Funding
Students who are admitted to the PhD program receive five years of financial support throughout the academic year (fall and spring). Financial support is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward a degree in statistics, as judged by the graduate faculty of the School of Statistics. MS students are not guaranteed any financial support.
Policies and Guidelines
Financial support is contingent upon maintaining good standing in the program. Students must carry a full time course load or its equivalent until the course requirements for the student's degree program are fulfilled, unless the requirement is waived by the director of graduate studies. A full time graduate course load is six credits each semester at the 5xxx- or 8xxx-level. Support for assistantships is also contingent on satisfactory job performance.
You are responsible for knowing the policies and guidelines applicable to your appointment as a graduate assistant. Terms and conditions for graduate appointments are described in detail on the graduate assistant employment website, or contact Graduate Student Employment at 612-624-7070.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistants (TAs) are employees of the university who receive pay (stipend) and benefits (tuition and subsidized health insurance). A half-time teaching assistantship provides a full tuition benefit, subsidized health insurance (for the academic year and the following summer), as well as a stipend. A half-time assistantship requires approximately 20 hours of effort per week. TAs work with an instructor to lead discussion sessions, grade homework assignments, prepare solutions, and hold office hours to answer student questions. Please follow this link for more information regarding statistics teaching assistantships or visit the graduate assistant employment website for full benefit details.
Research Assistantships
Research assistantships (RAs) carry the same stipend and benefits as a TA and are funded by granting agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Research assistants are expected to conduct and assist in the research or consulting associated with the funding project. Most research assistantships are awarded to advanced students.
Awards
Additional financial support may be awarded to students in the form of fellowships, scholarships, grants, traineeships, and general awards. Award availability is subject to annual funding and support may be provided based on need, merit, or service, as determined by the funding and/or administering agencies. Support is provided and administered by one of four agencies: departments, colleges, universities, or external organizations.