Prepare for Funding - College of Engineering - Purdue University

Get to Know Funding Options

Graduate students typically receive funding through assistantships or fellowships, each with distinct benefits.

Graduate Assistantships

• Research Assistantships (RA): These positions are tied to faculty research projects and are funded by grants from government agencies, corporations, or nonprofits. As an RA, students engage deeply in research, often directly related to their academic interests. RAs typically earn both a salary and free tuition, while gaining valuable research experience for future careers.
• Teaching Assistantships (TA): TAs support instructional activities such as leading discussion sections, grading, and providing office hours. In addition to a salary and tuition coverage, TAs develop teaching and leadership skills that can be vital if considering a career in academia.
• Administrative Professional/Graduate Assistantships (AP/GA): These roles involve supporting university operations, such as program coordination or student services. They typically offer pay and benefits similar to RAs and TAs. Some AP/GA positions may require separate applications and can be sought out after arrival on campus.

Assistantships require part-time work—generally “half-time” (20 hours/week) or “quarter-time” (10 hours/week)—and may be awarded for a semester, academic year, or full calendar year. Assistantships commonly come with expectations around work performance, duration, and opportunities for renewal.

Your Action Now:

Understand the process for securing a graduate assistantship in the programs you are applying to. While you will be considered for some funding automatically as part of the admission process, some positions may have an additional application. This may be especially true for TA positions outside your main department. For example, if you are a Mechanical Engineering student looking to TA in Mathematics or an Electrical and Computer Engineering student looking to TA in Languages & Cultures, investigate the process for how those other departments hire their TAs.

Read websites and program information carefully. It is okay to email the graduate office if you have questions, but make sure you have done your homework first. Never email to ask a question that is already answered on their website.

Read about faculty who are doing work in your area of interest. Look up recent journal articles they have published. Reach out to faculty whose research aligns with your interests. Email should be concise, professional, and research-focused; include your resume for context. Also mention potential mentors in your application essays and explain how your interests align with their work.

Fellowships

Prestigious and competitive, fellowships may be internal or external. Requirements and benefits vary widely. The most prestigious fellowships, sometimes called “full fellowships,” will provide stipends, tuition coverage, health insurance, and other benefits. 

• Internal Fellowships: Awarded by the university or department, such as the Ross, Andrews, Lynn, and Charles C. Chappelle Fellowships awarded at Purdue. Some internal fellowships, like the Chappelle, require a separate application. Most you are considered automatically when faculty who are reviewing your admission application nominate you for an internal fellowship.
• External Fellowships: Funded by national agencies (like NSF), professional organizations, or nonprofits. The NSF GRFP, NDSEG, and awards for international students (EducationUSA) are prime examples. These fellowships often cover tuition, stipends, health insurance, and additional benefits. Some may have work, research, or travel components.

Your Action Now

Application deadlines for major external fellowships are typically in the fall, so you should prepare your fellowship applications at the same time that you are preparing your graduate school applications. NDSEG is open now. As of the posting of this article, NSF has not released the current solicitation, but check the NSF GRFP website for updates.

Search for additional fellowship opportunities. You can start with this database compile by the Purdue Graduate Engineering team: Search for Graduate Engineering Fellowship and Scholarships.

Next Steps

Take two minutes to register now for these TWO upcoming opportunities. Then mark your calendar and plan to attend!

>> Free! Purdue Engineering Virtual Graduate Showcase September 28-29, 2025 Free and online! Your one-stop event to connect with faculty and program administrators to learn about the graduate engineering majors at Purdue. You also have the opportunity to receive an application fee waiver to apply to Purdue for free. à Learn more & register.

>> Free! Webinar on Funding for Graduate School September 17, 2025 6:00 pm EDT. Hosted by Purdue University College of Engineering.  à Learn more & register.