Graduate assistantships and fellowships

A number of graduate teaching and research assistantships and fellowships are available to current and incoming graduate students. The criteria and award amounts vary across departments and disciplines. For information on specific opportunities, connect with your graduate program of interest.

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.

RAMS Scholarship Hub

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.

VCU National Scholarship Office resources

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.

Military Student Services & aid

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. 

Students can access Pivot, a funding opportunities and collaborators database, through VCU Libraries Research Guides. Pivot combines the most comprehensive, editorially maintained database of funding opportunities worth an estimated $33 billion with a unique database of 3 million pre-populated scholar profiles.

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. 

Distinguished Dissertation and Outstanding Masters Thesis Award: Each year the Graduate School recognizes outstanding doctoral dissertations and master’s theses in four broad academic fields:

• Life Sciences
• Social Sciences, Business, and Education
• Math, Physical Sciences and Engineering
• Humanities and Fine Arts

In addition to the broad categories, each year, the Non-traditional Dissertation/Capstone Project Award and the Non-traditional Thesis/Capstone Project Award are given. 

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.