Graduate Assistantships
The University of Connecticut History Department offers fully funded graduate assistantships to all admitted M.A. and Ph.D. students who are not otherwise fully employed. This typically includes a stipend for nine months during the academic year, a full tuition waiver, and medical benefits. Funded students, both M.A. and Ph.D., work an average of 20 hours of work per week as a teaching assistant or research assistant. All awards are made on the basis of academic merit during the initial application and acceptance process. M.A. students are funded for 2 years and Ph.D. students for 5 years. Additionally, the History Department and the University of Connecticut offer numerous fellowship and scholarship opportunities awarded on the basis of academic merit throughout students’ graduate careers.
All students receiving graduate assistantships are subject to the provisions and protections in the GEU-UAW Local 6950 contract. More information about the Graduate Student Union, such as the current contract, its leadership, and frequently asked questions can be found on their official website.
Teaching Assistantship (M.A. years 1-2, and Ph.D. years 1-5):
These students normally receive a 1.0 teaching assistantship (or .50 teaching assistantship if combined with other University funding). Students must remain in good academic standing and meet all of the deadlines for progress through the program to maintain funding.
Instructors of Record (Advanced Ph.D. Students only):
Students must have passed the Ph.D. General Examinations (including having an approved prospectus completed) and must have taken History 5103, Teaching History, to be assigned their own courses to teach. Four courses (two each semester) are equivalent to a 1.0 teaching assistantship per year. Students progressing toward the degree in a timely manner receive priority for the funding that is available. Teaching assignments in the 6th year or later are available when the budget permits.
Other Financial Opportunities
External Funding Opportunities
Need-Based Graduate Student Financial Aid
Questions About Financial Aid?
Visit UConn’s Office of Student Financial Aid Services website for more information about eligibility, loans, scholarships, and more.
Additional Funding Resources
The Graduate School
Eligible graduate students may apply for awards and work-study funds. They can also take advantage of loan programs and emergency funding.
Doctoral Student Conference Participation Award (for conference travel post-matriculation)
Summer Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships (semi-annual award, awarded in the fall and spring semesters for post-matriculated students)
Centers and Institutes
El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies Research Funding
Human Rights Institute: Funding for Graduate Students | Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute (Dissertation Writing Fellowship, Dissertation Research Fellowship, and Research Grants)
Humanities Institute: Residential Fellowships
Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships (ONSF)
Get assistance with external funding sources and the various application processes. For more information, please contact ONSF’s Assistant Director, LuAnn Saunders-Kanabay (luann.saunders-kanabay@uconn.edu ). Mrs. Saunders-Kanabay specializes in the U.S. Student Fulbright Grant Program, the NSEP Boren Scholarship, and the Critical Languages Scholarship.
Discover possible scholarship and fellowship opportunities through the ONSF’s Resources for Graduate Students.