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Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Department of Epidemiology at The University of Iowa has limited financial aid available for students in its programs. The Department of Epidemiology does not guarantee financial offers to admitted students, though applicants who have submitted a complete and verified application by December 1 will receive priority consideration for financial assistance. After the December 1 priority deadline, however, funding opportunities for incoming students significantly decrease as available commitments have likely been made.
Graduate Research Assistantships
The Department of Epidemiology doctoral students largely are successful in finding and obtaining financial support. Most often, PhD students are supported through Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs). GRAs are funded through grant funded research programs overseen by the faculty in the Department of Epidemiology and other departments in the College of Public Health, and somtimes in other colleges across campus including the Carver College of Medicine, the College of Dentistry, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Nursing, the School of Social Work, and others. These positions are generally filled by the faculty overseeing the grant that has available funds budgeted in for student support. Faculty and students work together with HR on these types of appointments directly and most of the time these positions are not advertised centrally from the department. A 25 percent or greater appointment as a graduate research assistant provides a student with a stipend, reduction of tuition to in-state rates in addition to a partial tuition scholarship, and a contribution toward a health insurance policy.
Teaching Assistantships
The Department does have limited Teaching Assistant (TA) opportunities that are advertised to current students each fall and spring, and these appointments carry the same benefits as the graduate research assistantships. In addition, the College of Public Health’s undergraduate courses are often looking to fill TA opportunities. They advertise these positions around the same time as the departmental TA positions are released to students each fall and spring.
Funding for Master’s Students
Incoming master’s students should expect to pursue all forms of funding available for graduate students at the University of Iowa, including graduate student loans, external scholarships, hourly campus positions, their own resources, or other employment options. Students in the MPH-Epi program are also eligible to be considered for an MPH Opportunity Award if their application is complete and received by March 1.
Handshake and Jobs@UIOWA are the best sources for incoming students and current master’s students to find funding opportunities along with intermittent announcements from the department, however students looking to obtain GRA and TA positions, specifically should prioritize cultivating strong relationships with the College of Public Health faculty, growing and expanding their network, and being active members of the department and collegiate community. Doing so will help students become more aware of the opportunities that might be available. There are a limited number of scholarship opportunities for current students in the Graduate College and in the College of Public Health (for MPH students) that may be available to students as well.
For master’s students, it’s important to know that a lot of the skills acquired in the first-year coursework of both the MPH and MS program are often highly desirable for many GRA or TA positions. With this in mind, many students are more successful with obtaining assistantships in their second semester or second year of their graduate program. However, first-year students can find opportunities through Handshake or other resources. First-year master’s students should strongly consider and actively seek out hourly positions if they are unable to find assistantships. An hourly position can give students “a foot in the door” for an opportunity that may lead to an assistantship. Students should take advantage of the hourly and even unpaid research positions to grow their network and make themselves more visible.
For information about student loans, grants, scholarships, or part-time student employment, visit The Office of Student Financial Aid website—or contact the Director of Student Financial Aid, The University of Iowa, 208 Calvin Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1315; telephone (319) 335-1450.
International Students
International students need to be aware that, upon admission to the program, they must provide verification of sufficient resources to sustain themselves for one academic year. The Office of International Students and Scholars manages the process for international student verification of funds. The following sources may have funding information specifically for international student admits:
- Fulbright Program
- General Scholarships:
- Public Health Scholarships (Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health)