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 2025 semester will need to complete a 2024-2025 FAFSA before June 30th and a 2025-2026 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
  • Financial aid offers will be created based on full-time enrollment (nine or more credits). If you plan to enroll in less than nine credits per semester, your financial aid may be reduced.
  • Graduate Assistants (GA’s) are considered full-time with 6 credits. However, since financial aid offers for graduate students are created based on the assumption that a student will register for 9 credits per semester, a GA’s financial aid eligibility may be reduced. GA’s should report their anticipated enrollment in the Student Administration System. Detailed instructions are available here: Reporting Credits
  • Review Loans for Graduate Students for next steps in completing loan requirements, as well as how to apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan.

Graduate Research and Directed Studies

Students who are registered for the following Graduate Research and Directed Studies courses are considered full-time with 3 credits:

  • GRAD 5960 Full-Time Master’s Research Three credits per semester, no other courses may be taken concurrently; students cannot hold a graduate assistantship.
  • GRAD 6960 Full-Time Doctoral Research Three credits per semester, no other courses may be taken concurrently; students cannot hold a graduate assistantship.
  • GRAD 5930 Full-Time Directed Studies (Master’s Level) Three credits per semester, no other courses may be taken concurrently.
  • GRAD 6930 Full-Time Directed Studies (Doctoral Level) Three credits per semester, no other courses may be taken concurrently.

However, since financial aid offers for graduate students are created based on the assumption that a student will register for 9 credits per semester, the student’s financial aid eligibility may be reduced.

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 apply for financial aid are considered for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Graduate Students may also apply for a Federal Direct (Graduate) PLUS Loan or 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 package. 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.

Private/Alternative Education Loans

Private/Alternative Education Loans are non-federal loans made by private lenders. These types of loans require completion of an application and a valid credit check. Information about Private/Alternative Education Loans as well as UConn’s Suggested Lender List can be found at the following website.

https://financialaid.uconn.edu/altloan/

Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans

Graduate students who complete the FAFSA are considered for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. However, if additional funding is needed, graduate students may choose to complete a separate application for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Detailed information is available at the following website.

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

To apply for a Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loan, students will sign in with their FSA ID and complete the online application available at https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/grad/landing

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/