Funding from U-M
There are many sources of information on financial assistance available to University of Michigan students. Be sure to contact foundations, religious organizations, fraternities or sororities, and town or city clubs. Include community organizations and civic groups such as YMCA, 4-H Club, Kiwanis, Rotary, American Legion, and the Scouts. Be sure not to overlook any organizations connected with your field of interest as a potential source of funding. Listed below are just some of the places students should look for aid on the University of Michigan campus.
Your Department
Students are encouraged to contact the fellowship chairperson or administrative assistant in their respective department as many have obtained funds to assist students. These funds may be in the form of grants, fellowships, research and teaching assistantships.
Rackham Graduate School
The Rackham Fellowships Office administers many fellowships for Rackham graduate students. Please look at the guidelines and deadlines. Rackham fellowships are either student initiated, or students are nominated by their Rackham program for award consideration. Some fellowships are competitive while others are allocated to several Rackham programs.
Rackham maintains a listing of some of the postdoctoral positions available at the University of Michigan. Such positions are determined by individual faculty, departments and colleges. Check with the program or laboratory where you are interested in working.
Financial Aid
All graduate students, with the exception of those in the Law School and Medical School, may apply for Work-Study and/or loan assistance through the Office of Financial Aid. Loan programs available include the Federal Perkins Loan and Federal Stafford Loan programs. This office also offers short-term, emergency loans. Additionally, they have the Graduate PLUS program which is a non-need-based federal loan that allows graduate students to borrow up to the full cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid they are receiving. Students should apply as early as possible.
For further information, particularly on deadlines, contact the Office of Financial Aid at financial.aid@umich.edu or (734) 763-6600.
Other Funding on Campus
Center for the Education of Women
The Center for the Education of Women provides counseling and information on academic programs, child care, community resources and job searches. They also maintain a loan and reference library. The annual CEW scholarship competition provides approximately 40 awards. The Robin Wright Graduate Fellowship Fund offers grants of up to $4000 for Rackham students from the Islamic World or Africa pursuing research in contemporary global issues. Small emergency grants are also available.
For more information contact the Center for the Education of Women at contactcew@umich.edu or (734) 764-6005.
The Center for Global Health and Rackham Graduate School
Student Associates of the Center for Global Health are eligible to apply for funds to support their dissertation research on a global health topic relevant to the Center’s mission, vision, and areas of focus. A generous commitment from the Rackham School of Graduate Studies provides this rare opportunity to motivated and forward-thinking students with innovative research projects that are multidisciplinary in nature and that seek to redress global health inequity. The heart of the dissertation research should focus on work in low/middle income resource countries. Review criteria will include the potential for: building capacity, impacting health outcomes with a particular focus on the elimination of health disparities, strengthening the science, translating research into policy, and ensuring long-term sustainability of the project.
Division of Research Development and Administration
The Division of Research Development and Administration (DRDA) website provides links to several funding opportunity databases. Because these databases often include different funding opportunities, for a complete funding search we recommend using all that seem relevant to you.
Employment
Sources for jobs are the federal government, the University of Michigan, and public and private employers, on and off campus. Many jobs in addition to work-study employment are available, and financial aid is not generally a factor in selection.
- U-M Job Postings
- Student Employment Office
- U-M Health System Employment
- Temporary Staffing Services
- The Career Center
- Work Abroad
Honors Program
The Honors Program administers the Marshall scholarship for study at a British University, the Rhodes Scholarships for study at Oxford University, and the Churchill Scholarship for one year of graduate study at Cambridge University. Mellon Fellowships can also be applied for through the Honors Office.
For more information contact the Honors Program at ask.honors@umich.edu or (734) 764-6274.
International Center
The U-M International Center provides a variety of services to assist international students, scholars, faculty and staff at the University of Michigan, as well as U-M American students seeking opportunities to study, work, or travel abroad.
For information about a specific U-M International Center service area, please contact them at icenter@umich.edu or (734) 764-9310.
International Institute
The International Institute promotes the advancement across the University of international and area research and training, and provides resources for the development of study and research. To be eligible, students must be registered with the Institute, and registered for the term for which they request support. Funding opportunities include:
- Graduate fellowships
- Funds for development of conferences and workshops
- Study abroad programs
- Many other programs
For more information please contact the International Institute at iimichigan@umich.edu or (734) 763-9200.
Library
The library’s Research Guide on Grants and Fundraising provides resources, strategies, and information on conducting research on grant-seeking. This includes finding funders, proposal writing, university processes, and related topics. Online and print resources on grant-getting are included.
The reference room on the second floor of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library has a wide selection of resources pertaining to fellowships, scholarships, and grants.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
Summer interns and academic year work-study students are an integral part of the work Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) does. MBGNA also provides facilities, services, and support for research projects in both greenhouse and field settings.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Services for Students with Disabilities provides equipment loans, volunteer readers, note takers and transportation services for students with temporary and permanent disabilities.
For information about specific services, please contact Services for Students with Disabilities at ssdoffice@umich.edu, (734) 763-3000, or by instant message (AIM) SSDFrontDesk.
Student Employment Office
The Student Employment Office administers Federal College Work-Study (federally-funded) and Michigan Work-Study (state-funded) programs to provide part-time jobs for eligible students. To qualify, students must apply for financial aid through the Office of Financial Aid, be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled full-time, and able to demonstrate financial need. Work-Study job listings are available on the Student Employment Office website.
For more information contact the Student Employment Office at student.employment@umich.edu or (734) 763-4128.
Student Veterans Assistance Program
The Student Veterans Assistance Program provides a listing of schoarships, grants and loans for military personnel, veterans and their families.
Veteran’s Benefits at the Office of the Registrar
If you are eligible to receive veteran’s benefits, contact the Office of the Registrar at (734) 763-9066. They will assist in processing certification paperwork in order to receive benefits.