Graduate Students
A postgraduate degree is probably one of the smartest investments you can make: A 2002 U.S. Census Bureau report found that adults with master’s degrees earn an average of $11,000 more a year that adults with bachelor’s degrees, and adults with professional degrees earn an average of $49,000 more a year (The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings).
But that advanced degree doesn’t come without a price tag.
Paying for graduate school can be more difficult than financing an undergraduate degree. Grad school tuition may be more expensive. Living expenses can be higher. Unanticipated expenses related to research might set you back. In fact, lack of adequate funding is one of the key reasons graduate students give for dropping out of school before completing their thesis and dissertation.
As a graduate student, you might think your financing options are more limited, or that it’s hard to find financial aid specifically for graduate school. But the fact is, there are many financial aid options to help you finance your graduate studies; you just need to know where to look. And that’s where NextStudent Loans can help
Free Money
There are scholarships and grants for just about any student, but only graduate students can apply for fellowships.
Assistantships/Work Study
In addition to Federal Work-Study jobs, graduate students can earn money and pay for school through research assistant and teaching assistant opportunities.
Student Loans
Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 a year in Federal Stafford Loans and up to their total cost of attendance with a Federal Grad PLUS Loan. NextStudent also features Private Student Loans for Graduate Students.
And don’t forget about loan consolidation. It can save you hundreds, even thousands, over the life of your student loans.
No matter what funding avenue you pursue, be sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is truly the starting point for all federal, most state, and some institutional financial aid. You must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered for some grants, work-study, and federal student loans, including Federal Stafford and Federal Consolidation Loans. You have nothing to lose by completing this form, and you may be eligible for more than you think.
Information for Graduate Students
» Graduate Students
» Free Money
» Work Study
» Student Loans
Quick Links
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» Federal Stafford Loans
» NextStudent Private Loans for Graduate Students
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