Linda Lacey, Dean of the Graduate School,

1. Linda Lacey, Dean of the Graduate School, New Mexico State University Reviewer for National Science Foundation Ford Foundation Fellowship HUD Urban Scholars Program

2. How do you plan on financing your graduate education?

3. Possible ways to finance grad studies • Fellowships • Teaching assistantship • Research assistantship • Administrative assistantship • Loans • Tuition Waiver and other sources • Part-time work

4. More ways to finance grad school • Internship • Employer and Military • Dorm advisor • Sponsor—church or non-profit organization • Parents • Forgiveness programs • Grants

5. Which form of support will help you graduate faster from a Ph.D. program?

6. The answer Research assistantship Why? You are working on a topic of interest to your professor They are more likely to read your chapters if the research is directly related to their interests

7. Seeking External Fellowships • Best place to look: • fastweb.com • Use a Search Engine • Public library • Corporate web sites • Civil Organization web sites

8. Campus resources on fellowships • Zuhl Library on campus • http://lib.nmsu.edu/resources/govdocs/grants.html • Graduate School web site • http://gradschool.nmsu.edu/fellowships/

9. My advise for external fellowships • Read and Follow the instructions for all applications • Apply before the deadline • Prepare a draft and share it with faculty and students

10. The components of most applications • Personal Statement • Plan of student • Research Experience • Letters of recommendation • Standardized tests

11. An excellence application • Student writes like a scholar- • Clear, concise and easy to read • Plan demonstrates knowledge in field • Presents a realistic plan

12. Strong letters of recommendation • From those that know you • How do you ask for a strong letter?

13. Obtaining a teaching assistantship • Let the department know of your interest • Include a resume and writing samples • Teaching evaluations if taught before • Ask if they want letters of recommendation

14. Obtaining a research assistantship • Study the web site of the faculty • Identify their areas of research • Contact faculty • Send a resume and writing samples • Send a summary of research experience • Ask if they want letters of recommendation

15. Obtaining an administrative assistantship • Ask administrative units like student services, athletics, grad school if they are looking for graduate assistants • Provide resume and summary of experiences • Ask if they want letters of recommendation • Ask department if they know of job openings for grad assistants

16. Difference between hourly pay and graduate assistantship • Grad Assistant is salary • Out of state grad assistants pay in-state tuition • Grad assistants can enroll in health insurance plan where students pay 30 percent of the costs which this last year was $291 for 12 months of coverage • Students on hourly pay do not receive any of these benefits

17. Summary • Start searching for money early, most deadlines are in the fall • Show strong writing skills as part of the process • Be bold and ask faculty, community group about funding opportunities • Think outside the box---remember the 14 sources of support