II. FINANCIAL AID

A. Stipends For Graduate Assistants and Graduate Fellows
All Neuroscience Program graduate students in good standing are fully supported during their tenure at MSU from one or a combination of sources. Stipends for Neuroscience Program graduate students are considered a subsidy for education, not as payment for employment. An effort is made within the Neuroscience Program to provide equal opportunity and to impose equal requirements on all graduate students. All Neuroscience Program graduate students are required to participate in research, academic course work and teaching as part of their degree requirements. Students are also strongly encouraged to participate in Program activities throughout their graduate training including during Brain Awareness week, recruitment weekend and the NSP graduate student council

In general, Neuroscience Program graduate students receive a graduate assistantship stipend from the Neuroscience Program during their first year or are appointed to a fellowship for two years to the Neuroscience Program Training Grant. In addition, all graduate assistants and fellows receive a full tuition waiver each semester (up to nine credits in Fall and Spring semesters; up to four in summer semester), waiver of matriculation fees, and paid health insurance. The files of exceptional applicants will be forwarded by the Neuroscience Program Director to the Dean of the College of Natural Science, as nominees for a College of Natural Science Doctoral Recruiting Fellowship or a MSU Distinguished Fellowship. Students are also encouraged to apply for extramural funding, including fellowships from the National Institutes of Health and/or National Science Foundation. As of 1987, graduate assistantships are not exempt from U.S. taxation (Tax Reform Act of 1986). Thus, all paperwork required by U.S. law for employment must be completed (including the I-9, State and Federal W-4s, etc.) The stipend checks are disbursed on the fifteenth of each month (unless the 15th falls on a weekend, and then they arrive the Friday before). Students must be enrolled for at least three credits during every semester in order to receive an assistantship or fellowship. This requirement may be reduced to one hour after successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam, but individual circumstances may vary (e.g. requirements of individual fellowships.)

Teaching experience is required of all Neuroscience Program graduate students, whether or not they are supported by a Neuroscience Program graduate assistantship or fellowship. Teaching is considered an essential component of the Neuroscience Graduate Student’s educational experience and training and is an academic requirement for completion of the PhD degree as described on p. 9.

Graduate students who have assistantships and all other graduate students who are enrolled for three or more credits a semester may use University facilities, may obtain discounts on tickets to sporting and cultural events on campus, and are eligible for Michigan State University housing. This requirement is reduced to one credit after successful completion of the Comprehensive Exam.

After the student completes his/her laboratory rotations and decides on a laboratory to pursue his/her doctoral research, the major professor will arrange financial support for the graduate student, which will also include the tuition waiver and health care. For example, the major professor may wish to use funds from his/her research grant to support a Neuroscience Program graduate student or may arrange for internal or external support. In addition, various programs are available within Michigan State University to support or supplement graduate student stipends. For example, teaching assistantships may be recommended after consideration of the program needs and consultation with the student's major professor.

B. Office Of Financial Aid (http://www.finaid.msu.edu)

Recent information on scholarships and other financial aid can be obtained in the Office of Financial Aid (252 Student Services Building) and at the Office of Financial Aid web site http://www.finaid.msu.edu/. Graduate students can use the services of the MSU Credit Union to arrange for a loan. COGS, in conjunction with the Financial Aid Office, allows graduate students to receive interest-free loans of $250 for 60 days. ASMSU/COGS loans provide a $60 maximum for up to four weeks. These loans are available to graduate students who have paid their ASMSU or COGS tax. The ASMSU/COGS loan office is located in 307 Student Services Bldg. A valid MSU student identification card and picture identification must be presented. The “Funding Opportunities For Graduate Students" bulletin is published weekly.