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Financial support — a variety of sources at FSU and outside — plan early!
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Outside fellowships. Scholars funded by competitive and special-intent programs, such as Fulbright, McKnight, Auzene, and also by several foreign governments, find the department a productive environment.
Private funding, savings, sabbaticals, loans. Both fully, and as supplements, a number of students utilize these sources. |
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Departmental Resources
The Departmental Application, with the requested recommendations and transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for departmental evaluations), is necessary for consideration for admission and/or funding. Departmental consideration of Fall (and Summer C) applications will begin with Fellowship considerations January 19; awards are made on a rolling basis up until the April 15 Council of Graduate Schools deadlines.
Teaching Assistantships
Most students who receive financial aid are supported as teaching assistants (TAs); stipends vary by academic standing, teaching skill and assignments. The department's teaching orientation and training programs have been recognized as a strong model. TA duties include both recitation-style instruction, computer assisted recitations, exam proctoring, office hours, grading, and, for advanced TAs, full classroom responsibility, or "solo", teaching. This helps graduate students develop their professional teaching program while still in graduate school, provides a basis for strong recommendations later, and enhances future job opportunities not only directly involving teaching, but the wide range of communications activities. The working-time commitment is 10-12 hours per week. Assistantships include a waiver of tuition and most fees. Health insurance is available, usually with FSU subsidies. Some who begin programs as self-paying or outside-fellowship students demonstrate strong doctoral capability and are awarded TA/RA a subsequent year.
TA stipends depend on the experience and academic standing, as well as the number of months the TA studies and works. Examples of 2008-2009 stipend levels: An academically advanced TA who teaches multivariate calculus and works and studies 12 months receives $20,000. A beginning TA who chooses to work and study only 9 months is paid $13,400. Florida funding appropriations do not allow summer stipends to be guaranteed, but given the same relative funding levels as preceding years, then TA appointments will be prorated for periods more than the 9-month academic year (7/6 or 4/3 of the academic year stipend). Thus, a new 2008-2009 TA with maximum available summer work earns at least $17,867, whereas another wanting work for only half the summer would earn $15,633. TAs in Years 2 and 3 who have progressed to more teaching responsibility earn $19,200 for the year.
There is a university rule about English language competency for those whose official native language is not English. Congratulations to new international TAs who have a score of "26" on Spoken portion of the IB TOEFL — you have already satisfied this requirement and do not need to read further in this paragraph! Most international students demonstrate competency through a spoken English test and auxiliary activities; the current test is called the SPEAK and is similar to the ETS Test of Spoken English. Those who pass it on their first attempt will have satisfied the requirement. However, those who do not pass it on the first attempt are supported to participate in classes with ESL instructors to improve spoken English; they have opportunity to take the test again during the first semester, and if that is not successful, to take a subsequent spoken English class, such as a Pronunciation Workshop. Note that as a result of Florida legislation, there a job classification restriction and hence a reduced stipend until the spoken English requirement is satisfied by some means; each student is individually counseled. The maximum 12-month stipend until the rule is satisfied is $16,000. The FSU International Center has information, programs and workshops and classes focus on the areas of speaking, reading and writing English as well as conversational skills and vocabulary building.
FSU has rules regarding English language competency for teaching assistants whose official native language is not English. Congratulations to new international applicants and TAs who have a score of "26" on Spoken portion of the IB TOEFL — you have already satisfied this requirement and do not need to read further in this paragraph! Most international students demonstrate competency through a spoken English test and auxiliary activities. The current test is called the SPEAK and is similar to the ETS Test of Spoken English and a passing score on this exam is a score of ≥50≤. Those who pass it on their first attempt will have satisfied the requirement. However, those who do not pass it on the first attempt are supported to participate in classes with ESL instructors to improve spoken English and will have the opportunity to take the test again close to the end of the first semester. Students will be required to continue with ESL courses until certified in spoken English. Note that as a result of Florida legislation, there is a job classification restriction and hence a reduced stipend until the spoken English requirement is satisfied. Each student is individually counseled on their progress toward certification. The maximum 12-month stipend until the rule is satisfied is $16,000. The FSU International Center and the Center for Intensive English Studies has information, programs and workshops, and classes focusing on the areas of speaking, reading and writing English as well as conversational skills and vocabulary building. The Mathematics Department's teacher training as well as our teaching assignments include activities that supplement and enhance the ESL courses. We review the progress of each teaching assistant with the ESL instructors and advise students based on their individual needs. The Mathematics Department works closely with each student so that the spoken English standard can be met as soon as possible.
Research Assistantships
RAs work closely with a faculty member, or members, on a research project typically funded by a research grant to the lead investigator. RAs are generally in their second graduate year and beyond. The pay and work terms are similar to teaching assistantships and fellowships; typically these require more hours work per week, but the work may be related to the RAs own graduate research. Tuition waivers are provided and health insurance is available.
Fellowships
FSU Math has a GAANN grant currently supporting 6 students; we hope Department of Education funding levels will allow continuation to provide 3 new GAANN Fellows and fund them at the FSU Cost of Attendance less their FAFSA EFC (Expected Family Contribution) (cap $30,000), plus tuition, fees, and some fringes. The Departmental Applications, which have been submitted by January 31 are used to determine GAANN-eligible competitive applicants. Due to budget uncertainties, 2009 GAANN awards will not be known until Summer; at that time prospective new students who have already accepted TA-ships and who meet GAANN requirements will be invited by the department to submit a supplemental application.
The University Fellowship, for new and continuing Masters and PhD students, with minority consideraton, carries a stipend of $18,000 for one academic year. The Presidential Fellowship, for new doctoral students only, carries a stipend of $23,000 per academic year for the first and fourth years. The student is a departmental TA during the second and third years. Both of these fellowships provide tuition waivers and health insurance. No duties are required except full-time study. The College of Arts and Sciences Fellowships are also awarded through the Graduate School application procedure. Some other fellowships may be available through that source.
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Last modified: 15 June 2009