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Graduate Residency Determination Moves to NC State Agency

June 25, 2018 by White, Brian

Beginning Monday, July 2, 2018, residency determinations for graduate students at UNC Charlotte will be centralized at the statewide North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) rather than determined locally on campus. New applicants claiming NC Residency as well as currently enrolled students who wish to apply for in-state residency for tuition purposes will be required to do so through the RDS. The change took place for undergraduate students early last year.

Residency determination affects in-state tuition benefits and state-funded financial aid. The change is part of a statewide effort to centralize and simplify the residency determination process. Under the RDS, students no longer need to apply for residency determination multiple times if they apply to more than one public educational institution.

All inquiries about initial residency determination, reconsideration or appeal should now be directed to the RDS, the sole authority for residency determination. The RDS website also has FAQs that answer many of the questions students may have about the process to apply for NC Residency, as well as details about State residency laws and policies, residency guidelines, and tuition benefits. Contact the RDS at (844) 319-3640 or by email: rdsinfo@ncresidency.org.

Giles Fellowships Awarded to Four Students

May 21, 2018 by White, Brian

Four graduate students received the 2018 Lucille P. and Edward C. Giles Dissertation-Year Graduate Fellowship.

The STEM-focused award went to:

Ravil Bikmetov, Ph.D., Optical Science and Engineering
David Burlinson, Ph.D., Computing and Information Systems
Katlyn Erickson, Ph.D. Nanoscale Science
Daniel Yonto, Ph.D., Geography

More on the Giles winners is on News section of the Graduate School home page.

Mays Takes DoD SMART Scholarship

May 16, 2018 by White, Brian

Joseph Mays, Ph.D. a student in Optical Science and Engineering, recently was awarded the DoD Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship. Mays applied through the Graduate School’s Fellowship Application Incentive Program (FAIP).

Read more about the SMART scholarship award on the Graduate School’s News page.

12 Receive Reynolds Fellowships

May 10, 2018 by White, Brian

The Reynolds Research Fellowship was awarded to 9 doctoral and 3 masters student researchers for projects ranging from the study of infanticide in Victorian-era Britain to a new military helmet designed to repel rifle bullets.

For more on the awards and winning research projects, look for Recent News on the Graduate School site.

Grad Student Takes P.E.O. Scholarship

May 07, 2018 by White, Brian

Mukulika Bose, doctoral student in Biological Sciences, received the 2018 P.E.O. International Scholarship from the P.E.O Sisterhood, an organization focused on helping women around the world participate in graduate study in the U.S. and Canada.

Mukulika participated in the Graduate School’s Fellowship Application Incentive Program, which provides a cash incentive and assistance for students to seek out and apply for financial support.

For more information, please check the news section on the Graduate School’s home page.

2018-19 Graduate Fellowship Recipients Named

April 19, 2018 by White, Brian

The Graduate School has announced recipients of the donor supported fellowships for 2018-19. For a list of winners and other details, please visit the Graduate School’s Funding site.

Female Researchers Sought for Projects in Germany

April 13, 2018 by White, Brian

The not-for-profit Women in Research (WiRe; womeninresearch.org) organization is offering postdoctoral fellowships for female researchers at German Universities.

Based at the Westfälische Wilhelms-University (WWU) Münster/Germany, Women in Research offers support to women researchers on legal issues, Visa questions, insurance and financial aid.

The fellowships focus on female postdocs or professors in STEM-related fields. Fellowships offer up to 2000 € (approximately $2,500) per month for a period of 1-6 months. An additional 500 € ($617) per month is possible to cover child care.

For more information contact Women in Research. You may also download an application form.

Session on Funding Task Force Findings Apr. 20

April 13, 2018 by White, Brian

The Graduate Student Funding Task Force will be presenting their preliminary findings and recommendations Friday, April 20. There will be two separate campus forums, one for graduate students which begins at 11:00 a.m. and one for faculty and staff to follow at 1:00 p.m. Both forums will be held in Rowe Arts, Room 130.

For more information, please visit the Graduate School’s Faculty & Staff Resources site.

Graduate School Hosts Funding Webinar

March 20, 2018 by Stanchina, Karla

Members of the Graduate School’s funding department hosted an online webinar March 1^st, to discuss the array of graduate student funding opportunities and use of the eGA, the Electronic Graduate Assistantship Application portal. Funding Director Julie Goodliffe, and Specialists Tequilla Bennett and Melissa Peterson, walked the over 20 attendees through the online portal, clarifying each step required to hire a teaching or research assistant, and nominate them for funding.

”We understand that most users of eGA use it once or twice per year, which makes it difficult to remember where to find things and how to use each box and button, explains the Graduate School’s Director of Funding Dr. Julie Goodliffe. “Due to periodic enhancements, the system and funding details change year to year, so the screens and information that the user is accustomed to, are often different from the last time they logged in.”

Graduate program directors, business officers, and departmental administrators, benefited by viewing the interactive workshop going through each step of eGA. The system uses a variety of screens to communicate with an integrated audience to ultimately ensure a graduate assistant is paid in a timely manner. With easy “drop-down” menu tabs, and step-by-step processes, eGA users can efficiently get this task done.

The Graduate School continues to add modifications to the current system, and many of the day’s participants suggested ideas. Additionally, the Graduate School will hold these webinars on a quarterly basis so informal feedback can be collected and shared.

For a copy of the recorded webinar, visit GPDNet or contact Julie Goodliffe.

eGA information, along with 2018-2019 funding programs, can be found on the Graduate School’s website, or for specific questions email gradassist@uncc.edu.

Mar. 16 Deadline for Veteran Assistantships

March 05, 2018 by White, Brian

The deadline for nominations for the three competitive Veteran Graduate Assistantships is COB, Friday, Mar. 16. All that is required is an e-mail from the Program Director to Dr. Alan Freitag in the Graduate School (arfreita@uncc.edu) nominating the admitted student. Contact Dr. Freitag for details.

eGA Webinar Set for Mar. 1

February 23, 2018 by White, Brian

The Graduate School’s student funding team will host a webinar Mar. 1 to discuss funding nominations, SEA form submission and to answer questions about the eGA system for creating graduate assistantships.

The webinar will start at 10:30 a.m. Use the link below to join the webinar:

Join WebEx meeting

Meeting number: 646 236 728

Join by phone:

1-415-655-0002 Toll

Access code: 646 236 728

Fall ’18 Grad Student Funding Developments

February 06, 2018 by White, Brian

As the Graduate School engages in the application and student funding process this term, we need to prepare our funding profile for fall 2018. We’re not certain what that profile will look like, but we know it will be driven by two primary factors:

The amount of funds that will be available for graduate student support in the fall; and
Actual fall graduate student enrollment.

Consequently, the Graduate School will stop making continuous awards on April 1 and place new nominations from Program Directors in a “waiting pool.” Then on April 15, the Graduate School will begin making limited awards to those in the “waiting pool” based on funds made available as a result of declined offers. Nominations received after April 15 will move into that “waiting pool.” That’s when available funding will determine distribution of funds.

For GASP funding support, make sure that when you nominate a student for GASP that you are also providing that student with a college/department-funded assistantship. Award of that assistantship is a prerequisite for receiving matching contributions from the Graduate School in the form of tuition support.

For more information on the funding process for fall 2018, visit Student Support on the Graduate School’s Faculty and Staff section.

Nominate A Veteran for an Assistantship

February 01, 2018 by White, Brian

The deadline for nominations for up to three annual Veteran Graduate Assistantships is March 16. All that is required for eligible candidates is that the applicant be accepted into your program and that the Graduate Program Director make the nomination. Email Alan Freitag in the Graduate School with your nominations.

This program reflects the Graduate School’s efforts to recruit exceptionally talented military veterans to our graduate programs. These Veteran Graduate Assistantships provide a graduate assistantship (teaching or research) for two academic years, resident tuition support and health insurance (if needed, based on the candidate’s veteran benefit status), to three newly admitted graduate students (doctoral or master’s).

For more information, visit the Graduate School‘s web site.

To date, eight outstanding veterans have benefited from this program:

LaKeysha Sawyer, Social Work Master’s
Tracy Valero, Health Administration Master’s
Nathan Lambert, Mechanical Engineering Master’s
Magin Day, Health Psychology Ph.D.
Frank Thompson, Counseling Master’s
Tyler Crone, Mathematical Finance Master’s
Taryn Greene, Health Psychology Ph.D.
Charles Williams, Social Work Master’s

Here are details concerning these awards:

Open to military veterans from any branch of service with an Honorable Discharge admitted to any Master’s or Doctoral degree program.
Student must be newly admitted to a graduate program at UNC Charlotte but not yet enrolled (first-year student).
Award begins with the fall semester.
Assistantship is served with the recipient’s home department.
Up to three competitive awards will be made each year.
For doctoral students the funding will be $18,000 for 9 months, and for master’s students $12,000 for 9 months.
Recipients are eligible to receive tuition awards for resident tuition support plus health insurance if needed (the Graduate School and Veteran Services Office will work with each recipient to align the award with VA benefits to ensure the best combination for the student).
Students must register for a minimum of 6 graduate credit hours in each term the assistantship is in effect and maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree to remain eligible.
The assistantship will be in place for two years, after which the department or program of study must provide funding as necessary. A third year for a master’s student may be negotiated if needed to complete the degree. After the second year, doctoral programs are expected to provide continuing support (assistantship or fellowship) to the recipient as long as the student is making satisfactory progress toward the degree (full-time enrollment with a minimum grade point average of 3.00). The Graduate School will commit to continuing resident tuition and health insurance awards for an additional three years.
Graduate Program Director recommends veteran student for award after student has been accepted into the program; Graduate School committee reviews applicants and selects up to three recipients each year

Quick Guide to Graduate School Philanthropic Awards

January 26, 2018 by Stanchina, Karla

The Graduate School Fellowship are currently seeking qualified nominations and applicants. To help faculty, staff and students easily understand the various Award criteria and application procedures, the Graduate School has created a Quick Guide. As a reminder, the deadline to nominate and/or apply directly for the majority of the Awards is March 15, 2018.

For award information and eligibility criteria, please visit the Graduate School’s website or contact Julie Green, Doctoral Student Services and Fellowship Specialist. Note: Three Awards require Graduate Program Director nomination. Download instructions on nominating your graduate students for these lucrative awards.

Graduate School Philanthropic Awards

January 11, 2018 by White, Brian

The Graduate School’s Philanthropic Awards are funded by donors and are intended for outstanding graduate students. These need-based and merit awards recognize excellent students for their academic achievement and provide assistance to those who demonstrate financial need. Students will need to log in to the NinerScholars site at http://scholarships.uncc.edu/ and complete an applicant profile before they can be matched to any awards. For award information and eligibiltiy criteria, please visit https://graduateschool.uncc.edu/funding/graduate-fellowships. For more information, please contact jhgreen@uncc.edu

Deadline to apply – March 15, 2018

Download instructions on nominating your graduate students for these lucrative awards.

Task Force Seeks Funding Ideas

December 20, 2017 by White, Brian

The Graduate Student Funding Task Force recently completed a series of campus forums to solicit information on graduate student support. The Task Force continues to seek input from students, faculty and staff to help shape the future of graduate funding. If you have ideas, issues, challenges, suggestions, and possible solutions for graduate student funding, please forward them by Feb. 1 to FundingTaskforce@uncc.edu.

GASP Nominations Open for Fall Semester

December 12, 2017 by White, Brian

The Graduate School is accepting GASP (Graduate Assistant Support Plan) nominations for new students enrolling fall 2018.

Nominations may be completed via the eGA Nomination Form. More information is available on the Graduate School’s Faculty and Staff Student Funding page.

Contact Dr. Julie Goodliffe, Director of Fellowships and Funding for more information. .

2018 Brings New Summer Fellowship

November 20, 2017 by White, Brian

The Graduate School recently launched a new funding opportunity for doctoral students who pursue their studies over the summer months.

The Graduate School Summer Fellowship (GSSF) Program awards $6,000 ($2,000 per month) paid at the end of May and is available to full-time students with GASP support. Applicants must

Pass their qualifying exam and proposal defense by May 15, 2018
Pre-register for full-time enrollment in the 2018 fall semester.
Hold an eligible graduate assistantship with GASP funding in the 2018 fall semester

The GSSF is designed to replace a TA or other summer job that takes the student away from their research. Recipients are expected to dedicate significant effort to their research project over the summer months and make timely progress to the degree.

To apply, students should submit an abstract about their project, not to exceed 500 words, with a paragraph explaining specific goals for the summer. Also include a timeline for completing the goals and year and semester of anticipated graduation. Please send to Dr. Julie Goodliffe, jmgoodli@uncc.edu, by Mar.1, 2018.

The student’s advisor should send an email to Dr. Goodliffe supporting the application and confirming his/her availability to provide support (direction, advising, supervision, mentoring) over the summer.

Applicants will be informed of the decision on their application no later than Mar. 30, 2018.

For information on these and other financial assistance programs, contact Dr. Julie Goodliffe at jmgoodli@uncc.edu.

Deadlines Loom for Major Grants

November 17, 2017 by White, Brian

Major external fellowships that pay stipends plus full tuition and fees are available, but the deadline to apply is coming soon. A sampling of the opportunities are listed below with deadlines.

UNC Charlotte has a license to use PIVOT, the largest database of grant opportunities in the U.S. that includes local, state, federal, international, and foundation opportunities. For information on these and other financial assistance programs, contact Dr. Julie Goodliffe, at jmgoodli@uncc.edu, .

Department of Defense SMART program for graduate students pursuing a degree in one of 19 STEM disciplines. Pays full tuition and fees, $25-000 – $38,000 stipend (depending on field of study), money for health insurance, summer internships, and job placement after graduation in a DoD facility.

Deadline: Dec. 1.

Symantec Research Labs Graduate Fellowship for PhD students in one of several areas of computer science, unrestricted citizenship. Apply for up to $20,000 for tuition and fees, plus a salaried internship at Symantec.

Deadline: Dec. 1.

Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship for students completing their dissertation in a research-based PhD in almost every field. Apply for a one-year stipend of $25,000 for your final year.

Deadline: Dec. 7

National Institutes of Health Predoctoral Fellowships (F31) Apply for three years of support with a ~$24,000 stipend, and money for tuition and fees. This prestigious award will also show your fundability as a biologist, which is crucial for career success.

Deadline: Dec. 8

Google’s Women Techmakers Scholarship for women in computer science or computer engineering. Apply for a $10,000 scholarship and an invitation to the Google Scholar’s Retreat in Mountain View, California. Unrestricted citizenship.

Deadline: Dec.11

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship for students pursuing a research-based Ph.D. in almost every field. Apply for three years of an annual $24,000 stipend.

Deadline: Dec. 14

American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry Graduate Fellowship Program for graduate students in the field of analytical chemistry. $21,000 fellowships.

Deadline: Dec. 16

National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship for students pursuing a doctorate in one of 15 STEM disciplines. Apply for up to four years full tuition and fees, a generous stipend, and money for medical insurance from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the Army Research Office (ARO), and the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

Deadline: Dec. 31

Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship. Computational science is interdisciplinary by nature, using algorithms, mathematics and computers to analyze and solve scientific and engineering problems. Apply for up to four years of a $36,000 per year stipend plus academic allowance.

Deadline: Jan. 17

Half-time Enrollment Definition Changed

September 20, 2017 by White, Brian

UNC Charlotte’s definition of graduate school half-time enrollment changed effective with the beginning of the Fall 2017 semester. To help you prepare for questions you may receive from students on the change, please review the following information.

New Definition of Half-Time Enrollment Hours

As of Fall 2017, to be considered enrolled half-time, graduate students must take at least 4.5 credit hours, which essentially means 5 or more credit hours for UNC Charlotte. This has increased from the previous half-time definition of 3 credit hours.
The U.S. Department of Education offers low-interest loans to eligible students to help cover educational costs. Financial need is not required for graduate students to be considered for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan or Direct PLUS Loan, but they must enroll at least half-time.
Note: The definition of full-time graduate enrollment has not changed. To be considered full-time, graduate students must enroll in at least 9 credit hours.

How this will affect some students:

Federal Financial Aid Eligibility

To receive financial aid from the university, a graduate student must enroll in a master’s, doctoral or certificate program at least half-time.
The Financial Aid office will review applicants’ enrollment prior to awarding financial aid. If they are enrolled in fewer than 5 credit hours, they will not receive federal loans.
In Spring 2017, there are more than 350 graduate students with a federal loan who are enrolled in fewer than 5 credit hours.

Loan Repayment/Deferment

If a student has federal loans in deferment, encourage them to review the terms and conditions of their repayment to consider whether the new half-time enrollment policy will affect them.
Generally, federal loans begin requiring repayment 6 months from the date enrollment drops below half-time, from the date of graduation, or the date a student withdraws from school.

Options Available to Students

They may enroll in at least 5 hours of graduate credit to be eligible for a federal loan (and defer payments on existing federal loans)
They may enroll in the University’s installment Payment Plan
They may apply for an Alternative Loan with private lenders through the Office of Financial Aid

Students with questions may contact the Office of Financial Aid at 704-687-5504 or email their question. Graduate Program Directors may contact Johnna Watson in the Graduate School by email or at 704-687-7231.