Financial Support

This office is the primary contact for doctoral students seeking financial aid or with any questions regarding scholarships, fellowships, or other university or departmental awards. In addition to resources available through the Office of Student Financial Services, you should also become familiar with scholarships and fellowships available at the Department, College, and University levels. Applicants should contact the Graduate Coordinator in SZB 306 for detailed information concerning application procedures and deadlines.

University Continuing Fellowship

These awards are made to students who are currently enrolled in a UT-Austin graduate program. Graduate Advisers submit nominations to the Graduate School. Awards are based on major accomplishments since entering Graduate School, a well-defined program of research, strong personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Financial need will be considered. The application deadline is usually in mid-January; check the Office of Graduate Studies’ website for an exact date.

In addition, students nominated for the Continuing Fellowship are automatically considered for the following fellowships:

• University Tuition Fellowships
• David Bruton, Jr. Graduate Fellowship
• Cullen Trust Student Endowment Fellowships
• Hemphill-Gilmore Fellowships
• Houston Endowment President's Excellence Scholarship
• A.D. Hutchison Student Endowment Fellowship
• William S. Livingston Graduate Fellowship

Professional Development Awards

A limited amount of funding is available through the Office of Graduate Studies to provide travel support for graduate students who are presenting at a national conference. Applicants must be nominated by the Department’s Graduate Adviser. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for detailed information about the application process.

College of Education Scholarships & Fellowships

The following scholarships are available through the College of Education. However, applications are submitted to, and reviewed by the Department of Special Education. The application deadline for these scholarships is May 31, except where noted otherwise:

• Alexander Caswell Ellis Fellowship in Education
  This scholarship provides support to graduate students in the College of Education, who intend to serve adult populations, to include such Departments as Special Education. Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a Texas College/University. DEADLINE: May 1.
• Joseph L. Henderson and Katherine D. Henderson Scholarship
  To be considered, applicants must demonstrate financial need, be in good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA and no incompletes.)
• Elisa Costilla Endowed Scholarship in Education
  Provides scholarship support to graduate students in the College of Education who are preparing for careers in special education, who have at least a 3.0 GPA on a scale of 4.0, and who demonstrate financial need. Preference shall be given to students from Laredo, TX.
• Stanley and Ada Belle Fudell Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Special Education
  Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.5 grade point average (GPA) for all graduate coursework. Preference will be given to students with financial need.
• W. N. Kirby Endowed Scholarship for Future Teachers
  Scholarship support to undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education for deserving students seeking initial teacher certification.
• Paul DeWitt Connor and Ruth Patton Connor Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Education
  Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 2.5 or higher grade point average (GPA) for all graduate coursework. Preference among equally qualified candidates are given to (a) students with disabilities who intend to teach students with disabilities, (b) students with disabilities students who intend to teach, and (c) students who intend to teach students with special needs. Financial need may be a consideration.
• F. Riggs Memorial Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Education
  Provides Scholarship support to deserving undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.5 GPA for all coursework.
• M. B. Moran Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Education
  This award recognizes students who exhibit a high degree of commitment to a career in the field of Special Education. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative 3.2 grade point average (GPA) for all graduate coursework.

Departmental Awards

• Student/Faculty Dual Presentation Program
  The purpose of the Student/Faculty Dual Presentation Program is to provide financial support for a graduate student to present, in collaboration with a faculty member, a paper of publishable quality at a national or state conference. Applications are accepted twice a year, at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters respectively. Detailed information regarding application procedures and guidelines are available from the Graduate Coordinator.
• Federally-Funded Personnel Preparation Grant Scholarships
  The Department also offers scholarships available through federally-funded training grants in selected areas of study. These will vary from year to year and students who are interested in being considered for such opportunities should contact the Graduate Coordinator for more information.