University of Texas at Austin

Financial Aid

All applicants to the CSEM Doctoral program are considered for financial aid as part of the admissions review process. Applicants are not required to submit a separate application for financial aid. The CSEM Program is unable to provide financial support for Master’s students.

The majority of applicants admitted to the CSEM Doctoral program receive funding from one or more of the following sources.

CSEM Fellowship

A $5 million endowment supports the CSEM Graduate Fellowship Fund for U.S. citizens. The CSEM Fellowship provides an annual stipend of $40,000 for a maximum four-year period. For the first year, a CSEM Fellow receives a $40,000 stipend directly from the CSEM Fellowship Fund, which allows the student to focus on the academic program. For each of the following three years, the $40,000 stipend comes from a combination of a CSEM Fellowship stipend and other institutional funds, such as a Graduate Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship. In addition, CSEM Fellows receive support for tuition and fees and an allocation for health insurance for each year of the fellowship. The continuation of CSEM Fellowship support throughout this four-year period is contingent upon maintaining good academic standing.

NIMS Fellowship

The National Initiative for Modeling and Simulation (NIMS) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (established in 2011) provides fellowships for highly qualified U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students. The NIMS Fellowship provides an annual stipend of $38,000 for a maximum four-year period. For the first year, a NIMS Fellow receives a $38,000 stipend directly from the NIMS Fellowship Fund, which allows the student to focus on the academic program. For each of the following three years, the $38,000 stipend comes from a combination of a NIMS Fellowship stipend and other institutional funds, such as a Graduate Research Assistantship or Teaching Assistantship. A unique feature of the program is the requirement that each recipient serve as a Teaching Assistant for one semester. NIMS Fellows also receive support for tuition and fees and an allocation for health insurance for each year of the fellowship. The continuation of the NIMS Fellowship throughout this four-year period is contingent upon maintaining good academic standing.

Graduate School Fellowships

The University of Texas at Austin Graduate School allocates funding to the CSEM Program for recruitment fellowships for incoming students and continuing fellowships for current students. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible for these awards and candidates are selected by the CSEM Admissions & Fellowships Committee. These fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis and may range from full support to supplementary stipends.

The Graduate School also has university-wide fellowship competitions for which the CSEM Program may nominate incoming and continuing students. These include the Harrington Recruitment Fellowships, Graduate Advancement Fellowships, McNair Scholars Fellowships, South Texas Graduate Fellowships, West Texas Graduate Fellowships, Dissertation Writing Fellowships, Summer Only Fellowships, and Continuing Fellowships. For full information, see Graduate School Fellowships.

Dean's Prestigious Fellowship Supplement

The Dean's Prestigious Fellowship Supplement awards are for students who will hold large (typically $15,000 or more), competitive, prestigious external fellowships that recognize the student's academic achievements. The award is $1,000 and may entitle the student to pay resident tuition rates during the coming academic year. Nominations for this award are made by the Graduate Advisor.

Supplemental Fellowships for External Fellowship Holders

Students who will hold large (typically $15,000 or more), competitive prestigious external fellowships may also be eligible to receive a supplemental fellowship from the CSEM Program to cover the cost of the Student Health Insurance if not provided by the external fellowship. Students receiving an external fellowship should contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information.

Graduate Research Assistantships

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) are available to CSEM students through faculty research grants. Positions can range from 10 to 20 hours per week and normally provide coverage of tuition and fees. The Oden Institute minimum GRA salary rate for CSEM students for the 2023-24 academic year (09/01/23 – 08/31/24) is $34,000 ($2,833/month). For salary rates for student academic titles established by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost see Student Employee Compensation.

Teaching Assistantships

The CSEM Program has a limited number of Teaching Assistantships available for advanced students. Additionally, CSEM students may obtain Teaching Assistantships through associated UT departments. Appointments can range from 10 to 20 hours per week and include tuition assistance. For salary rates for student academic titles established by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost see Student Employee Compensation.