Graduate Funding Opportunities
Ways to Fund Your Advanced Degree at WPI
The benefits of attending graduate school are clear—faster career advancement, a higher salary, and building expertise in your field. But, for some students, the financial investment may cause hesitation or worry about starting an advanced degree. The good news is that there are plenty of funding and financial assistance opportunities available to WPI graduate students.
- WPI PhD students typically receive funding support throughout their doctoral studies, through Research and/or Teaching Assistantships and/or Fellowships.
- For master’s students, funding is often available through loans or tuition reimbursement from employers.
- Prospective and current graduate students may also be eligible for a number of fellowship opportunities, which come with stipends, tuition support, and travel support to attend conferences.
Below, look through the possible funding opportunities for your graduate studies and see what best aligns with your needs.
Graduate Funding Opportunities for International Students
Scholarships
WPI partners with prestigious programs, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, GEM Fellowship Program, and the Gilman International Scholarship Program, all of which offer opportunities for students and early career professionals to research, study, or teach. You may find that funding your graduate studies is more within your reach than you thought.
Fellowships
WPI and partner organizations help make graduate study possible through a number of fellowships for students interested in particular disciplines or types of research. If you find a fellowship that suits your academic plans, be sure to check with the respective department for details on benefits and how to apply.
Private loans
WPI uses ELM SELECT as a tool to provide students with information about alternative/private loans our students have used in the past. ELM SELECT allows you to compare several items such as loan rates, length of repayment, monthly payment amounts, etc. Learn more about ELM SELECT >
The Office of Financial Aid offers more details about student loans at WPI.
Employer tuition assistance
Tuition reimbursement, or tuition assistance, is a benefit that many employers offer as part of their employee benefits package. Ask if your company offers tuition reimbursement and find out if you are eligible to participate. If your employer has education benefits through EdAssist please visit the WPI EdAssist page for more information.
Direct payment
You must contact your dedicated WPI team member before the start date of the course to make sure that your employer payment can be accepted by WPI.
It is your responsibility to submit any and all necessary paperwork (before the start date of the course) from your company that is related to this payment, so that payment is received by WPI. This ensures your student account balance stays in good standing.
It is also your responsibility to be informed and knowledgeable about your employer's tuition reimbursement policy. WPI is unable to answer questions regarding employer tuition reimbursement policies but can assist with questions regarding the types of direct payment WPI accepts.
Research assistant or teaching assistant
Research or teaching assistantships allow students to gain work experience while securing funding support for their degree programs.
Teaching assistantships
Teaching assistants (TAs) are assigned duties that support faculty in their teaching responsibilities. They perform instructional services which may include teaching, grading, coaching, and/or other academic support services.
Requirements:
- TAs are required to be on campus and available for their assignments 10 days before undergraduate classes begin in the fall and every day the university is open during the academic year, until the spring graduation (see the Academic Calendar).
- TA positions have a commitment of 20 hours per week. Some departments have more stringent requirements.
- In general, international students need to score 100 or better on the TOEFL iBT to be considered for a teaching assistantship.
TA assignments are made by the academic department and, with rare exception, are awarded starting with the fall semester. Consult the graduate coordinator in a particular academic department for specific information.
Research assistantships
Research assistants (RAs) are selected by the faculty to participate in sponsored research projects. Typical duties of RAs include, but are not limited to, conducting laboratory experiments and assisting in the development of theoretical advances related to faculty research projects.
Research projects are typically funded by grants and contracts awarded to the university by government agencies, industrial firms, or other private organizations. RA positions have a commitment of 20 hours per week.
The tuition and other financial support provided to graduate students who have been selected for an assistantship varies depending on the department, the specific nature of the coursework, the project, and the student’s status. Students interested in RA funding should contact individual faculty members to find out if this cost support is available.
Learn more about teaching and research assistantships at WPI.
Tuition plan
For easier management of your tuition costs, you can spread your payments across up to five installments.
Learn how it works and view other options available on WPI’s Payment Information page.
Campus employment
Graduate assistantships (hourly)
The following hourly positions for graduate assistants may be available:
- Administrative support. Performs administrative or other related clerical work that is not teaching or research related.
- Graduate learning assistant or graduate assistant. Performs work related to grading, tutoring, and/ or other academic support services on an hourly basis, or performs a combination of administrative, academic support and/or research support under the supervision of a faculty or staff member or another graduate worker.
- Research assistant. Performs research under faculty/principal investigator supervision on an hourly basis.
Internships
Master’s and doctoral students may complete graduate internships in order to enhance professional development and career readiness. Paid internships may also help offset the cost of tuition.
View WPI’s graduate internship opportunities and policies.
PhD support (final semester)
Alex F. Backlin Fund Scholarship
For PhD students who need assistance getting over the finish line in their last semester of study, the Backlin Fund Scholarship provides 1 credit of tuition.
Alumni tuition incentive
The WPI Alumni Tuition Incentive program is available to help make continuing your education possible.
Register for any master's credit-bearing course at WPI and get a 20% discount! The discount will apply to every course you take.
Some restrictions apply.
Graduate Funding Opportunities for Domestic (U.S.) Students
Scholarships
The Gateway Scholarship
At WPI we believe in the importance of lifelong learning and understand the unique challenges a working professional faces in making the decision to return to school. That is why we have created the Gateway Scholarship—to alleviate some of the financial strain that comes with advanced education. This scholarship is available to domestic students who have applied and been accepted into an online or on-campus master’s degree program.
Other scholarships
WPI partners with prestigious programs, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, GEM Fellowship Program, and the Gilman International Scholarship Program, all of which offer opportunities for students and early career professionals to research, study, or teach. You may find that funding your graduate studies is more within your reach than you thought.
Fellowships
WPI and partner organizations help make graduate study possible through a number of fellowships for students interested in particular disciplines or types of research. If you find a fellowship that suits your academic plans, be sure to check with the respective department for details on benefits and how to apply.
Federal loans
Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for federal student loans.
Get access to essential forms, requirements, and other materials on our Financial Assistance page.
Private loans
WPI uses ELM SELECT as a tool to provide students with information about alternative/private loans our students have used in the past. ELM SELECT allows you to compare several items such as loan rates, length of repayment, monthly payment amounts, etc. Learn more about ELM SELECT >
The Office of Financial Aid offers more details about student loans at WPI.
Graduate PLUS Loan
A federal fixed interest rate loan available to graduate students from the Department of Education. Learn more about the Graduate PLUS Loan >
U.S. military and veterans benefits
WPI welcomes and supports veterans, and we participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program of the Post 9/11 Veterans' Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Learn more on our Veterans Affairs page.
WPI also offers a 10% armed services discount for active military students.
Employer tuition assistance
Tuition reimbursement, or tuition assistance, is a benefit that many employers offer as part of their employee benefits package. Ask if your company offers tuition reimbursement and find out if you are eligible to participate. If your employer has education benefits through EdAssist please visit the WPI EdAssist page for more information.
Direct payment details
You must contact your dedicated WPI team member before the start date of the course to make sure that your employer payment can be accepted by WPI.
It is your responsibility to submit any and all necessary paperwork (before the start date of the course) from your company that is related to this payment, so that payment is received by WPI. This ensures your student account balance stays in good standing.
It is also your responsibility to be informed and knowledgeable about your employer's tuition reimbursement policy. WPI is unable to answer questions regarding employer tuition reimbursement policies but can assist with questions regarding the types of direct payment WPI accepts.
Grants
CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service
The National Science Foundation funds a Scholarship for Service program at WPI to grow the nation's pool of qualified cybersecurity workers. Full scholarships (including tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend) are awarded to students whose studies in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, or a related field are focused on cybersecurity. In return for their funding, scholarship recipients work for the government in cybersecurity for summer internships and post-graduation employment. Learn more about CyberCorps at WPI.
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowships
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) fellowships are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and support U.S. citizens to pursue doctoral degrees in fields deemed to be areas of national need. Learn more about GAANN fellowships at WPI.
National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Programs
National Science Foundation Research Traineeship programs (NRTs) provide exceptionally talented graduate students with specialized training and funding assistance to join careers at the forefront of technology and innovation.
NRT programs help graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers.
There is currently one NSF Research Traineeship opportunity available at WPI, the Circular Economy and Data Analytics Engineering Research (CEDAR). This sustainability traineeship program is for graduate students (MS and PhD) in disciplines ranging from chemical sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, engineering) to data sciences (computing, business analytics, statistics, mathematics) who are interested in convergence research related to the advancement of circular economies. Selectively, PhD students that are U.S. citizens or U.S. legal residents can apply to also be funded as NSF NRT fellows by the NSF on this project.
Learn more about NRT programs at WPI.
Research assistant or teaching assistant
Research or teaching assistantships allow students to gain work experience while securing funding support for their degree programs.
Teaching assistantships
Teaching assistants (TAs) are assigned duties that support faculty in their teaching responsibilities. They perform instructional services which may include teaching, grading, coaching, and/or other academic support services.
Requirements:
- TAs are required to be on campus and available for their assignments 10 days before undergraduate classes begin in the fall and every day the university is open during the academic year, until the spring graduation (see the Academic Calendar).
- TA positions have a commitment of 20 hours per week. Some departments have more stringent requirements.
TA assignments are made by the academic department and, with rare exception, are awarded starting with the fall semester. Consult the graduate coordinator in a particular academic department for specific information.
Research assistantships
Research assistants (RAs) are selected by the faculty to participate in sponsored research projects. Typical duties of RAs include, but are not limited to, conducting laboratory experiments and assisting in the development of theoretical advances related to faculty research projects.
Research projects are typically funded by grants and contracts awarded to the university by government agencies, industrial firms, or other private organizations. RA positions have a commitment of 20 hours per week.
The tuition and other financial support provided to graduate students who have been selected for an assistantship varies depending on the department, the specific nature of the coursework, the project, and the student’s status. Students interested in RA funding should contact individual faculty members to find out if this cost support is available.
Learn more about teaching and research assistantships at WPI.
Tuition plan
For easier management of your tuition costs, you can spread your payments across up to five installments.
Learn how it works and view other options available on WPI’s Payment Information page.
Campus employment
Graduate assistantships (hourly)
The following hourly positions for graduate assistants may be available:
- Administrative support. Performs administrative or other related clerical work that is not teaching or research related.
- Graduate learning assistant or graduate assistant. Performs work related to grading, tutoring, and/ or other academic support services on an hourly basis, or performs a combination of administrative, academic support and/or research support under the supervision of a faculty or staff member or another graduate worker.
- Research assistant. Performs research under faculty/principal investigator supervision on an hourly basis.
Internships
Master’s and doctoral students may complete graduate internships in order to enhance professional development and career readiness. Paid internships may also help offset the cost of tuition.
View WPI’s graduate internship opportunities and policies.
PhD support (final semester)
Alex F. Backlin Fund Scholarship
For PhD students who need assistance getting over the finish line in their last semester of study, the Backlin Fund Scholarship provides 1 credit of tuition.
Alumni tuition incentive
The WPI Alumni Tuition Incentive program is available to help make continuing your education possible.
Register for any master's credit-bearing course at WPI and get a 20% discount! The discount will apply to every course you take.
Some restrictions apply.
