FINANCIAL AID, STIPENDS, AND FEES

Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available from the Depart-ment on a competitive basis. Most involve a one-half-time (20 hr/wk) commitment to the Department. Teaching assistantships are awarded for the academic year. Support during the summer months may be available from the research program of the major professor. Students who receive graduate teaching assistantships normally are required to assist with one course/semester during the academic year. All assistantship students will assist with the research program of their major professor and with other departmental activities. The background, level of experience and educational goals of the student are considered in assigning specific responsibilities in order to maximize the student's opportunities for professional development. All students must assist with the department teaching program for a minimum of one semester per degree.

Base monthly assistantship stipends (effective August 10, 2009) range from $1,561 for first-year M.S. students to $1,702 for Ph.D. students who have completed the preliminary examination. Costs (per semester) for graduate students to attend Virginia Tech for 2009-10 include in-state tuition of $4131 and an academic fee of $280.50, comprehensive fees (including technology fee, health center, student center, athletic and bus fees) of $702.50, and out-of-state tuition of $3,655. Out-of-state students must also pay a $195 capital and equipment fee. Waivers of tuition, but not of the $702.50 comprehensive, technology, and capital & equipment fees, are provided students holding graduate assistantships and fellowships.

Students who wish to be considered for academic-year assistantships beginning in the Fall Semester (August) must have their completed applications (including transcripts, letters of reference, GRE scores, and, if necessary, TOEFL scores) received by March 1 of that year. Students who wish to be considered for assistantship funding beginning with the Spring Semester (January) must have completed applications received by August 1 of the previous year.