GSE Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantship awards are made in recognition of academic achievement, special competencies, and/or academic potential. They provide opportunities for academic and professional development for doctoral students. There are two types of assistantships:

• Research Graduate Assistantships support research, service, or professional efforts. Students must be available during regular business hours; however, they may involve off-site or service activities.
• Administrative Graduate Assistantships support programs administratively. Students must be available during regular business hours.

Students who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship must have a valid FAFSA on file for the academic school year for which they are applying and meet both merit and financial need requirements. Assistantship awards provide tuition remission for one course per semester for students enrolled in a doctoral program. Tuition remission for one course requires 100 hours per semester (approximately 6.5 hours of assistance per week for 15 weeks). 

Important Note: Graduate assistantships are not guaranteed as they are based on GSE administrative needs and funding availability. 

To be eligible for a graduate assistantship, students must:

• demonstrate financial need by completing a FAFSA;
• be enrolled in a minimum of 9 to 12 credits for the fall/spring semesters, and 12 credits for the summer semester in doctoral degree program within the Graduate School of Education; and 
• meet the minimum GPA requirements: 3.5 undergraduate GPA and 3.75 graduate GPA.
• Fordham University’s Federal School Code is #002722.

Important Note: International students may apply for graduate assistantships if the GPA requirement is met.

New students must apply for graduate assistantships during the admissions application process.*

• When completing the online admissions application, check "yes" on the financial aid supplemental form to be considered for a graduate assistantship.
• GSE aid applications will be reviewed once a student has officially been notified by the Admissions Office of their acceptance into a degree program.
• New students should file the FAFSA upon submitting an application for admission to ensure a student's financial aid application is reviewed promptly.
• Award eligibility is based on a student's final cumulative degree program GPA and demonstration of financial need as evidenced via FAFSA.
• Decisions will be made once a student's FAFSA has been verified to determine eligibility.

There is no financial aid application deadline for new students; however, awards are issued based on the availability of funds. 

*If you have already submitted your online admissions application, contact Anisa Torres-Sanchez at [email protected].

• Continuing students must apply by the January 30 deadline for graduate assistantships (for the following academic year) via the www.fordham.edu portal. Late applications will not be accepted.
• Click on the “Student Tab” via the www.fordham.edu portal and choose the GSE Financial Aid link under "My Accounts" to submit an online application.
• Continuing students will have a chance to reapply for a graduate assistantship for the following academic year when the student is enrolling in coursework to complete their degree program.
• Continuing students will be notified by the GSE Financial Aid Office by the end of the fall semester regarding when applications will become available for the next academic year; this will include summer, fall, and spring semester awards.
• Graduate assistantship decisions will be made by mid-April for summer awards, and by mid-June for fall/spring awards.