Financial aid for graduate students is awarded on the basis of potential for research and teaching in the form of a graduate assistantship. All admitted students are automatically considered for a graduate assistantship. Up to 20 hrs. (.50 FTE) may be awarded for each of the fall and spring semesters.

A graduate assistantship offers three big advantages.

1. A graduate assistantship of at least 10 hours (.25 FTE) includes a waiver for the out-of-state portion of tuition. In other words, incoming students who receive a graduate assistantship pay only the in-state portion of tuition. 
2. A graduate assistantship includes a stipend, paid every two weeks during the academic year.
3. A graduate assistantship offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience collaborating with faculty members, connections that can lead to other opportunities, including research collaborations, letters of recommendations, and other instructional positions.

Graduate assistants in the psychology department are usually teaching assistants. Teaching assistants help instructors teach courses in a variety of ways including leading class, leading discussion groups, assisting with labs, grading student work, or proctoring examinations.