Graduate & professional aid types

Graduate and Funding Information System (GFIS) is a joint project of the Graduate School and the UW Libraries to assist in the search for general research funding. Information is also available on the ground floor of Suzzallo Library, near the reference desk.

Grants are a form of need-based aid which does not need to be repaid. They can come from federal, state, or institutional funds.

The University of Washington offers a full range of grant opportunities for students who qualify. Although grant assistance is not the largest source of funds available, it is important to complete the FAFSA application in case you could be eligible for the programs below. Some key grants that students should be aware of include:

• Tuition Exemption and University Grants: These grants are for Washington resident graduate and professional students in state-funded programs. These grants are not available to students in fee-based programs.
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides federal grants for students who teach as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students.
  • If the teaching requirement is not fulfilled, this grant converts to an unsubsidized loan you must repay. If you are in a major that leads directly to an initial teaching certificate and are interested in this program, please visit the Teach Grant site to review the details of this program.

Please remember these are not the only sources of grant or scholarship assistance available to graduate and professional students at the University of Washington. The Graduate School and your academic department are the primary sources for this type of funding at the UW. Please check with these two sources directly for additional assistance.

If you are attending from another state, be sure and check with your home state regarding the availability of state grants.

Work Study provides an opportunity to help pay for your education by working part time while going to school.

In addition to earning money for school, by participating in Work Study you will also earn skills that are transferable to future career paths

Visit the university’s Work Study website to learn more about this program and find an eligible on-campus position

Student Loans are a financial obligation that must be repaid.

Prior to accepting any student loans, it is important to pay careful attention to the terms and conditions, and you should never borrow more than you can comfortably repay after leaving school.

To learn more about common loan types and characteristics, visit our student loans overview page.

The Childcare Assistance Program is designed to assist UW Seattle students in covering the costs of licensed childcare for their children while enrolled in an eligible program of study.

To apply for Childcare Assistance, please visit the Childcare Assistance page.

For students at the Bothell or Tacoma campuses, information regarding Childcare Assistance is available on each campuses website:

• Bothell students: visit UW Bothell’s Parenting Student Resource Program website
• Tacoma Students: visit the Childcare & Family Support Services website or contact uwtcfss@uw.edu for more information

Current and former service members and their dependents are eligible for a range of education benefits to support their academic pursuits.

For support with navigating these benefits and resources, contact the Veteran Education Benefits Office.

In addition to University of Washington resources, there are a number of community resources available to help students. A list of some commonly used resources are available on our Other Assistance page