Ways to Give
Fellowships are essential to attracting the most promising graduate students to the University of Washington. These students teach undergraduate students, lead their own research and advance their fields of study. Through this work they help the University maintain its competitive edge and exceptional reputation worldwide.
Graduate students often choose to enroll in a particular graduate program based largely on the financial package the university offers.
Similar to a scholarship, a fellowship is awarded most often based on a student’s merit, or combination of merit and need. The amount varies depending on the funding source, which could be a yearly gift from a private donor, an endowment established by a single donor or group of donors, or a government program such as the National Science Foundation. Some fellowships can be used only at certain institutions, while others, such as NSF fellowships, can be used wherever the awardee is accepted and enrolls.
While the award amount of fellowships varies widely, at a minimum they usually include enough money to provide a monthly living stipend, benefits and tuition coverage — the equivalent to what a teaching assistant or research assistant would earn. Some fellowships provide enough money to cover a student’s research costs, which may include travel for data collection, a stipend for a research assistant or lab fees.
Top-Off Fellowships
UW donors often will donate to “top-off” fellowships that provide extra money and are essential in recruitment. These combined fellowship packages supplement teaching and research assistant salaries and help the University compete with other institutions for the students with the highest potential.
For a graduate student, a fellowship can mean the difference between focusing exclusively on teaching, research and learning, or having to balance academic endeavors with part-time jobs to pay the rent. Fellowships enable students to complete their studies and graduate more quickly.
You can make a difference by donating to an existing fellowship at the University of Washington, or even creating your own.