Teaching
Assistantships
Assistantship assignments provide a stipend and a tuition waiver.
In 2004-05, these stipends will range from approximately $2,800 per
semester for quarter-time appointments to approximately $5,700 per
semester for
half-time appointments. Assistantships paying higher stipends are
occasionally available. All stipends for graduate assistants increase
by about three percent each year. Students
who receive quarter-time assistantships are expected to provide
up to ten hours of service to the University per week on varying
assignments. Half-time assistantships require students to provide
about twenty hours of University service per week. These students
are limited to two-thirds of a normal course load.
Typically, teaching assistants help professors
with course material preparation or grading, serve
as discussion group leaders, monitor studios or other instructional
facilities, help make public presentations or stage exhibitions,
or perhaps teach an introductory course in the undergraduate program.
Assistantships are highly competitive and are offered on a one-semester
basis, with strong likelihood that, if your work as a teaching
assistant
is well done, the offer will be repeated.
Fellowships
Exceptionally well qualified students may be nominated by their
department for Graduate School Fellowships, including specified
minority fellowships. Competition for all Graduate School Fellowships
is strong throughout the University.
Research Assistantships
Faculty conducting funded research projects frequently sponsor
assistantships;
these are typically highly specialized and awards are made based
on the student’s credentials and area of interest.
For more detailed information on assistantships
and fellowships see the Fellowships
and Awards section of the Penn
State Graduate School's Web site.
Other Penn State Funding Opportunities
M.L.A. students are eligible for a wide range of specialized funding opportunities
at Penn State, including the following:
Alma Heinz and August Louis Pohland
Graduate Student Fellowship: $2,500 award based on M.L.A.
independent project proposal, academic progress, and promise
of excellence. SALA-wide
competition.
Waddell Biggart Fellowship: $3,000 -
$4,000 for competition of M.L.A. independent project for students
in their
final year of study. University-wide competition.
Institute for Arts and Humanities Summer
Residency: $3,000 stipend plus office for summer
work on M.L.A. independent project. Competition among students
in Arts and Architecture Liberal
Arts.
More Information
There are also funding opportunities available through professional
societies and organizations. For information
on financial aid opportunities available nationally, visit: http://www.laprofession.org/financial/Scholarships.htm. |
