Admissions & Financial Aid

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Admission General Admission Procedures | Doctoral Degree | Specialist Degree | Master’s Degree | Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies | Certificate Degree | Non-Degree Admission | Second Bachelors Degree | Guest Students | International Applicants

Financial Information Tuition and Fees | Payment of Tuition | Late Registration Fee | Cancellation of Registration | Suspended or Dismissed Students | Responsibility for Financial Obligation

Financial Assistance Graduate Assistantships | Graduate School Scholarships | Need-Based Aid | Federal and State Aid | Other Aid

Admission

General Admission Procedures

Complete and submit to the Office of Admissions all required documents and materials. Official transcripts sent to EMU directly from the institution are required for all institutions (graduate and undergraduate) attended. The following priority deadlines have been established for receipt of all application materials required for admission to a graduate program:

For more information about priority deadline visit the Graduate School website.

Applications received after the priority deadline will be processed in the order received. Admission cannot be guaranteed if materials are submitted after May 15. Newly admitted students may not change programs two weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Some programs have deadlines different from those stated above. Prospective applicants are advised to verify the program deadline with their academic department or its web site.

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official test scores. Required tests and minimum scores are available from the Office of Admissions or its website.

Individual departments may require higher scores than the Graduate School. Students who score below the minimum required by their department may be admitted conditionally and will be placed in ESL courses. These assigned ESL courses will be in addition to the student’s departmental program of study. The ESL condition does not affect a student’s enrollment or visa status.

Contact information for the Office of Admission: PO Box 970 | Ypsilanti, MI  48197 | graduate_admissions@emich.edu | 800.GO.TO.EMU

Doctoral Degree

Requirements for admission to a doctoral degree program include the following:

1. Submission of the completed Application for Graduate Admission, nonrefundable application fee and all official graduate and undergraduate transcripts to the Office of Admissions;
2. The earned equivalent of a four-year, U.S. bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited college or university;
3. A minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the master’s degree or, for those departments admitting directly from the bachelor’s degree, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission (see below). Some departments require higher minimum GPAs; see specific program requirements;
4. Other departmental admission requirements, such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements, portfolios and interviews, as listed under the individual programs;
5. A statement of financial responsibility for those who are or will be on an F-1 or J-1 visa; and
6. Demonstration of English language proficiency, by applicants whose native language is not English (see International Applicants, below).

The application and all supporting documents become the property of Eastern Michigan University and will not be returned to the applicant. Applicants are not admitted to the Graduate School and/or an academic program until they have been notified in writing of acceptance by the Office of Admissions.

Transfer Credit

Post-baccalaureate degrees earned at Eastern Michigan University or another accredited institution may be applied to a student’s program of study at the discretion of the student’s doctoral program. With the exception of post-baccalaureate degrees, no more than 12 hours of transfer credit may normally be applied to a doctoral program. Exceptions to this policy require the approval of the department head and Graduate School.

Specialist’s Degree

Requirements for admission to a specialist’s degree program include the following:

1. Submission of the completed Application for Graduate Admission, nonrefundable application fee and all official graduate and undergraduate transcripts to the Office of Admissions;
2. The earned equivalent of a four-year, U.S. bachelor’s degree (and master’s degree, if applicable) from an accredited college or university;
3. A minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the master’s degree or, for those departments admitting directly from the bachelor’s degree, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission (see below). Some departments require higher minimum GPAs; see specific program requirements;
4. Other departmental admission requirements, such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements, portfolios and interviews, as listed under the individual programs;
5. A statement of financial responsibility for those who are or will be on an F-1 or J-1 visa; and
6. Demonstration of English language proficiency, by applicants whose native language is not English (see International Applicants, below).

The application and all supporting documents become the property of Eastern Michigan University and will not be returned to the applicant. Applicants are not admitted to the Graduate School and/or an academic program until they have been notified in writing of acceptance by the Office of Admissions.

Master’s Degree

Requirements for admission to a master’s degree program include the following:

1. Submission of the completed Application for Graduate Admission, nonrefundable application fee and all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts to the Office of Admissions;
2. The earned equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission (see below). Some departments require higher minimum GPAs; see specific program requirements;
4. Other departmental admission requirements, such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements, portfolios and interviews, as listed under the individual programs;
5. A statement of financial responsibility for those who are or will be on an F-1 or J-1 visa; and
6. Demonstration of English language proficiency, by applicants whose native language is not English (see International Applicants, below).

The application and all supporting documents become the property of Eastern Michigan University and will not be returned to the applicant. Applicants are not admitted to the Graduate School and/or an academic program until they have been notified in writing of acceptance by the Office of Admissions.

Types of Admission

Degree admission requires that the applicant meet both Graduate School and departmental admission requirements as stated in the Graduate Catalog. Admission to graduate studies may be unconditional or conditional. There are four categories of conditional admission:

Conditional Admission

Condition 1: Curriculum Deficiencies. This conditional admission status applies to applicants who meet the Graduate School’s admission requirements, but have curricular deficiencies or do not meet other departmental standards. Conditions to be met prior to gaining degree admission status are normally found on the Graduate Admissions Recommendation Form, sent to the student with the letter of admission.

Condition 2: Senior Status. This status applies to applicants who are in the process of completing an undergraduate degree at the time of application.   A conditional senior is a student who will have COMPLETED his/her UG degree PRIOR TO the start of the GRADUATE program.  This admission is valid for one semester only, and the condition is removed upon submission of an official degree-posted transcript to the  Office of Admissions . A hold on the student account prevents future course enrollment until degree verification is completed.

Condition 3: English as a Second Language (ESL). ESL status applies to applicants who are non-native speakers of English and whose scores on required language-proficiency tests were below the required minimum. Students admitted with the ESL condition must successfully complete ESL courses as assigned.

Condition 4: Academic Deficiencies. This status is granted to degree program applicants who do not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of the Graduate School or the academic department, whichever is higher. Students must complete a minimum of nine to twelve graduate hours as specified by the department while maintaining good academic standing (3.0 GPA). These credits can be applied to a graduate degree program only upon the recommendation of the designated departmental advisor. Students are eligible to receive graduate level financial aid for 12 months (three semesters). After 12 months, the Condition 4 status must be removed for continued aid eligibility.

Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

Advisor 

Wade Tornquist, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies & Research | 200 Boone Hall, 734.487.0042,graduate_school@emich.edu

This 36-hour program provides a flexible and innovative graduate-level experience for students whose educational or professional goals are not met by other graduate degree programs at Eastern Michigan University.

With the assistance of two or more faculty members, applicants propose a program of study made up of a structured sequence of courses designed to meet a specific set of goals and objectives. Courses are taken from three (3) subject areas, and a thesis or capstone project completes the program of study. Interested applicants must meet with the Graduate School. The program of study for this degree must be developed and approved by the Graduate School at the beginning of the student’s enrollment. The degree shall only be used for this purpose.

Residency Requirement

For master’s/specialist degree programs of 36 or fewer hours, at least 24 new graduate hours after the last degree earned must be earned at EMU.  The remaining program requirement hours may be met through transfer, use of prior degree credit (EMU or elsewhere) or additional new EMU credits.

For master’s/specialist degree programs of 37 or more hours, at least 30 new graduate hours after the last degree earned must be earned at EMU. Minimum degree hours must still be met for graduation.

Additional information about Graduate School policies can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

Certificate Programs

The graduate certificate program is for students with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and an interest in specialized studies. The advanced graduate certificate is for students with graduate degrees, who wish to stay current in their field or gain expertise in a specialized area.

Requirements for admission to a graduate certificate or advanced graduate certificate program include the following:

1. Submission of the completed Application for Graduate Admission, non-refundable application fee and all official undergraduate and graduate transcripts to the Office of Admissions;
2. The earned equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
3. A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program;
4. Other departmental admission requirements, such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, personal statements, portfolios and interviews, listed under the individual programs in this catalog;
5. A statement of financial responsibility for those who are or will be on an F-1 or J-1 visa; and
6. Demonstration of English language proficiency, by applicants whose native language is not English (see International Applicants, below).

The application and all supporting documents become the property of Eastern Michigan University and will not be returned to the applicant. Applicants are not admitted to the Graduate School and/or an academic program until they have been notified in writing of acceptance by the Office of Admissions.

Types of Admission

Certificate admission requires that the applicant meet both Graduate School and departmental admission requirements as stated in the Graduate Catalog. Admission to a graduate certificate or advanced graduate certificate program may be unconditional or conditional. There are four categories of conditional admission.

Condition 1: Curriculum deficiencies. This conditional admission status applies to applicants who meet the Graduate School’s admission requirements, but have curricular deficiencies or do not meet other departmental standards. Conditions to be met prior to gaining certificate admission status are normally found on the Graduate Admissions Recommendation Form, sent to the student with the letter of admission.

Condition 2: Senior Status. This status applies to applicants completing an undergraduate degree at the time of application. It is valid for one semester only, and is removed upon submission of an official degree-posted transcript to the Office of Admissions.

Condition 3: English as a Second Language (ESL). ESL status applies to applicants who are non-native speakers of English and whose scores on required language-proficiency tests were below the required minimum. Students admitted with the ESL condition must successfully complete ESL courses as assigned.

Condition 4: Academic Deficiencies. This status is granted to certificate program applicants who do not meet the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement of the Graduate School or the academic department, whichever is higher. Students must complete a minimum of 6 graduate hours as specified by the department while maintaining a good academic standing (3.0 GPA). These credits can be applied to a graduate certificate program only upon the recommendation of the designated departmental advisor. Students are eligible to receive graduate level financial aid for 12 months (three semesters). After 12 months, the Condition 4 status must be removed for continued aid eligibility.

Certificate Requirements

Both graduate and advanced graduate certificate programs must consist of at least 12 graduate-level hours. One 400-level course, approved from graduate credit, may be used on the graduate certificate program. No 400-level courses may be used on the advanced graduate certificate. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be achieved. In most cases, credits earned for certificate programs may apply to a graduate degree. All requirements for either certificate must be completed within three years of first enrollment.

All requirements for either certificate must be completed within three years of first enrollment.

Residency Requirement

For graduate certificate programs,

1. at least 9 graduate hours after the last degree earned must be earned at EMU.
2. Credits earned during completion of a graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s or specialist degree if in the same field of study, with the approval of the academic department, and be included in the residency requirement for master programs.

 Additional information about Graduate School policies can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

Non-Degree Admission

Non-degree admission status applies to students who do not wish to pursue a degree program, or who are prevented from doing so by the Graduate School or their academic department. Non-degree status may be appropriate in the following situations:

1. Professional Teacher Certification. Certified teachers and other education professionals who do not intend to pursue a graduate-degree program enroll in this category. Applicants are seeking a second teaching certificate (see Teacher Certificate section of this catalog).*
2. Extended Programs. Applicants who enroll through Extended Programs are non-degree students. Students seeking a degree must formally apply and be admitted to a graduate program, and any courses taken through Extended Programs must be approved by the academic department and the Graduate School as noted on a program of study.
3. Graduate Non-degree: This status is intended for applicants with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 who wish to enroll in graduate or undergraduate courses for self-enrichment purposes or to obtain other professional qualifications such as teaching endorsements. This admission status does not lead to a graduate degree. Applicants must provide a bachelor’s degree-posted transcript with at least 60 hours of course work and a 2.7 GPA. If 60 hours were not earned from the bachelor’s-degree-granting institution, all undergraduate transcripts must be provided to the Office of Admissions.
4. Undergraduate Non-degree: An applicant whose undergraduate grade point average was 2.0 to 2.7 may be admitted as an undergraduate student to enroll in undergraduate courses for which course prerequisites have been met. An Undergraduate Admission Application must be completed and submitted with fee to the Office of Admissions. See the Undergraduate Catalog for further details.

Note: *Applicants seeking their first (provisional) teaching certificate will apply as undergraduate post-baccalaureate teacher certificate students. See the EMU Undergraduate Catalog for details.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Second bachelor’s degree students are admitted as undergraduate students using the undergraduate admissions form. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details.

Guest Students

The Michigan Intercollegiate Graduate Studies (MIGS) program offers graduate students at many Michigan institutions the opportunity to take advantage of graduate courses or experiences offered by Eastern Michigan University or other institutions in the state. Applicants complete the MIGS application form (available in the Graduate School, and on the Graduate School’s website) and secure the approval of their advisor for the courses to be taken.

Currently enrolled students in a graduate program at other institutions who wish to take a graduate course at Eastern Michigan University for transfer to their home institution may do so by enrolling as non-degree students. Guest students in the College of Business must meet the standards for regular admission to business programs.

Information about how to enroll into the MIGS program can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

International Applicants

An applicant is considered an international student if either of the following conditions exists:

1. the applicant is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or
2. the applicant currently has or will require a visa to live, work or study in the United States.

Priority deadlines for receipt of all application materials for graduate degree and certificate programs are:

All International Students whose native language is not English: Official English Language skills test - TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) are required*

English Full Admission Minimum Test Scores

*Some graduate programs require higher scores. Check with the program department or school.

**The Pearson Test of English is an option for language competency for graduate admission. It may be used instead of score submission from TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB.

Admission status is based on the first English proficiency score that students send to the University. If a later test results in a higher score, it also should be sent to the Admissions Office. All scores must arrive two weeks before the first day of the term or semester.

For information on the TOEFL or TWE, contact: Educational Testing Service | P.O. Box 6155 | Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6155 | 609.771.7100 | Website

For information on the MELAB, contact: English Language Institute | University of Michigan | 3020 NUBS | Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 | 734.764.2416

Intensive English Program (IEP)

International students who wish to improve their English before applying to a degree program may apply to the Intensive English Program in the Department of World Languages. The IEP offers full-time, rigorous ESL instruction for academic purposes.  For more information, see emich.edu/esl.

Students under ESL conditional admission must take ESL classes in the first semester in which they are enrolled, and in each subsequent semester until they have completed the required ESL courses. Placement into ESL classes will be determined by the scores students obtain on the ESL Placement test upon arrival at EMU.  sub-scores achieved on the TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, or PTE. (Contact the ESL Office for more information.)

Once placed into ESL courses students must complete each course with a grade of B or higher and must test into the next level on the ESL Exit Test at the end of the semester to advance to the next level. (Students who receive a grade of B- or lower for a course or who do not test into the next level on the ESL Exit Test must repeat that course in the next semester in which they are enrolled.) Graduate students must continue ESL courses each semester until they finish the 500 level.

When students have successfully completed the required ESL courses, the ESL condition is removed from their admission status.

Regular University academic probation and dismissal policies apply to students in ESL courses.

For information on the English exams, contact: iBT (TOEFL) | MELAB | IELTS | PTE

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

• Fees Subject to Revision: All University fees and assessments are subject to change by action of the Board of Regents.
• Application Fee: A one-time, non-refundable $45 graduate application fee is charged to each applicant. Applications for additional degrees or certificates are subject to additional non-refundable fees.
• Program Fees: Certain graduate program charge program fees such as lab/studio. Click here for more information.
• Graduation Fee: A non-refundable graduation fee of $100 is charged to each student applying for a degree or a graduate or advanced graduate certificate. Graduation fees for teaching certificates are set by the undergraduate division and appear in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Tuition Schedule

Tuition is assessed for all credit hours for which a student is registered. Undergraduate tuition is assessed for all 100- to 400-level courses. Graduate tuition is assessed for all 500- to 900-level courses. Tuition rates per credit hour are subject to review at each June Board of Regents meeting and may increase.

Tuition Rates - See Cost of Attendance for current academic year tuition rates and fees.

Tuition/Fees Calculator - Go to the Student Business Services website, to use a Tuition/Fees Calculator to estimate your cost of attendance

Decrease in Academic Load:

For the Fall, Winter, and Summer semester, a 100 percent tuition credit, less the $15 program adjustment fee, will be processed for those students who decrease their academic load through the eighth day of classes. Actual dates are printed in the class schedule for each semester and also online.

No credit adjustments will be made after the above stipulated dates. If a student feels that individual circumstances warrant exceptions from the credit adjustment or the University withdrawal adjustment policy:

1. Obtain a Tuition Appeal Application from the Students Business Services Office in 201 Pierce Hall. Complete and return the application along with an explanation of the extraordinary circumstances involved with supporting documentation of those circumstances. An approval or denial will be issued in writing by return mail.
2. Appeal in writing to the director of Student Business Services at the address above. Be sure to include any additional pertinent information with your written appeal.

Official Registration Day

For purposes of payment of registration fees and tuition assessment, the official registration day for each student is the day the student completes initial registration for the semester or session.

Information about registration dates and other important deadlines can be found on the Records and Registration website.

Qualification for Michigan Residence

To be eligible for the resident tuition rate, students must demonstrate that they are already Michigan/Ohio residents or are coming to the University for reasons primarily other than to attend the University. The following policies will be used to determine residency:

• Minors: The residence of a student under 18 years of age follows that of the student’s parents or legal guardians. If the parents or legal guardians meet the criteria under f below, Criteria for Determining Intent, the student is considered a resident for tuition purposes.
• Non-dependent Students: A student 18 years of age or older must meet the criteria in f below, Criteria for Determining Intent.
• Spouse of Eligible Person: The residence of a student otherwise classified as a nonresident for tuition purposes will follow that of the student’s spouse, if the spouse is eligible for classification as a resident for tuition purposes. This applies only to U.S. citizens or to aliens admitted for permanent residence in the United States who have obtained a permanent or diplomatic visa.
• Aliens: A non-citizen will be eligible for classification as a resident for tuition purposes only if the student is lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States, has received a permanent or diplomatic visa, and meets the criteria in f below, Criteria for Determining Intent, The University provides two installment payment plans for fall and winter.
• Migrants: Michigan migrants will be classified as residents for tuition purposes if they or their parents or legal guardians were employed in Michigan for at least two months during each of three of the preceding five years. Verification of employment as migrant workers should be secured from the Michigan Farm Labor and Rural Manpower Services Office. Other appropriate evidence also may be used by migrant workers to establish their status.
• Criteria for Determining Intent: Students from outside the state and to whom the above policies are not applicable shall be considered nonresident for tuition purposes unless it can be determined that their primary purpose in coming to Michigan is to establish residency in the state, rather than to attend a university. For the purpose of determining intent in such cases, the following criteria are considered, no one of which should be considered controlling:High school attendance in Michigan
  • Reliance upon Michigan sources for financial support
  • Residence in Michigan of family, legal guardian, or other relatives or persons legally responsible for the student
  • Former residence in Michigan and maintenance of significant connections therein while absent
  • Continuous presence in Michigan during periods when not enrolled as a student
  • Long-term military commitments in Michigan
  • Traditional considerations such as voter registration, ownership of real estate, source of driver and vehicle licenses, taxpayer status, and self-supporting or dependency on others, whether residents of Michigan or elsewhere
• Determination of Residence: Residence will be determined at the time of initial admission to the University. Questions of residency status should be raised with the Student Accounting Office. If circumstances change to the extent that a student is no longer considered a resident for tuition purposes, the student will be classified as a nonresident after six months.

Note | It is the responsibility of students, prior to registration, to raise questions in the Student Business Services Office regarding their right to be registered as resident students. The administration is authorized to establish procedures and delegate authority for determining the domicile of students for tuition purposes and to make exceptions within the spirit of this policy.

Tuition Reciprocity Agreement with Ohio

Ohio residents may attend Eastern Michigan University at Michigan resident tuition rates, and Michigan residents of Monroe County may attend the University of Toledo at Ohio resident tuition rates. This reciprocity agreement by the Michigan State Board of Education and the Ohio Board of Regents became effective fall 1978 and is periodically re-evaluated.

Payment of Tuition

1. Log into your my.emich.edu e-mail account, or your forwarded my.emich mail. (If you use a forwarded e-mail address, keep it current.) Each month, you will receive an e-mail notifying you that your bill has been posted. It is the student’s responsibility to check e-mail.
2. You will need your E-ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access Ebill, EPay and Payment Plans. At my.emich.edu on the bottom of the first page are instructions to access your E-ID and PIN.
3. View your bill and click on Current Account Activity to view transactions that are posted after the bill is issued. You can also go to your profile and add an alternate e-mail address.
4. Pay your bill with your checking account routing number (ACH), Master Card, American Express or Discover Card via PayPath. You may pay your bill in person (Check or Cash) or by mail (Check Only) at 201 Pierce Hall, Ypsilanti MI, 48197. Please write your E-ID on your check payment.
5. Allow access to parents or other parties by setting them up as authorized users. All you need is their e-mail address. This will allow them to access your bill, pay your bill, and set up a payment plan. An e-mail is automatically sent to the authorized user with sign-in details. The authorized user will create a new password once in the site.
6. The University offers a payment plan to help manage the cost of education. The cost of the plan is $34 and is added to your installment payments. The plan automatically adjusts as payments or charges are added to your account. To enroll, simply log into the Ebill site at: https://ebill.emich.edu. Click on Payment Plan, at the bottom of the Ebill site, and follow the four simple steps to enroll in the plan. We hope you enjoy this added convenience and we welcome any questions you may have.
7. If you have any questions about the system, please send your e-mail to ebill@emich.edu.

EMU’s optional installment payment plan is offered in the fall and winter semester only and is applicable to tuition, fees, and room & board. A minimum of 50 percent must be paid initially and the remainder by the eighth week of the semester.  An installment service fee of $29 is assessed with the first installment billing and a late payment fee of $36 per month is assessed on past-due balances.

If a student’s account is past due for a current semester, enrollment, University housing and other University services (such as the release of transcripts) are subject to suspension until the account is brought into current status. Payment of assessments for a current semester does not relieve the student of obligation for payment of any balance from a prior semester.

Late Registration Fee

A late registration fee of $140 is charged to those students who do not complete their first registration before the official first day of classes each semester. Checks returned by a bank constitute late registration, resulting in a fee charge. Students enrolling for a course after the mid-point of the semester will be charged an additional $140 late fee.

Cancellation of Registration

Registered students who decide before classes begin not to enroll, must complete a Cancellation of Registration form or send a letter to the Office of Records and Registration. Detailed information about cancellation of registration and withdrawal from classes can be found on the Records and Registration website. Any housing contracts must also be canceled in the Housing Office in order to cancel tuition and room/board assessments.

Suspended or Dismissed Students

A student who is suspended or dismissed from the University during a semester will receive a tuition credit adjustment based on the withdrawal schedule above. Any tuition/fee adjustment will be based on the date the appropriate University administrator notified the student of suspension or dismissal. The date used for housing and food service adjustments will be the day service to the student is terminated.

Responsibility for Financial Obligations

A student is eligible for registration or graduation only if all financial obligations to the University have been met. Transcripts and diplomas will be withheld and the student will be ineligible for further registration until all obligations have been fulfilled.

Financial Assistance

Various types of financial aid are available to graduate students, including assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans. Some of these programs are administered by the Office of Financial Aid and others by the Graduate School.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships (GA) are administered by the EMU Human Resources Department. Assistantships are very competitive. They provide both financial support (tuition scholarships and stipend) and experiential learning for degree-admitted students. Graduate assistantships are normally available for up to two years (four enrollment periods), subject to the recommendation of an academic department and approval by the Graduate School. Graduate assistants (G.A.’s) must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and make satisfactory progress toward degree completion.

To be eligible, applicants must:

1. Be fully or conditionally admitted (conditions 1, 2 or 3) to an academic degree program;
2. Have achieved a cumulative undergraduate GPA equal to the average of students already admitted to the college’s degree programs (usually 3.0);
3. U.S. citizens: Complete the required financial aid forms, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), through the Office of Financial Aid. The FAFSA must be submitted by February 15 for consideration for the following fall semester. Receipt of a graduate assistantship will affect other financial aid awards.
4. International students must have an F-1 or J-1 visa or official work permit to be a GA.
5. Need-Based/Work-Study GA applicants must also complete the required financial aid forms through the Office of Financial Aid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted by March 1 for priority consideration for the following Fall semester. Even if a student qualifies for a WS-GA position, there are a limited number of positions available across campus.
6. A GA award WILL impact other financial aid; communicate with the Financial Aid office.

Full-time graduate assistantships provide the following benefits:

1. Up to 18 credit hours of tuition per fiscal year. (Tuition benefits are prorated for part-time assistantships and for G.A.’s beginning their appointments after the start of the semester);
2. Payment of the registration, general University, technology and student union fees;
3. Parking permit for selected lots, library privileges and a 10 percent discount on purchases at the University bookstore;
4. Variable stipends based on department/school of hire; see Graduate School web site;
5. Valuable experiential learning opportunities.

Students should contact their academic department/school for information on G.A. positions or find one online by clicking here.

The policies governing the GAs can be found on the Graduate School website,

Graduate School Scholarships

Information about The University Fellowship, the Brenner Endowed Scholarship and the Barton Endowed Scholarship offered by the Graduate School can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

The Graduate Dean’s Award for Research Excellence is a $250 cash award made in the fall and winter semesters to reward excellence in ongoing or completed research projects. The application form can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

The Undergraduate Symposium Fellowship is a one-time award of $1,000 to students who participated in the annual Eastern Michigan University Undergraduate Symposium and wish to continue their education as graduate students at EMU. Applications are submitted to the Undergraduate Symposium Organizer in the College of Arts and Sciences.

 Other Graduate Scholarships

Each College offers scholarships. Check each college’s website for information.

Information about Scholarships offered by the Financial Aid Office can be found here.

Need-Based Aid

To apply for need-based aid, graduate students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on information reported on the FAFSA, the federal government calculates the Expected Family Contribution (a number that equates to the student’s ability to pay for college). The Expected Family Contribution is subtracted from EMU’s cost of education. Need is the difference between the student’s ability to pay and the cost of education.

The FAFSA should be filed in January of each year, prior to fall enrollment. Graduate students who are admitted to a graduate degree program will be notified of their eligibility for financial aid once EMU receives their application results from the FAFSA processor. Need-based aid is automatically awarded for fall and winter semesters. Students who need financial aid for summer sessions must file an additional application, available in the Office of Financial Aid or on  its web site beginning February 15 each year.

To be eligible for federal and state need-based aid, a student must:

1. Be accepted by the Graduate School as either a regular or conditionally admitted student in a degree program. Students in this category may borrow up to the cost of their education (not to exceed $18,500) annually, in any combination of subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
2. Maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0, complete 75 percent of classes attempted, and complete the graduate degree within 150 percent of the program’s published minimum credit hours.

Federal and State Aid

Federal and state work-study is awarded to eligible students who demonstrate need. Students may work up to 20 hours weekly on campus or at participating off-campus agencies during the fall and winter semesters. Hourly wages are set by the employer. Full-time work-study positions are also available for students who wish to earn during the summer sessions, if the students will be enrolled in the following fall semester. A FAFSA for the upcoming year is required along with the full-time College Work Study application available in April each year.

Perkins Loans are need-based, long-term educational loans of up to $6,000 per year. Borrowers must begin repayment nine months after graduating, leaving school or dropping below half-time status. Students have 10 years to repay the loans. Repayment schedules depend on the amount borrowed. Repayment terms may be arranged with the Student Loan Accounting Office before leaving EMU.

Subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans are student loans which carry low fixed interest rates. Graduate students may borrow the cost of education (not to exceed $20,500 annually). The maximum loan amount per semester depends on the cost of attendance and other financial aid. Students may be awarded less than the yearly maximum if they receive other financial assistance that is used to cover a portion of the cost of attendance.

The cumulative loan limit is $138,500 for graduate or professional students (only $65,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans). Interest on the subsidized Stafford Loan does not accrue until the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time status. Interest on the unsubsidized Stafford Loan accrues from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If the student allows the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized - that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of the loan and will increase the amount that needs to be repaid.

Work-Study Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of work-study graduate assistantships are funded through the College Work-Study Program. Interested students should contact the Graduate School. Students must submit G.A. application material as well as the FAFSA by February 15 for the following fall semester.

Other Aid

Student employment listings are maintained by the Student Employment Office. No demonstration of financial need is necessary. On-campus employment is limited to 29 hours per week.

Off-campus employment is also listed in the Student Employment Office, as well as with the Job Location and Development Office.

Summer employment opportunities are available with campus, resort, recreational, business, industrial and governmental agencies. Listings for such positions begin during the winter semester in the Student Employment Office. Click here for more information.

University Short-Term Loans are available for direct and indirect educational expenses from the Student Loan Accounting Office. An applicant must be enrolled at EMU and have a minimum 3.0 GPA at the time funds are released, have no past-due obligations to EMU, have repaid previous loans satisfactorily and demonstrate sufficient means to repay the loan by the due date.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement Plans are offered by many companies. Graduate students are encouraged to investigate their employer’s policy.