Funding Opportunities

Robert G. Robinson Scholarship

This fund was established by a friend of the department, the late Robert G. Robinson. Dr. Robinson was a professor of agronomy and plant genetics. He played a leading role in Minnesota’s agricultural economy and was a member of several professional and honor societies. The fund provides scholarships to outstanding, non-smoking students in the doctorate of audiology program. All Doctor of Audiology applicants who are U.S. citizens are automatically considered for this scholarship based on their standard applications materials. You do not need to submit extra materials or request the fellowship to be considered. Award sizes vary, but start at $5000.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, a prospective student lawfully in the U.S. on a non-temporary basis, or an MN Dream Act student. Please visit the Dream Act page for the definition. All Doctor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology MA applicants who meet those criteria are automatically considered for this scholarship based on their standard applications materials. You do not need to submit extra materials or request the fellowship to be considered. 

Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship

The Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship Program seeks to assist graduate research programs to promote a diversity of views, experiences, and ideas in the pursuit of research, scholarship, and creative excellence. This is promoted through the recruitment and support of academically excellent students who are looking to advance equity, diversity, and social justice through scholarly, volunteer, or community activism experiences that required a long-term commitment. The DOVE fellowship is a $25,000 stipend, academic year tuition at the general graduate rate for up to 14 credits per semester, and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan for up to one calendar year. DOVE Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in the First Year Institute (FYI). 

PhD Professional Development Funds 

Each year they remain in good academic standing, SLHS PhD students receive supplemental professional development funds. Professional development funds can help to cover the expenses of presenting papers at conferences and other discipline-related meetings. Generally, this has been a non-service award to help with transportation, lodging, registration fees, and presentation fees.

Clark D. Starr Family Fellowship Fund 

This endowed fund was established by the late Professor Clark Starr and his wife Mrs. Jane Starr to support Speech-Language Pathology MA students. Dr. Starr was an extremely well known and highly regarded scholar with particular expertise in cleft palate and voice disorders. He became the first Department Chair in 1971 when the department became a separate entity at the University of Minnesota. This fund provides support to full-time MA students in the speech-language pathology program who are in good academic standing. The award may be used for the payment, partially or totally, of tuition and/or stipend. All Speech-Language Pathology MA applicants are automatically considered for this fellowship based on their standard applications materials. You do not need to submit extra materials or request the fellowship to be considered. Award sizes vary, but start at $5000.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, a prospective student lawfully in the U.S. on a non-temporary basis, or an MN Dream Act student (please visit the Dream Act page for definition). All Doctor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology MA applicants who meet those criteria are automatically considered for this scholarship based on their standard applications materials. You do not need to submit extra materials or request the fellowship to be considered. 

American Academy of Audiology (AAA)

The American Academy of Audiology offers numerous educational opportunities for audiology graduate students. For scholarship and grant eligibility, deadlines, and application information, visit the AAA Scholarships and Awards page.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation 

The American Speech-Language Hearing Foundation offers a plethora of grants and scholarships to graduate students in Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology, and Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. For a full list of opportunities, visit the ASHA Foundation website's Scholarship page.

National Hearing Conservation Association (NCHA)

The National Hearing Conservation Association offers some funding for Audiology students interested in hearing conservation for research and conference attendance. Please visit the NCHA scholarships page for more information. 

Other Opportunities 

We encourage applicants to seek additional funding opportunities. To provide a starting point, the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) maintains a scholarships page to help applicants and students find additional funding for their education. 

Assistantships 

Admitted students may receive a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship. The time commitment and benefits of assistantships can vary based on the specific position. For more information, visit the Graduate Assistants Employment Services page. While all graduate students are eligible to receive graduate assistantships, we give priority to new and returning PhD students. If any other positions are available, we will consider Doctor of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology MA students based on prior qualifications. 

Please review our CLA Graduate Assistantship pamphlet for standard rates and benefits. The base rate for Academic Year 2025-2026 is $28.94 per hour. Assistantships are typically 5, 10, or 20 hours a week.

All nonnative English-speaking graduate and undergraduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) must demonstrate proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English. This can be done through examinations before or after admission. In certain cases, nonnative English-speaking TAs will need to complete supplemental language coursework to maintain eligibility. Please check this scoring chart for information on acceptable exams and scores. Please refer to the Language Proficiency Requirements for Teaching Assistants policy for additional information.

Bryng Bryngelson Research Fund 

This fund is our earliest established fund, named in honor of Dr. Bryng Bryngelson who was a pioneer in communication sciences and disorders, especially in stuttering. Dr. Bryngelson founded the speech clinic at the University of Minnesota in 1927. He also founded the Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association and received the Honors of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 1963. The fund supports student research projects, including professional travel to present research. Students may submit requests for these funds once enrolled in a graduate program. 

Charles E. Speaks Fellowship Fund

Dr. Charles E. Speaks left the department in 2005 after 38 years of leadership. Professor Speaks was Department Chair for 22 years, received the Honors of the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 2003, and holds the University of Minnesota Horace T. Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professorship. All applicants are automatically considered for this fellowship based on their standard applications materials. You do not need to submit extra materials or request the fellowship to be eligible. Award size varies from year to year.

Leslie E. Glaze Fellowship

This fellowship supports full-time students in our PhD program and honors the many contributions of Dr. Leslie E. Glaze. who left her role as Director of Clinical Programs in the department in 2004. Dr. Glaze is a leader in the profession, having served as the president of the Minnesota Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She became an ASHA Fellow in 2005. All applicants are automatically considered for this fellowship based on their standard applications materials. You do not need to submit extra materials or request the fellowship to be eligible. Award size varies from year to year.

Mildred Templin Fellowship

This award honors the outstanding career of Dr. Mildred Templin, who retired from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Child Development in 1976. She was a Fellow in the American Psychological Association, the American Speech and Hearing Association, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. All applicants are automatically considered for this fellowship based on their standard applications materials. You do not need to submit extra materials or request the fellowship to be eligible. Award size varies from year to year.

Minnesota Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (MNLEND)

The Minnesota Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (MNLEND) Program develops the next generation of knowledgeable, interdisciplinary leaders in the neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDD) field. To find more information and apply, please visit the MNLEND page.

Other Opportunities

There is a range of other fellowship and scholarship opportunities available for graduate students.The Graduate School is a great resource for funding opportunities. Visit the graduate school's funding page to learn about the scholarships/grants, research and teaching assistantships, and other opportunities they offer.