Graduate Funding

Graduate teaching assistantships and other financial support will be available to the most-qualified incoming MATESL students.

Eligibility

To be considered for funding, applicants are encouraged to submit GRE scores and must submit a six- to ten-page writing sample on an academic topic with their applications, and should inform the EAL Program Director via email. Applicants for fellowships must also complete additional applications as specified below.

Funding is highly competitive, and test scores, statements, and writing samples are used to make initial awards. Please note that graduate teaching assistants are required to enroll for at least 6 units a semester, and scholarship/fellowship recipients must enroll full-time, or 9 units (3 classes) a semester unless it is their final semester.

Funding Opportunities

Assistantships

Graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) within the Department of English entail teaching composition courses in the Writing Program. Those interested in these assistantships should notify the EAL Program Director by email after applying online.

The selection process for assistantships is highly competitive – awardees have high test scores, excellent letters of recommendation, and excellent writing abilities as demonstrated by their application documents. While a background in teaching is not required, majors that include a substantial writing component (e.g., most humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts degrees) are most desirable. GTAs who speak English as an additional language will need an iBT TOEFL score over 100, and need to pass an oral interview with the Writing Program. The award includes: 

  • a full out-of-state tuition waiver,
  • a full registration waiver,
  • payment of the graduate surcharge,
  • a stipend of approximately $20,000 per academic year (dependent upon academic background), plus
  • individual health insurance coverage (valued at approximately $2861).

A typical appointment entails teaching two classes per semester and participating in a year-long preceptorship course, for which you may receive 3 units credit as an elective toward your plan of study. An assistantship may be renewed for a total of two years, depending upon departmental funding, teaching evaluations and satisfactory progress within the program.


 Graduate Tuition Scholarships

Pending budget reconciliation, a small number of Graduate Tuition Scholarships may become available. Graduate Tuition Scholarships waive between 25% and 100% of in-state and/or out-of-state tuition for academically qualified students. These awards are based on seniority, academic standing (merit), and department budget. Scholarships cover tuition only, not fees.

Fellowships

Graduate Access Fellowships, up to $4000 a semester, are awarded to incoming domestic graduate students who have shown academic achievement despite facing challenging social, economic or educational obstacles. Interested students should complete the eligibility form and also notify the Program Director after applying to the M.A. program online.

Returning Peace Corps Volunteers accepted by the program with assistantships or full scholarships are eligible for the Peace Corps Coverdell Fellowship, which provides additional funding in exchange for community service. Interested applicants should apply for that program separately, and also inform the Program Director after applying to the M.A. program online.

Other Support

Loans and scholarships are available to U.S. citizens separately through the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Students with proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic or Russian may choose to apply for a teaching assistantship by contacting the appropriate department. Those students with proficiency in less commonly taught languages like Korean, may find teaching opportunities through the Critical Languages Program, although CLP awards do not typically include GTA funding. Students interested in these opportunities should contact the appropriate department as well as the ELA Director to indicate interest.