Financial Aid for Graduates

Program-Specific Aid: Many types of graduate financial assistance are specific to individual programs. Choose from the following to learn more:

• Business
• Nursing
• Education
• Nonprofit Management
• Exercise and Nutrition Science

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive aid from federal student aid programs. Most federal student aid programs require students to enroll for a minimum of half time to be eligible to receive funds.

TEACH Grant

Award amount: up to $4,000 per academic year

Eligibility:

• Students must sign an agreement to teach in a high-need field at a school serving low-income students. Specific service requirements are available at studentaid.gov.
• Award amount is pro-rated based on enrollment level* (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, less than half-time).
• Maximum award amount is reduced annually due to a cut in the program as required by the sequester effective March 1, 2013.

Unsubsidized Direct Loans

Award amount: up to $20,500 per academic year

Eligibility:

• Must be enrolled at least half-time*.
• Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Interest accrues on this loan while students are enrolled in school, though no payments are required until after graduation.

Learn more about Direct Loans

Graduate PLUS Loan

Award amount: varies

Eligibility:

• Students apply for this credit-based loan at studentaid.gov.
• Students may apply for as much as the cost of attendance less other aid received.
• Must be enrolled at least half-time*.

Work-Study

Award amount: $3,000 per academic year

Eligibility:

• Students must have demonstrated financial need (based on the results of the FAFSA).
• Must be enrolled at least half-time*.
• Students earn a paycheck from the University based on hours worked.
• Students offered federal work-study apply for jobs on Handshake.

*Enrollment Levels. For most graduate programs, enrollment in a minimum of 8 credits is considered full-time, 4 credits is considered half-time. For the Doctor in Nursing Practice, 5 credits is considered full-time, 3 credits is half-time. For the Nonprofit Management Certificate, 3 credits is considered full-time (half-time is not an option in this program of study). 

Florida Bright Futures

Award Amount: up to 15 credits of Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Eligibility:

• Students must have earned first baccalaureate degree in the 2010-2011 academic year or later, and after seven semesters or less, or the equivalent in credit hours
• Students may use up to 15 hours of their Academic or Medallion Scholars Program in their first semester in a graduate program.
• Must meet the residency requirements for tuition purposes, as defined by the state of Florida.

Graduate Assistantships

Award amount: varies

Eligibility:

• Academically qualified applicants are invited to apply by the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
• Assistantships provide a tuition waiver plus a stipend.
• Graduate business students must enroll full time.
• Graduate nursing students may apply for half-time graduate assistantships, which provide a pro-rated tuition waiver and stipend.

Graduate assistantships are available each academic year to new full-time graduate business students. An assistantship provides a tuition waiver for up to 12 credit hours per semester, plus a $1,500 stipend. Graduate assistants work 20 hours per week for an academic or administrative office, carry a full course load (at least eight and no more than 14 credit hours per semester) and maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA. Graduate assistantships are competitive and are awarded by the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Academically qualified students will be invited to apply. Please note, Executive MBA students are not eligible for graduate assistant positions.

MSN students may apply for half-time graduate assistantships that provide up to an annual 12 credit hour tuition waiver. To obtain an MSN assistantship application, contact the director of nursing at (813) 253-6223.

Student Employment

Award amount: none

Eligibility:

• Any student who is eligible to work may apply for a student employment position on campus.
• Students earn a paycheck for hours worked.
• Funds and positions are not awarded through the Financial Aid Office. FAFSA is not required.
• Apply for jobs on Handshake.

Outside Scholarships

Gates Millennium Scholars: Gates Millennium Scholars may apply for graduate student funding in one of the following programs at UT:

• MBA in Information Systems Management
• M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
• Master of Education
• M.S. in Exercise and Nutrition Science

Students must submit a Graduate Program Inquiry Form to the Gates Millennium Scholars Program to determine whether the Gates Millennium Scholars will provide funding for the program. Deadline for application is usually Jan. 15 of the same year you intend to begin enrollment for the fall semester (i.e., Jan. 15 for funding in the 2019-2020 academic year). Visit the Gates Millennium Scholars website for more information.

The Financial Aid Office recommends looking to professional associations related to your desired field of study, as many offer scholarships to graduate students. These websites provide information on outside scholarships, grants and loans:

• Fastweb
• FinAid
• Outside Scholarships

Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of any outside awards. Receipt of privately funded scholarships may cause an overaward of financial aid funds.

Veterans and Military Service Members Educational Benefits

UT may cover up to 100 percent of the tuition and fees of veterans eligible for the new Yellow Ribbon program. However, not all graduate programs will be completely covered through the Yellow Ribbon program. The veterans certifying official is located in the Registrar’s Office.

Learn more about veterans benefits

Employee Tuition Benefits

Many companies support employee graduate education with tuition assistance plans. Please let your financial aid counselor know if you will receive educational assistance or other benefits from your employer.

Learn more about participating in an employee reimbursement plan

Graduate and Part-Time Student Tuition Payment Plan

The Bursar's office offers a tuition payment plan specifically for graduate and part-time students. More information, payment plan worksheet and contract are available.

Alternative Loans

Award amount: cost of attendance less other aid

Eligibility:

• Students may select any lender or bank of their choice or choose a lender from UT’s Preferred Lender List.
• The Financial Aid Office recommends exhausting all other aid options before taking an alternative loan (federal loans are generally less expensive).
• FAFSA is not required.
• Lenders may require a co-borrower, making payments while in school or other stipulations.

Higher Education and Your Taxes

Education tax credits, including American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning can help pay for college. Form 1098-T will help identify tax credits.

Students who receive scholarships, grants or even loans from outside sources may not receive funding that exceeds the cost of attendance (as determined by the Financial Aid Office) when combined with the rest of the financial aid award package.

Scholarships and other awards received from University and non-University sources must be included toward meeting “need” if “need-based” assistance is part of an award. The receipt of outside or additional funds may result in a reduction or change of funds already awarded.

The Financial Aid Office will make every effort to minimize the impact of additional aid sources to aid previously awarded. If it becomes necessary to adjust a student's financial aid award, loans and work-study funds are adjusted first. Scholarships and grants are adjusted only after all other options are exhausted.

Students must notify the Financial Aid Office of any private or outside scholarships and awards. The Financial Aid Office can assist in administering the funds and evaluate whether any changes to other aid awarded are necessary. Please refer to your financial aid counselor for additional information in regards to the cost of attendance, "need" and how financial aid can be affected and adjusted in these types of situations.