Paying for Graduate School

Graduate school is a significant investment, but UC resources like the Financial Aid Office, Bearcat Promise Career Studio (add link), Pre-Professional Advising Center (PPAC), and UC’s Graduate College help you navigate funding for programs in engineering, business, education, medicine, or law.

Understanding Costs

Tuition/Fees: Consider tuition costs and general fees for master’s and professional programs. Visit school sites for specific costs, including in-state rates if applicable.
Living Expenses: Consider costs for essentials like housing, food, taxes, and healthcare where you plan to attend graduate school. Cincinnati’s low cost of living supports UC’s 390+ graduate programs.
Other Costs: Books, test fees, and application fees.

Resource Tip: Contact the Financial Aid Office, learn about national and international fellowship opportunities, and contact your program of interest to ask about UC college- or department-based fellowships.

Step 1: Research Funding (12–18 Months Before)

Assistantships: Teaching/research roles often include tuition remission and stipends. Check UC’s Graduate College. Graduate schools typically talk about scholarships or funding somewhere in their admissions materials.
Fellowships/Scholarships:
- Institutional: Check National and International Fellowships for UC students.
External: NSF, CareerOneStop, Peterson’s Grad School Scholarship Search, Fastweb Scholarships for First-Year Graduate Students, Scholarships.com Graduate Scholarships, or APA Free Money for Education.
- Employer Sponsorship: Leverage UC’s co-op program for employer-funded education.
- Loans: FAFSA for federal loans (check for current rates and limits); compare private loans.

PPAC Tip: Pre-health/pre-law students can access AAMC or LSAC scholarships. Contact UC’s PPAC for additional information.

Step 2: Create a Financial Plan (9–12 Months Before)

Estimate Costs: Use program websites or UC’s College Cost Calculator.
Compare Offers: Prioritize full funding (PhD) or generous aid (master’s/professional).
Save Costs: Consider in-state, online, or part-time programs.
Budget Application Costs: Tests (e.g., GRE: $220, MCAT: $335), travel, and fees.

Resource Tip: Access CollegeScoreCard.gov to research costs and outcomes.

Step 3: Apply for Funding (6–12 Months Before)

Assistantships/Fellowships: Apply via program portals (December–February deadlines).
Scholarships: Use Fastweb or Scholarships.com, or PPAC’s pre-health/pre-law lists.
FAFSA/Loans: Submit by March 1. Consult Financial Aid Office.

Step 4: Evaluate Offers (3–6 Months Before)

Step 5: Manage Finances (Post-Acceptance)

Budget: Use tools like Mint to track spending. Your bank may also offer a free spending tracker tool.
Work: Explore on-campus jobs, co-ops or internships.
Monitor Loans: Contact the Financial Aid Office for repayment options.

Resource Tip: UC offers a Student Money Management Program to assist students with managing finances.

Ready to Plan? Visit the Financial Aid Office (513-556-1000, financial.aid@uc.edu) or Career Studio (TUC 310). Contact PPAC at preproadv@uc.edu.