Graduate Financial Aid

Steig Olson Scholarship

All MA and PhD applicants are automatically considered for a Steig Olson Scholarship, a named scholarship in honor of Steig Olson, Class of 1948. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate financial need. Amounts given vary by year.

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.
View Presidential and Schomburg Fellowship Details

Teaching Assistantships

MFA

All incoming MFA’s are eligible to apply for a Teaching Assistantship. The award of an assistantship will guarantee a tuition waiver and stipend for three years. TA’s will teach non-major technique courses, provide research and/or teaching assistance, and fulfill other appropriate departmental duties.

Required Teaching Assistantship application materials must be submitted with the program application by the published due date. Teaching auditions for selected applicants will be individually scheduled.

Additional Fellowship Opportunities:

  • Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program: To be eligible for a Schomburg Fellowship, candidates must contribute to the diversity of the student body, and can demonstrate that they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to receive Schomburg Fellowships.

Research and Travel Funding

In addition to other forms of support, PhD students are eligible to apply for departmental travel funds for research and conference travel. Students must submit a proposal and preliminary budget to the Director of Graduate Studies.

University Funding Opportunities

In addition to departmental support, graduate student may be considered for the following University Fellowships and Scholarships:

  • Presidential Fellowships
  • Deans Scholarships and Fellowships
  • Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowships
  • The Morris Arts Scholarships
  • Robert and Carol Morris Dissertation Fellowships
  • Graduate Educational Opportunity Program

More information on scholarships, tuition and financial aid at UB:

College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Awards and Fellowships

Every year, several awards are made available to graduate students within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students who apply for and receive an assistantship remain eligible for these awards.

UB Office of Fellowships and Scholarships

Fellowships and scholarships are among the most valuable forms of aid you can receive and are designed to support students who have exceptional academic records and potential, or demonstrate need.

UB Office of Financial Aid

Experience shows that students and families who take the time to understand their options benefit by receiving the maximum amount of eligible aid. The UB Financial Aid team is ready and willing to provide assistance as you navigate this process. 

The Office of Student Accounts

The Office of Student Accounts provides up-to-date information on tuition and fees by semester. You can also receive walk-in assistance Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30am, at the Student Response Center, 1 Capen, North Campus.

Zoom image: Photo by Ken Smith. Dance student against black background.

Photo by Ken Smith.