. All of our admissions applicants are automatically considered for all sources of departmental funding, including TAships.
TAships, AIships, and GSRships offer excellent opportunities to gain invaluable experience in areas of intrinsic importance to your graduate education and to receive financial support at the same time. As the above table shows, these positions provide salary plus partial or full fee remission. A minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA is required to hold an academic appointment and the student must be registered for no less than twelve units.
If a student is on PELP (Planned Educational Leave Plan) or on Filing Fee status (doing dissertation work only), only one quarter of employment is allowed.
When speaking of student employment, we refer to an appointment as either 25% (of full-time) or 50% (of full-time), which is the maximum allowed without filing a Petition to Exception to Policy. A 25% appointment is approximately 10 hours per week. A 50% appointment is approximately 20 hours per week. GSRships (whether at 25% or 50% time) provide full remission of in-state fees. TAships and AIships (whether at 25% or 50% time) provide almost full remission of most of the in-state fees. This university policy is reviewed for renewal each year.
For GSRships, contact the faculty directly about availability of such a position and for information on what the duties will include.
For TAships, contact the Department's Student Business Coordinator. Duties for a TA may include problem-solving sessions and office hours for students' questions, and grading exams.
For AIships, a call for applications is sent internally by the department. AIs have primary responsibility for the class.
Readership positions
For a position as a reader, contact the Department's Student Business Coordinator.
Readers grade homework in undergraduate classes and may hold an appointment as a Reader for a maximum of 19 hours a week. Assignments are awarded according to experience.
Non-Resident Tuition Fee Fellowships (Residents not from California)
If you are not a California resident, you may apply for Nonresident Tuition Fee Fellowship (NRTF). Consult the Graduate Application for details. Domestic students who have been in California for three academic quarters and have elected not to be classified residents of the state are not eligible. Residency questions may be addressed to the Residence Deputy of the Office of the Registrar, or feel free to call them directly at (530) 752-4749.
Students must be enrolled full time, taking no fewer than 12 units of work in 100 and 200 series courses in the quarter(s) for which the NRTF are awarded.
