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Assistantships and Awards

There has never been a better time to explore UNF's graduate programs. We offer affordable, high quality programs with available financial aid from multiple sources. Contact the Graduate School at  GraduateSchoolAwards@unf.edu if you have any questions.

Overview

The Graduate School has several types of awards available to graduate students including graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, fellowships, and scholarships. Colleges and other university offices also offer a variety of awards. Graduate student awards are offered on a competitive basis. Full-time university staff are ineligible for awards offered by the Graduate School. Students are encouraged to make a financial plan to pay for graduate school including federal student loans, institutional aid and/or external funding. The Graduate School has resources to assist you including Paying for College Tips and our Cost Calculator. We strongly recommend contacting the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

Some awards require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Complete the FAFSA online and enter UNF's school code: 009841. For more information, refer to the Financial Aid Checklist. Please note that students may not be able to accept multiple awards and, if necessary, will be required to forfeit an award.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are state-classified university positions supported with university or grant funds and made available through the individual college in which your program of study is housed. Assistantship positions should complement the student program of study. Graduate students who wish to apply for an assistantship should contact their Graduate Program Director.

Eligibility and Requirements
To be hired under any assistantship classification, students must:
  • Be enrolled as a full-time (9 credits for master’s; 6 credits for doctoral) degree-seeking graduate student for the term (fall/spring) in which the position will be held. Undergraduate students, including those in an accelerated pathway, and UNF employees are ineligible for an assistantship position. Summer enrollment is not required to hold an assistantship position. 
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 each term an assistantship position is held. 
  • Work no more than 40 biweekly hours in combination with all other UNF employment. 
  • Graduate Teaching Assistants are required to enroll in the Graduate School Canvas GTA Orientation or a department led GTA orientation.

 

Waiver Eligibility 

To be eligible for the waiver(s), graduate assistants must be:

  • In-state tuition waiver (awarded to select graduate students; not all positions are eligible)
    • An active degree-seeking graduate student
    • Hired at a minimum of 10 hours per week as a graduate assistant, graduate teaching assistant, or graduate research assistant; waivers are  pro-rated based on the position hours, for enrollment of up to nine (9) graduate credit hours 
    • Paid the minimum stipend requirement
    • * Please speak with your hiring department if you have questions regarding your in-state tuition waiver eligibility. 
  • Out-of-state fee waiver
    • An active degree-seeking graduate student
    • Classified as an out-of-state resident for tuition purposes
    • Hired at a minimum of 10 hours per week as a graduate assistant, graduate assistant-distance learning coach, graduate teaching assistant, or graduate research assistant.

 

Waiver Information and Processing
  • Waiver is only applied towards graduate level tuition
  • ​​​Fees* are not covered
  • Students are liable for tuition not covered by the waiver(s) and fees
  • Waiver is only good for the semesters during which the student is employed as a graduate assistant
  • Eligibility requirements must be maintained throughout the semester
  • If the position is terminated or the student withdraws from courses before the final deadline to withdraw from the term in which the position is held, the waiver will be adjusted accordingly. This may result in an outstanding balance being owed. Refer to the Academic Calendar for the final withdrawal deadline.
  • Students are required to contact the Graduate School if enrollment changes after the date the waiver was applied

An email notice is sent to the student when the waiver is processed. It takes 1-3 business days for the waiver to credit to the student bill. Students who are expecting a waiver should consider a payment plan if it has not posted within 3-5 business days of the payment deadline.

 

Assistantship Types
  • Graduate Assistant
    • Performs general educational administrative duties that contribute to their program of study, and has no research responsibilities.
  • Graduate Assistant DL Coach
    • Provide instructional support for online courses under the direction of the Instructor of Record and assist the instructor with the facilitation and maintenance of the course, i.e. posting announcements, assisting students with technical questions, participating in discussions, and documenting student comments, questions, and concerns.
  • Graduate Research Assistant
    • Involved in faculty-supervised research and has no teaching responsibilities.
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant
    • Performs teaching duties under the supervision of an appropriate faculty member and may be the instructor of record for a course.

Graduate Student Award

The Graduate Student Award is a means to recruit high caliber students who demonstrate financial need. This award provides recipients with $5,000 per academic year ($2,500 per semester; fall/spring) and can be awarded 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.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the award, applicants must:

  • Be a first-time master’s or doctoral student at UNF for the summer or fall term
  • Show financial need as demonstrated by the FAFSA. (Note: Graduate students are considered independent for FAFSA purposes; students who were not eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate dependent, may be eligible as a graduate student. International students cannot apply for federal student aid and are therefore not eligible for this award.)
  • Be enrolled at least 6 credit hours in their degree program
  • Remain in Good Academic Standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher) for the duration of the award
Notes:
  • Renewal for the second year is automatic if the recipient still meets eligibility criteria (demonstrates financial need via FAFSA, is in good academic standing and enrolled in at least 6 credit hours), and funds are available.
  • Full-time university staff are not eligible for awards offered by the Graduate School.

 

Application & Deadline

Application:

  • All eligible students are automatically considered through Scholarship Universe.
Important Dates:
  • Eligible students will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 1 and notified as they are selected but no later than August 1.
  • Students will not be considered until they are admitted and complete the FAFSA, so it is highly recommended these are completed before April 1.

Graduate Research Grant

The UNF Graduate School offers a limited number of grants each semester to graduate students pursuing experiences that are potentially transformative, both for advancing their scholarship and creativity and for expanding their future career opportunities. 

 Students submitting applications may apply for a maximum of $1000 in one of two categories listed below:

  1. Funding for research, creative activities, or training/clinical experience. Examples of appropriate expenditures include travel for research; expenses for an unpaid internship; and purchase of supplies, equipment, or data sets considered important for scholarly or creative work.
  2. Funding for disseminating the results of research. Examples of appropriate expenditures include article processing fees or subventions; registration and travel for presenting a paper or poster at a professional conference; costs for musical performances and recordings.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the grant, applicants must meet all of the following requirements when they apply, and maintain them during the semester in which the grant funds are disbursed:  

  • Completion of at least 6 credit hours in their program of study.
  • Good Academic Standing, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Enrollment in at least one (1) credit hour (audited coursework will not count towards this requirement) during the term in which the grant will be awarded.
  • We strongly recommend that you present at one of the UNF student research events UNF student research events U-GLIDE (December), SOARS (April), or ARISE (July); or submit to publish in the UNF PANDION journal.
  • Submit proof of the activity with the application, e.g., proof of being accepted to present at a conference or research/creative proposal for a specified activity, in addition to a list of estimated expenses and your submission to present/publish at one of the above options.

 

Application & Deadline

The UNF Graduate School will not be accepting any more applications for this academic year. Submission will be open again in August 2025. We look forward to accepting your application in the future. Thank you for your understanding. 

To be considered for the grant, the application and supporting documentation should be fully completed and submitted before the activity's start date and the term end date as per the Academic Calendar. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited funding, which may lead to early closure of applications. Please note that multiple approvals are necessary before the Graduate School can process your application, so early submission is recommended at the beginning of the term.

  • The grant application is submitted using Online Forms in myWings:
    1. Click on "Student" under "My Resources";
    2. Select "Banner Self Service" under "Student Resources";
    3. Click on Online Forms;
    4. Select the appropriate application under Graduate School.
      • Please monitor your award application by clicking Online Form Status.
  • Submitted no sooner than the start date of the term immediately prior to the term in which the activity will take place. Applications may also be submitted during the term in which the activity will take place, so long as it is before the term end date as published in the Academic Calendar and funding is still available.
  • Received no later than the term end date as published in the Academic Calendar for the term in which the grant will be awarded.

  • Applications received by the Graduate School after the activity has taken place and/or after the term end date, are subject to denial. 

 

Notes
  • If you are unsure if an activity qualifies under this grant, please email graduateschoolawards@unf.edu to verify prior to submitting your application.
  • Master's students can only receive one award.
  • Doctoral students can only receive two awards.
  • Funds cannot be used to pay costs associated with tuition and fees.
  • Funds cannot be used to fund faculty-led study abroad trips. 
  • Funds cannot be used to attend a conference, you must be presenting.
  • Applications may be returned for additional information or further proof if needed. 
  • Funds can only be used on travel, registration, research/creative expenditures, etc. for the awarded student.
  • Funding for the graduate research grant is intended to support independent or small research group (3-4 students) student efforts. Students participating in class group activities are not eligible.
  • Applications may be submitted for activities taking place in the next term. If approved, funding will be disbursed during the application term.
  • If approved, students will receive the amount requested in their application so long as the anticipated expenses are allowable and appropriate up to the maximum award amount.
  • Students who have U.S. Department of Education Loans are limited in the amount of funding they can receive based on the cost of attendance in accordance with federal regulations. Students who receive the maximum allowable amount of loans and receive a Graduate Research Grant may have to reduce the amount of loan money borrowed. For more detailed information, please see the Financial Aid website: https://www.unf.edu/financialaid/loans/index.html.

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.

Eligibility & Requirements
To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:
  • Be a first-time master’s or doctoral student at UNF for the summer or fall term.
  • Be classified as a Florida resident for tuition purposes for at least one year before being awarded the fellowship (Florida Statute 1009.21).
  • Be enrolled full-time in their degree program (Exceptions may be permitted with supporting documentation).
  • Remain in good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher) for the duration of the award.
Notes:  
  • Renewal for the second year is automatic if the recipient still meets eligibility (is a Florida resident, in good academic standing and enrolled fulltime or less with an exception), and funds are available.
  • Full-time university staff are ineligible for awards offered by the Graduate School.

Application & Deadline
Application: 
  • All eligible students are automatically considered through Scholarship Universe.
Important Dates:
  • Eligible students will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 1 and notified as they are selected but no later than August 1.
  • Students will not be considered until they are admitted and classified as a Florida resident, so it is highly recommended these are completed before April 1.

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.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:

  • Meet admissions requirements and be accepted by UNF
  • Demonstrate a GPA of at least 3.0
  • Be pursuing a graduate degree in medicine, nursing or teaching

Notes:

  • Renewal for the second year is automatic if the recipient still meets eligibility criteria (is in good academic standing), and funds are available
  • Full-time university staff are ineligible for awards offered by the Graduate School

 

Application & Deadline

Application:

  • All eligible students are considered through Scholarship Universe.

Important Dates:

  • Eligible students will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 1 and notified as they are selected but no later than August 1.
  • Students will not be considered until they are admitted, so it is highly recommended this is completed before April 1.

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.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:

  • Be a degree-seeking graduate student at UNF
  • Have a GPA of at least 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time or part-time
  • Be an active-duty service member, veteran, or reservist of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, or their spouse or dependent

Notes:

  • Renewal for the second year is automatic if the recipient still meets eligibility criteria (is in good academic standing), and funds are available
  • Full-time university staff are ineligible for awards offered by the Graduate School

 

Application & Deadline

Application:

  • All eligible students are considered through Scholarship Universe.

Important Dates:

  • Eligible students will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 1 and notified as they are selected but no later than August 1.
  • Students will not be considered until they are admitted, so it is highly recommended this is completed before April 1.

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.

Eligibility 
To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:
  • Be a degree seeking graduate student at UNF,
  • Show academic merit as evidenced by a graduate admissions GPA of 3.0 or higher,
  • Demonstrate leadership throughout undergraduate college years including, but not limited to, athletic teams, school club or Greek organizations, youth groups, volunteer service, etc.,
  • Be enrolled full time in a STEM designated graduate degree program (Programs may determine what is considered full time for their nominees but it may be no fewer than 6 credit hours per semester.).
    • STEM programs at UNF include: Accounting, Athletic Training, Biology, Business Analytics, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Computing, Construction Management, Counselor Education, Curriculum & Instruction, Elementary Education, Engineering, Exceptional Student Education, Health Informatics, Instructional Technology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Mathematical Sciences, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Psychological Science, Public Health, Secondary Education, Special Education and Social Work
  • Preference may be given to students who show financial need as demonstrated by the FAFSA. Note: Graduate students are considered independent for FAFSA purposes; students who were not eligible for financial aid as an undergraduate dependent, may be eligible as a graduate student.
Notes:
  • Renewal for the second year is automatic if the recipient still meets eligibility criteria (is in good academic standing and enrolled fulltime in a STEM program), and funds are available.
  • Full-time university staff are ineligible for awards offered by the Graduate School.

Application & Deadline
Application: 
  • All eligible students are considered through Scholarship Universe.
  • Students must also submit to graduateschool@unf.edu (Subject: Key Bradbury Fellowship):
    • A letter of recommendation from a professor or dean; and
    • An essay of no more than 500 words describing leadership experience.
      • Save documents as Last name-First name-KeyBradbury-RecLtr; Last name-First name-KeyBradbury-Essay
Important Dates:
  • Eligible students will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 1 and notified as they are selected but no later than August 1.
  • Students will not be considered until they are admitted and submit the required additional materials (letter of recommendation and essay), so it is highly recommended these are completed before April 1.

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.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must:

  • Be a degree-seeking graduate student at UNF
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
  • Be enrolled full-time (at least 9 credit hours)

Notes:

  • Renewal for the second year is automatic if the recipient still meets eligibility criteria (is in good academic standing and enrolled full-time), and funds are available.
  • Full-time university staff are ineligible for awards offered by the Graduate School

 

Application & Deadline
Application:
  • All eligible students are considered through Scholarship Universe.

Important Dates:

  • Eligible students will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting April 1 and notified as they are selected but no later than August 1.
  • Students will not be considered until they are admitted, so it is highly recommended this is completed before April 1.

Other UNF Scholarship Opportunities

By College

Brooks College of Health

Coggin College of Business

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Computing, Engineering & Construction

Silverfield College of Education & Human Services

Other

Library Scholarships

Student Government Scholarships

International Student Scholarships

 Study Abroad International Learning Scholarship (SAILS)

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