Graduate School

Assistantships require a student to work a maximum of 20 hours per week and you must be enrolled full-time (minimum 9 hours fall, spring; minimum 3 hours summer).

There are three types, defined by the student’s job responsibilities:

• Graduate Assistant (GA): provide academic and program support to the university's academic, administrative, or service units. Responsibilities may be administrative in nature and consist of duties not related to teaching or research (such as academic advising, program planning, advising student groups, and assisting with the administrative duties of an office). There may be a very wide range of services provided by graduate assistants, but primarily the services are not directly related to teaching or research.
• Graduate Research Assistant (RA): duties vary according to the nature of the research project in which the research assistant participates and the funding source. These duties are performed under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. Research Assistants are often engaged in laboratories (but may support non-lab research as well) to assist faculty in research projects while gaining research skills and experience. Research Assistants are usually funded from external sources (e.g., NSF, External Contracts) but may also be funded by school/department/unit.
• Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA):  assignments and responsibilities are to conduct or support instruction. Teaching Assistants normally provide services directly related to the instructional mission of the institution. TAs may be involved in activities such as leading discussions, labs, sections, grading papers, teaching individual sections, etc. The critical aspect of support for teaching assistants is that the students’ services to the institution are related to teaching.

When applying for federal or state financial aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or an eligible non-citizen.

• Federal direct unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need, and the federal government does not pay the interest for these loans. Students may choose to defer interest payments until repayment begins; however, the student is responsible for all interest that accrues. The accrued interest automatically capitalizes to the loan principal.
• Federal Direct PLUS loans are low-interest loans that graduate and professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to pay education costs not covered by other aid. These loans are not based on financial need, and the federal government does not pay the interest.
• Alternative/ Private loans are designed to help students and their families cover costs not included in their federal financial aid package. VCU will not recommend nor endorse any private student loan lender to students. Students are encouraged to compare respective lender borrowing terms and conditions.

The RAMS Scholarship Hub is a centralized, searchable database where students can browse available scholarship opportunities offered through various VCU colleges, schools and departments. The Hub features a streamlined application process; current students can apply for several scholarships using a single application, supplemented by answering additional award-specific questions.

The VCU National Scholarship Office supports students in discovering and applying for competitive national and international scholarships and fellowships. These opportunities can support graduate students by funding their studies, research, fieldwork and more. The NSO offers information sessions, workshops, individual advising and for-credit courses, which are free to current students and VCU alumni.

VCU's Military Student Services works with veterans, active service members, spouses and dependents to support their transition from military life to academics. MSS provides advocacy, counseling, connections to resources, and information on the GI Bill, educational assistance and scholarship opportunities.

COVES Fellowship: The Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Fellowship is a 12-week fellowship program of the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (VASEM). Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will serve as science advisors in a variety of possible placements, including legislative offices, executive agencies, or prominent companies and nonprofits in the state of Virginia. 

Graduate School Dissertation Assistantship: The Graduate School Dissertation Assistantship program is for Ph.D. scholars who have completed all program requirements, including didactic courses, except for the dissertation and who will defend the dissertation and graduate by the end of the semester for the award period.

Graduate School Master's Scholarship: The Graduate School Master's Scholarship is to assist with recruiting new graduate students into the university. Contact your school/college for more information. 

SREB Doctoral Scholars Program, University Award: The VCU Graduate School has partnered with the SREB Doctoral Scholars Program to provide support services to eligible students seeking their Ph.D. and planning to become college or university professors. Preference will be given to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.