Graduate Students

Getting Started

How to Apply for Aid

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each year that they attend and wish to be considered for aid.

  • FAFSA application is available on October 1st each year
  • UConn School Code: 001417
  • On-time deadline is February 15th for all students

Note: Students who are admitted for the summer 2026 semester will need to complete a 2025-2026 FAFSA before June 30th, as well as a 2026-2027 FAFSA.

Next Steps

  • You will receive an email at your UConn email address notifying you of your financial aid offer. Upon receipt of this email, access the Student Administration System to review and act on your loan offer. In addition, complete all of your To-Do List items, found on the Action List tile in the Student Administration System.
  • All Graduate students should report their anticipated enrollment in the Student Administration System.  Detailed instructions are available here: Reporting Credits
  • Review the Loans for Graduate Students page for next steps in completing loan requirements, as well as how to apply for additional loan funding.

Enrollment and Financial Aid

Financial aid offers will be created based on the assumption that a graduate student will enroll full-time (nine or more credits).

  • Federal Direct Loan offers will be pro-rated for students who enroll in less than nine credits per semester.
  • The minimum number of credits required to maintain Federal Direct Loan eligibility is 4.5 credits per semester.
  • All Graduate students should report their anticipated enrollment in the Student Administration System. Detailed instructions are available here: Reporting Credits
  • Graduate Assistants: UConn considers Graduate Assistants (GA’s) full-time when enrolled in six or more credits. However, Federal Direct Loans for GA’s enrolled in less than nine credits will be pro-rated. GA’s should report their anticipated enrollment in the Student Administration System. Detailed instructions are available here: Reporting Credits
  • Graduate Research and Directed Studies: UConn considers students enrolled in the following GRAD Research and Directed Studies courses to be full-time with three credits: GRAD 5960, 6960, 5930, or 6930.
    • However, beginning July 1, 2026, students enrolled (only) in the courses mentioned above will no longer be eligible for Federal Direct Loans, since the minimum number of credits required is 4.5 credits. Students may choose to apply for a Private Alternative Loan instead.

 

Federal Aid Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements and Terms and Conditions

In order to be considered for financial assistance at the University of Connecticut, students must meet certain eligibility requirements.  Please see the full list of eligibility requirements and Terms and Conditions.

Types of Aid

Loans

Graduate students who complete the FAFSA are considered for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Graduate students may also apply for additional loan funding, such as a Private/Alternative Education Loan. Detailed information is available in the Loans for Graduates section.

TEACH Grants

TEACH Grants at the University of Connecticut are available to high-achieving graduate students in selected high-need teacher preparation programs within the NEAG School of Education. Navigate to the Grants section to get more information about the TEACH Grant program.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study is awarded to students as part of their financial aid offer. Work-Study is a program that allows students to earn money to help pay for educational expenses.
For more information about Federal Work Study, navigate to the Student Employment section.

Academic Merit Awards

The UConn Graduate School administers financial aid awards based on academic merit for graduate students. Awards based on merit include:

• Graduate Assistantships (for teaching or research)
• Fellowships

Information is available on the Graduate School website.

Scholarships

The primary source of information about scholarship programs is the school, college or department in which students are enrolled or plan to enroll.

Graduate students may wish to contact their graduate program/school to inquire about potential degree or discipline- specific sources of financial support.

Financing Options for Educational Expenses

Determining how to pay for remaining educational expenses can be challenging and overwhelming. The Office of Student Financial Aid Services (OSFAS) is here to assist you in identifying options and provide information that will help you decide what works best for you and your family.

Graduate students who complete the FAFSA are considered for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. If additional funding is needed, graduate students may wish to consider the following options.

Scholarship Opportunities

The primary source of information about scholarship programs is the school, college or department in which students are enrolled or plan to enroll.

Graduate students may wish to contact their graduate program/school to inquire about potential degree or discipline-specific sources of financial support.

Loans

Graduate students who complete the FAFSA are considered for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan funding. Graduate students may also apply for additional loan funding, such as a Private/Alternative Education Loan.

Detailed information about the loan options and requirements for graduate students is available on the following website.

https://financialaid.uconn.edu/loans-for-graduates/

UConn Payment Plan

UConn’s Office of the Bursar offers an optional payment plan for the fall and spring semesters. Information about UConn's Payment plan can be found at the following website.

https://bursar.uconn.edu/departments/cash-operations/student-payments/payment-plans/