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Graduate Studies
Graduate Office | MA-Generalist | MA-Literature | MA-TESOL | MA-Teaching English | PHD-Composition & TESOL | PHD-Literature & Criticism
The student employment program provides an opportunity for graduate students to earn money to help finance educational expenses. There are two types of student employment programs at IUP: Federal College Work-Study Program (CWSP); and University Employment Program (UE). Both programs not only help defray the cost of education, but can add valuable practical experience accompanying the student's graduate education. Students may be employed for up to 20 hours per week when classes are in session and 40 hours per week during vacation periods. All students, including international students, are eligible for the UE program. There is no application required. Financial need is not a criterion. Eligibility for CWS is based on financial need as determined by the Pennsylvania State Grant and Federal Student Aid Application. This form is available in the Financial Aid Office. For more information, please visit, www.iup.edu/financialaid
Graduate Assistantships Each year the Literature and Criticism Program is allocated a limited number of graduate assistantships. Assistantship awards are made on a year-to-year basis and are based on academic achievement rather than financial need. A half-time assistantship (20 hours per week of duties) provides a full tuition waiver for a full year, including the following summer, as well as a stipend during the academic year. Quarter-time assistantships (10 hours per week of duties) provide a half-tuition waiver and half stipend. The stipend amount varies from year to year. More information about the current value of the stipend is available from the Graduate School. Graduate assistants are assigned to as many as twenty hours per week of academic duties under the supervision of Literature and Criticism faculty in the graduate program. Duties of the graduate assistant may include assisting on a research project, library research work, course assistance, or tutorial aid in the Writing Center or the American Language Institute in conjunction with a faculty member of the program. Graduate assistants must be enrolled for a minimum of nine graduate credit hours each semester for the academic year of their appointment. Assistantships are not available during the summer. Assistantships may be renewable for a second year. Students should contact the Graduate School to apply for graduate assistantships. The Graduate School issues assistantship contracts and the program director makes assignments of graduate assistants to faculty members. For more information, please visit, www.iup.edu/financialaid
Student Loan Program Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) applications may be obtained through private lending institutions such as banks and credit unions. A Pennsylvania State Grant/Federal Student Application must also be filed. A subsidized GSL requires no payment of principle or interest until six months after the student ceases half time attendance. Non-subsidized GSLs require the student to make quarterly interest payments while enrolled and during the grace period. Financial need as determined by the Pennsylvania State Grant/Federal Student Aid Application determines whether all or part of the GSL is eligible for interest subsidy. Repayment of principle and interest begins six months after the student ceases half-time attendance. Supplemental Loans for Students (SLS) are available through private lending institutions such as banks and credit unions and are administered in conjunction with the federal government. The interest rate is variable. Repayment of interest begins thirty days after the funds are received with principal deferred while the student is enrolled on at least a half time basis. Applications are available through your lender. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Alternative Loan may assist students who are ineligible for GSL/SLS or who need additional financing to meet educational costs. The interest rate is variable with repayment of principal and interest beginning thirty days after the funds are received. For an application contact PHEAA at 1-800-692-7392 or write PHEAA, P.O. Box 2165, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2165. For more information, please visit, www.iup.edu/financialaid
Teaching Associateships Advanced doctoral students may apply for positions as Teaching Associates in the English Department. A Teaching Associate may be given responsibility for teaching up to six credits of undergraduate courses per semester. For these teaching duties, the Teaching Associate receives a salary. Teaching Associates are appointed on a year-to-year basis not to exceed two academic years. Applications are made through the Graduate English Office and nominations are made by the program director in conjunction with the appropriate departmental entities. For more information, please visit, www.iup.edu/financialaid
Veterans Programs IUP is approved to offer training under the various G.I. Bills. Students who are entitled to training under one of these bills should contact the veterans counselor immediately after being accepted for admission to IUP in order to secure additional instructions. This procedure is necessary so veterans may be included on the monthly payrolls. The Office of the Veterans Counselor is in 302 Pratt Hall, (724) 357-2234. For more information, please visit, www.iup.edu/financialaid
Outstanding Research Awards Every year the School of Graduate Studies and Research offers graduate students outstanding research awards. The awards are competitive and open to graduate students nominated by any department offering graduate courses. One original proposal with the nominating letter must be submitted to Beverly Obitz in Room 120, Straight Hall. Guidelines for submissions are available from the School of Graduate Studies and Research. If you are interested and have any questions you may call 724-357-2224 or email Beverly Obitz at bobitz@iup.edu.
Research Grants Research grants are intended to encourage students to undertake research and creative projects which will contribute new insights to the students academic field. If you are interested and have any questions you may contact Gian Pagnucci by email at pagnucci@iup.edu. More information and current submission guidelines are available through the School of Graduate Studies and Research
Travel Awards Travel awards are available to assist students that are interested in presenting papers at professional meetings and conferences. Amounts available will vary. The Student Travel Form must be completed and returned to the Associate Dean of Research in Room 120 Straight Hall at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting date. Doctoral and Masters students need to follow different instruction forms. The travel expense voucher must be filled out upon the student's return to IUP as well. All forms are available from the School of Graduate Studies and Research. For more information please contact the Beverly Obitz, Associate Dean of Research at 724-357-2224 or by email at bobitz@iup.edu. You may also speak to the Graduate Director of your program degree.
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