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Funding Information for Prospective Graduate Students

Funding is available to CSE graduate students in the form of fellowships, research assistantships (GSRA), and teaching assistantships (GSI).

An exceptionally attractive feature of our program is that students admitted at the PhD level are guaranteed full financial support for their MS/PhD studies, as long as they are making satisfactory progress, meet required milestones, and maintain a research advisor relationship. PhD-bound students are supported during their first year as fellows and/or GSRAs; all students are then supported as GSRAs or GSIs in their second and subsequent years.

Admission at the MS level is not accompanied by financial support, although opportunities do exist. Since availability of GSI positions is by a term-by-term basis, we advise our MS students to be prepared to fund their entire graduate education.

First-year student support

Fellowships: CSE Fellowships are awarded, based on available funds, to incoming PhD students.  No application beyond what was submitted to Rackham is required.  These fellowships, like the GSI and GSRA positions listed below, provide tuition and fees, monthly stipend for living expenses, and university healthcare and dental coverage. Students are required to identify an area of research and begin work with a faculty member within their first year of study.

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) and Graduate Student Research Assistant (GRSA): GSI and GSRA positions are filled by both incoming and current graduate students, with the positions primarily being filled by students already in the program. Incoming students are offered GSI and GSRA positions based on their application materials. No additional form is needed. Current students wishing a GSRA position should contact faculty directly. Current students desiring a GSI position must take part in the departmental application process which takes place two times during the academic year. GSIs and GSRAs are usually expected to work 16 to 20 hours a week, receiving full tuition and fees, monthly stipend, and university health care coverage. Students are required to identify an area of research and begin work with a faculty member within their first year of study.

Prospective students can view more information about funding for their graduate studies in CSE below.

Student support information

Incoming PhD students can learn more about what their student support will look like during their first year.
Student support for incoming PhD students >

External fellowships

Students are eligible to be considered for a number of external & industry fellowships.
See information on fellowships >

Additional Resources

Loans and need-based aid

Other University of Michigan fellowship and funding resources