Forms are distributed early in the spring term inviting continuing students to apply for financial support for the following year. Through the Graduate School and the Research Foundation, the Program offers Graduate Assistantships (which include a tuition waiver and medical benefits), University Predoctoral Fellowships, and Summer Fellowships. Students can apply for need-based aid (Tuition Remission, Work Study, grants, and low-interest loans payable after graduation) through the Financial Aid Office, whose deadline is February 15 for continuing students and May 1 for incoming students. Individuals admitted after May 1 may contact the Financial Aid Office (860-486-2819) for specific deadline information. More information about graduate funding may be found at the Graduate School’s site on Assistantships, Fellowships, and Other Aid.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships for students in the Medieval Studies Program come from two sources: the Medieval Studies Program itself and funds received from outside departments. The Medieval Studies Program currently has only two Graduate Assistantships with which it subsidizes a limited number of graduate students from its own funding: the Medieval Studies Librarian and the Medieval Studies Program Assistant. Both of these assistantships are designed for advanced graduate students–in the case of the Librarian, a Ph.D. candidate or a M.A. candidate who is in the second year of coursework; in the case of the Program Assistant, a Ph.D. candidate out of coursework.
Students accepted into the Program are typically granted an assistantship to teach in another department. Currently, students admitted to the M.A. and Ph.D. Program in Medieval Studies are provided Graduate Assistantships through the First-Year Writing Program, teaching one course in composition each semester. Contracts of Graduate Assistants are for one academic year (August through May 31), and are renewed annually depending on the student’s eligibility according to his/her continued progress toward the degree, academic standing (including a required cumulative grade point average of 3.0), and continuous registration (see the Policies). Incoming students in Medieval Studies who are funded to teach Freshman English are required by the Freshman English Program to take English 300, a course in pedagogical practice.
Ph.D. students who have passed their exams and prospectus approval also have the opportunity to teach upper-level courses through the English Department. Although these assistantships are competitive, advanced Ph.D. candidates are typically given one semester of teaching an upper-level course related to his/her field of study.
Occasionally, other opportunities arise for teaching assitantships, for example, through the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages (often on a semester-by-semester basis). Such assistantships are awarded in consultation with the student’s advisor, based on subject knowledge and experience. The same requirements for eligibility apply for these opportunities.
Graduate Assistantship stipends are graduated in terms of progress toward the advanced degree: 1) graduate assistants with at least a B.A.; 2) graduate assistants with an M.A. or its equivalent (24 credits); and 3) graduate assistants who have passed all Ph.D. prelims and the language requirements.
The Connecticut State Legislature has voted to waive tuition for Graduate Assistants. This tuition waiver does not cover the University Fee, currently approximately $900 a term. In addition, Assistantships currently provide health insurance benefits (with a monthly fee); contact Personnel for precise coverage information.
Fred A. Cazel, Jr. Fellowship in Medieval Studies
Periodically, the Medieval Studies Program distributes the Cazel Fellowship to graduate students in the Program. The amount of this Fellowship is traditionally $500, and it is awarded at the discretion of the Executive Committee to students selected on the basis of past academic achievement and demonstration of potential for future academic and professional accomplishments. Preference may be given to students whose major field is History. Financial need may be considered by the Committee, but it is not a determining factor. In the event that the Executive Committee does not consider that there is a student worthy of the award, no Cazel Fellowship will be distributed that year.
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
Once the dissertation prospectus is accepted, students may fill out an application for the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Award (information will be available at the Graduate School). These awards are competitive.
Travel Funding
Travel Funds are available through the Graduate School to doctoral students who have successfully completed their exams.