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Assistantships and Awards Overview

At the University of North Florida, we are committed to supporting our graduate students through a variety of funding opportunities designed to promote academic excellence, research, and professional development. Through competitive awards and assistantships, students can receive financial support, gain valuable experience in their field, and enhance their career readiness.
 
Explore the options below to learn how UNF can support your North graduate journey.
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Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are paid academic positions offered through individual colleges and funded by the university or external grants. These roles support your program of study through hands-on experience in teaching, research, or administrative work.
 
In addition to enriching your graduate education, assistantships offer a range of benefits, which may include:
  • Tuition waivers or reductions 
  • A monthly stipend
  • Hands-on experience in your field of study
  • Opportunities to work closely with faculty and researchers
  • Enhanced career preparation and networking

Check Graduate Assistantship to learn more

Graduate Assistantships offer savings, skills and connection

Florida's number 2 in Graduate Job Placement

Scholarship Universe finding scholarships UNF and External

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Scholarship Universe

Scholarship Universe helps you find both UNF scholarships and external scholarships from outside organizations—all in one place! 
 
Many UNF internal scholarships don’t require a separate application. You’ll be automatically matched based on details like your major, GPA, and other info UNF already knows. If you are awarded a non-application scholarship, we’ll email your UNF account.
 
Learn how to sign up for Scholarship Universe down below!

How to Start Matching with Scholarships

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Log In to Scholarship Universe

Set up your myWings account and UNF email if you haven’t already:  UNF Tech Help 

Log in to Scholarship Universe by using your UNF credentials (same as myWings login).

Scholarship Universe Log In

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Search for Scholarships

Once logged in, click the green banner or the "Questions" tab on the left to get started. These questions help Scholarship Universe match you with scholarships that you meet the consideration criteria for. 

The more questions you answer, the more scholarships you'll match with! Keep your profile updated regularly for best results.

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Apply for Scholarships

To view Scholarships That Require Applications, log in and click “Scholarships” on the left menu. Your Matched and Partial Match scholarships will appear in tabs. 

Click “Apply” to get started with those that need an application. 

If you are awarded a non-application scholarship, we’ll email your UNF account.

Fellowships

Delores Auzenne Fellowship

The Delores Auzenne Fellowship was funded to assist Florida's State Universities in recruiting high achieving graduate students. This fellowship provides recipients $5,000 per academic year ($2,500 per semester; fall/spring) for up to two academic years as long as the student remains eligible. Thus, recipients may receive up to $10,000 for their graduate education.

Learn More

Michael Horowitz Fellowship

The Michael Horowitz Fellowship is awarded to outstanding University of North Florida graduate students seeking degrees in medicine, nursing, or teaching. This fellowship provides one student $10,000 per academic year ($5,000 per semester; fall/spring) for up to six semesters.

Learn More

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Monica Jacoby Graduate Fellowship 

The Monica Jacoby Graduate Fellowship is awarded to outstanding University of North Florida Graduate students who are active duty, veterans or reservists of any branch of the United States Armed Forces, or their spouse or dependents. This fellowship provides one student $10,000 per academic year ($5,000 per semester; fall/spring) for up to eight semesters.

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Jim and Millie Milligan Family Foundation Presidential Fellowship

The Jim and Millie Milligan Family Foundation Presidential Fellowship is awarded to outstanding University of North Florida graduate students. The Provost, through the Graduate School, will identify and recommend a nominee to the President. This fellowship provides one student $5,000 per academic year ($2,500 per semester; fall/spring) for up to five semesters for a master’s degree and seven semesters for a doctoral degree.

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Key Bradbury STEM Fellowship

The Key Bradbury STEM Fellowship is awarded to outstanding University of North Florida graduate students. This fellowship provides one student in a field related to science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) $10,000 per academic year ($5,000 per semester; fall/spring) for up to two years as long as the student remains eligible. Thus, the recipient may receive up to $20,000 for their graduate education.

Learn More

Why I Chose Graduate School at UNF

Alumni running on football field with towelAmanda Zatz,
MS in Athletic Training "22

“The program provided me with hands-on learning opportunities to practice my skills and gave me the freedom to develop into the kind of clinician that I wanted to be through research and clinical goal setting. The UNF MSAT faculty was always supportive of my career goals and gave me the tools necessary to excel in the field of athletic training.”

Alumni headshot with nature backgroundHaley Reinheimer
MS in Higher Education Administration “21

“The HEA program at UNF truly helped me discover my passion in assessment and accreditation as well as equip me with the tools I needed to be successful as a higher education practitioner. During my time in the program, I had many opportunities to grow in the profession as well as make connections across the nation.”

Two students working on a large machineGraduate School Research Grants

The UNF Graduate School offers a limited number of research grants each semester to support graduate students pursuing original scholarship or creative work. These grants fund experiences that are potentially transformative, advancing students' academic goals while expanding future career opportunities. Funding may support thesis-related research, creative projects, or conference presentations across a wide range of disciplines

  • What type of aid is available to me?

    The University of North Florida offers a variety of financial aid options to support graduate students in their academic and research pursuits. These include Graduate Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships, which provide students with financial support in exchange for teaching or research responsibilities. Additionally, the university offers several tuition waivers, such as the Across State Lines Achievement Waiver (ASLAW) Waiver for out-of-state students and the Exclusive Tuition Waiver for previous UNF graduates, which help reduce the cost of attendance for eligible students. Fellowships are available to recognize academic excellence and provide funding without requiring work commitments. Students may also apply for Research Grants to support specific academic projects. Federal aid programs and student loans are available for those needing additional financial support to help cover educational expenses. These diverse funding opportunities make graduate education at UNF more accessible and affordable.

    For international students, please visit the International Center for further details on eligibility for financial aid. 

  • How can I apply for graduate scholarships or awards?

    Students seeking financial aid at the University of North Florida (UNF) have several avenues to explore, and they should begin by identifying which programs and waivers they may be eligible for. Out-of-state students, in particular, should consider opportunities such as the Across State Lines Achievement Waiver (ASLAW), the Out-of-State Tuition Waiver for Fellowships, Graduate Assistantship Waivers, and participation in The Academic Common Market (UNF-ACM), which allows students from select southern states to pay in-state tuition rates if their chosen program is not offered in their home state.

    Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships using ScholarshipUniverse, UNF's online portal that matches students with university and external scholarships based on their profiles.

    For students interested in Graduate Assistantships, it's essential to contact the Graduate Program Director of their department directly, as assistantship opportunities and application procedures vary by program. Each form of aid may have different eligibility requirements and deadlines, so early research and communication with the appropriate offices are crucial for maximizing financial support.

  • Can I receive more than one type of graduate funding?

    Yes, students at UNF may be eligible to receive multiple forms of graduate funding, such as assistantships, fellowships, and tuition waivers. However, eligibility to combine certain awards depends on each funding source's specific terms and conditions. For more questions on restrictions relating to the amount of funding a student is allowed, please contact the Graduate School.

  • Are international students eligible for graduate awards or grants?

    Graduate awards and grants for International Students include the Florida/West Africa Linkage Institute (FLAWI) Waiver, which offers in-state tuition rates for eligible students from West African countries, and the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Scholarship, which provides in-state tuition and additional funding for students from Latin America and the Caribbean. The Non-Florida Tuition Waiver is also available to F-1 visa holders who have completed at least one semester at UNF and demonstrate academic merit and financial need. In addition, international students may be eligible for Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships, which can provide tuition waivers, stipends, or both, depending on the department. Since each award has specific eligibility criteria and application processes, students are strongly encouraged to contact the International Center for detailed information and guidance. Graduate Assistantship inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Program Director of the student's academic department.

  • When will financial aid be applied to my bill?
    Disbursement typically occurs approximately three weeks after the start of each term. During this period, students may notice changes to their anticipated aid, awards, and account charges as the university processes enrollment verification and adjusts financial aid accordingly. Once the aid is disbursed, it is first used to pay any outstanding tuition and fees. If there is a remaining balance, the student will be refunded. Students are encouraged to monitor their myWings account regularly for updates and ensure all financial aid requirements are completed to avoid delays. For more information, please visit Financial Aid.
  • Who should I contact with questions about assistantships and awards?

    Graduate Assistantships are program and department-specific, so students should begin by contacting their Graduate Program Director for information on available positions and eligibility requirements. For general questions about graduate-level awards and funding opportunities, students can contact the Graduate School at graduateschool@unf.edu or by phone at (904) 620-1360. International students seeking financial aid opportunities should contact the International Center, as they can provide tailored guidance on eligibility, visa considerations, and available funding specific to international applicants.