Graduate Financial Aid
Several fellowships and scholarships are managed by the School of Engineering (for example, the Stroebel and Chaffee Scholarships), the Graduate School and the University (for example, the Self Fellowship). However, the Goldsmith Graduate Research Fellowship and the Goldsmith Graduate Tuition Scholarship are administered by the Aerospace Engineering Department. These scholarships and fellowships are possible due to the generosity of Irene Goldsmith.
Application for AE Graduate Fellowships
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Graduate Research Assistant
Paper Graders
Student Loans
Application for AE Graduate Fellowships
The Goldsmith Graduate Research Fellowship currently grants $13,000 for MS and ME candidates and $15,000 for PhD and DE candidates per year for living expenses. Goldsmith scholars also receive the Goldsmith Graduate Tuition Scholarship, which pays the tuition and fees for up to 9 hours per semester. This support amounts to approximately $4000 per year for in-state students and $10,000 per year for out of state students. Therefore, the total “support package” for a Goldsmith Scholar amounts to between $17,000 and $25,000 per year, depending on residency and degree status. For exceptional students, the Goldsmith scholarships and fellowships are augmented with other scholarships. Send a resume, transcript, and a one-page statement of a proposed plan of study to:
Graduate Fellowship Coordinator
Department of Aerospace Engineering
2120 Learned Hall
The University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
Applications due by: 15 February every year.
Awarded: Between 15 December and 15 June each academic year.
The Self Graduate Fellowship is a four-year award consisting of an annual $23,000 stipend plus full tuition and fees. The deadline for department nominations is January 28, 2005.
The KU Office of Study Abroad provides information on engineering study abroad opportunities and also coordinates the application and credit transfer process.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Through an expanding scholarship program, AIAA awards 30 scholarships annually to undergraduate students and 14 to graduate students in science or engineering programs related to AIAA's aerospace mission.
Graduate Teaching Assistantship
Graduate Teaching Assistantships are available for the following classes for the upcoming school year:
| Fall | Spring |
| AE 245 | AE 430 |
| AE 507 | AE 421 |
| AE 510 | AE 508 |
| AE 545 | AE 572 |
The average stipend for a first year GTA is $6,500 per semester, plus a tuition waiver, which is (approximately) a $5,000 benefit for out of state students taking 9 credit hours a semester. Second year GTAs are paid $500 more per semester. One to two students per year are supported by the Garrison GTA fellowhship.
Before applying for a position for a specific course, speak with the associated professor, listed above, about your qualifications. Then, write a memo to the Chairman (Dr. Ewing) with a list of the courses, in order of YOUR preference, for which you would like to be considered for an assistantship.
Selections will be made by 15 March every year.
Note: GTAs are encouraged to arrange for Graduate Research Assistantships in the 3-month summer period, which typically pay between $3000 (for a 50% appointment) and $6000 (for a 100% appointment). Therefore, a first year GTA with a summer GRA appointment may expect a total yearly pay in the range of $16,000-19,000. The total "package" for an out of state student taking 9 credit hours, then is $21,000-24,000.
Graduate Research Assistantship
Graduate Research Assistants help faculty members conduct both sponsored and unsponsored research. Most GRA positions are funded by faculty conducting research sponsored by agencies outside the University, like NASA, the Department of Defense and aerospace corporations. Some GRA positions are funded with Department funds to establish a basis from which to write proposals for external funding. For a GRA, the University charges tuition at the in-state rate, which is approximately $2,000 per year for a student taking the standard graduate student load of 3 courses per semester. The current range of salaries is $12,000 to $15,000 per year for Masters degree candidates and $15,000 to $20,000 per year for Doctoral degree candidates.
GRA positions are announced and selected individual faculty member as they become available. Watch for announcements in the Events and Announcements section of the homepage.
Paper Graders
The Department hires paper graders as needed to assist instructors grade routine homework, laboratory reports, quizzes and design reports. These opportunities are announced in the spring at the same time that the GTAs positions are announced. Watch for announcements in the Events and Announcements section of the homepage.
top