Funding Opportunities for MSIM Students
Information School Scholarships
MSIM Dean's Scholarship
The Information School offers scholarship opportunities to assist in funding tuition for MSIM students. Selected MSIM students will be eligible to receive a maximum of $3,000 per year. Consideration for iSchool merit scholarships is automatic at the time we review your application. All incoming and continuing students will be considered for the awards between March-May of each year. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need. To determine financial need, and to apply for financial aid, please complete the FAFSA, at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Graduate Staff Assistantships
The Information School offers a limited number of Graduate Staff Assistantship (GSA) positions to iSchool students each year based on merit. Graduate staff assistants typically work 20 hours per week on a nine-month appointment, based on acceptable performance evaluations and satisfactory progress toward degree. GSA enrolled in the MSIM program are eligible to receive a partial tuition waiver*, monthly stipend, and medical and dental benefits.
GSAs at the Information School support faculty with a variety of tasks. This work may include: class preparation, reference work, literature searches, conference planning, website creation and maintenance, and administrative duties. In general, all GSA positions require good written and verbal communication, ability to work independently, problem solving, ability to manage competing priorities, and proficiency with Microsoft Office software. Some positions require more technical expertise, such as web design or specific software knowledge.
Students are encouraged to apply during the Admissions process. Instructions on how to apply will be coming in mid-January on the Student Employment Opportunities page. GSA, Teaching Assistantship (TA), and Research Assistantship (RA) positions are posted throughout the year on the istujob listserv and our Student Employment Opportunities page.
You are also eligible to apply to GSA, TA, and RA positions throughout the University of Washington as long as you meet the position requirements. To find these job postings, check the UW Staffing Website and choose the category "Academic Student Employee."
*Tuition Waiver Process for Fee-Based Students Hired for GSA
When a fee-based student is hired on a graduate service appointment (GSA) that includes a “tuition waiver”, the hiring department needs to prepare a memo addressed to Educational Outreach (UWEO) indicating the amount of tuition that they will cover and the budget number to be charged for the tuition. The memo is typically provided directly to the student by the hiring department. If the appointment for the fee-based student is as a TA in a course funded by a state budget, the memo will be prepared by the UW Budget Office. In this case the department should contact Janis Campbell (janis3@u.washington.edu, 685-9964) in the Budget Office.
The student then supplies this memo to UWEO registration at the time they register (and pay) for their courses. The student must resolve any payment issues directly with UWEO. Contact UWEO Registration at: uweoreg@extn.washington.edu or 206-543-2310 for assistance.
There are currently no University standards set for tuition “waivers” for fee-based graduate service appointments. Each hiring department determines the extent to which they can and should cover the "tuition waiver". The UW Budget Office provides the equivalent of the University’s Tier 1 graduate tuition rate (http://www.washington.edu/admin/pb/home/opb-tuition-quarterly.htm#anchor1), for students who qualify for TA appointments in state funded courses (currently $3,326 per quarter). There are instances where the department may not have funds available to support a fee-based student’s tuition for a GSA appointment. Students should make sure that the hiring managers in the department they are seeking employment in are aware that they are matriculating in a fee-based program and may need to provide the above information to them to help facilitate the tuition compensation process.
Other Scholarships and Resources
One of the largest private sources of funding for graduate women in the world. Supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented. The Foundation also makes several prestigious annual awards to recognize excellence in achievement. This website includes information on the AAUW’s various fellowships and grants as well as an application form.
The AFCEA Educational Foundation will award $3,000 to graduate students working towards a master's degree in electrical or aerospace engineering, mathematics, physics, computer engineering, computer science, computer technology, electronics, communications technology, communications engineering, or information management. Candidate must be a U.S. citizen enrolled at an accredited university in the U.S. Primary consideration is given for demonstrated excellence. At least one scholarship will be available to a woman or minority candidate, provided all eligibility criteria is met. In December 2005, the new application form will be available.
Provides a one-year partial tutiton scholarship of up to one-half a student's tutiton and fees, not to exceed $10,000 per academic year. Student must be a U.S. citizen. U. S. citizens from underrepresented groups (Women, African American, Hispanic American, Native American, and persons with disabilities) are encouraged to apply. Must be pursuing a degree in a physical science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
The Grants and Funding Information Service (GFIS) works to provide resources for outside funding opportunities to graduate students at the masters and doctoral level who have been admitted to or who are attending the University of Washington. GFIS offers workshops and individual consultations to help students explore resources for potential funding. GFIS does not provide search services or money directly to students, but they do provide guidance to help students know which resources (print, database, or web-based) might give them the best opportunities and help students gain a better understanding of how to use these resources.
The UW Graduate School's webpage on funding resources, including a fellowship calendar, archive of fellowship newsletters, hotlist of foundations and other organizations, or and a list of funding reference books at the UW libraries.