Financial Aid and Assistantships
Teaching Assistant Wilder Escobar (2nd row, 4th from the right) and his Spanish 101 class.
PhD Funding Opportunities
- Academic year stipends of $23,000 and a full tuition waiver for all full-time, funded PhD students on 10-month academic teaching assistant, research assistant, or graduate assistant appointments.
- UB’s stipend levels are competitive among public Association of American Universities (AAU) member institutions.
- Additional Fellowship Opportunities:
- Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program: Candidates are required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities. Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility. This scholarship program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria. Students may apply for the Schomburg Fellowship on the UB graduate application for their program.
- Presidential Fellowships: To be eligible for Presidential Fellowships, candidates must meet the criteria listed on the Presidential Fellowship page. Both domestic and international students are eligible, if they meet these criteria. For any questions regarding funding for academic year 2025–2026, contact the director of graduate studies or department chair.
- Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program: Candidates are required to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must demonstrate how they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Candidates must also demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the diversity of the student body by facilitating and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their academic programs and campus activities. Even though financial need is not a requirement for program eligibility, applicants may utilize economic disadvantage as a basis for eligibility. This scholarship program is open to any and all prospective candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, or sex, and is consistent with all current governing federal and state nondiscrimination law. All application submissions will be assessed and evaluated in accordance with the required eligibility criteria. Students may apply for the Schomburg Fellowship on the UB graduate application for their program.
The deadline to apply with consideration for funding is December 15 of every application cycle.
College of Arts and Sciences Awards and Fellowships
To be considered for the Graduate Assistantship and enhanced fellowships, please submit your application no later than December 15. Applicants seeking an academic career in higher/postsecondary education who desire a teaching assistantship and scholarship support should apply for the PhD, even if they do not already hold an MA.
Dissertation Support
For dissertation support, qualified doctoral candidates may also apply for fellowships from the Graduate Student Association, the Humanities Institute and/or the Gender Institute.
Travel Aid
The department supports graduate student travel to present papers or chair sessions at conferences with a stipend of $400 per year. To request travel funding, please contact the department chair.
