Graduate Student Financial Aid Options

• Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)

The TPEG program provides limited state funds for graduate students with exceptional financial need. To qualify for consideration, students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester. Annual award amounts range from $400 to $1,000 and are based on the availability of funds.  

• Education Affordability Grant (Ed Aff)

UT Tyler provides limited, need-based grant funding of up to $3,000 per semester to graduate students. To qualify for consideration, graduate students must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours at UT Tyler.

• Federal Stafford Loans (Subsidized)

Stafford Subsidized loans are awarded based on financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office. For graduate students, they require a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester at UT Tyler. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8%. The government pays interest that accrues on Federal Stafford Loans while the student borrower is in school on a half-time basis. Repayment begins 6 months after the borrower ceases half-time enrollment. Once repayment begins, the student pays the interest and principle. Entrance Loan Counseling is required prior to receiving your first loan disbursement. Exit Loan Counseling is required when a student borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The annual maximum for graduate students who have been accepted into a graduate program is $8,500. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for funding. These loans are paid in two installments, less the origination fee. All loan funding will be through the Federal Direct Loan Program.

• Federal Stafford Loans (Unsubsidized)

Stafford Unsubsidized Loans follow the same basic rules as Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans, with these few exceptions:

1. The student borrower is responsible for all interest accumulated on the loan from the time of disbursement until it is paid in full, and
2. The annual maximum amount for Unsubsidized Loans for graduate students are $12,000.

Go to http://www.uttyler.edu/financialaid/loans.htm for more information on Direct Loans

External links for additional information on the Direct Loan Program :

• U.S. Department of Education Direct Loan website
• Direct Loan Servicing Online website
• Direct Loan Consolidation website

Graduate Student Fellowship Options

• New Graduate Fellowship

           Award Amount: up to $1,000 per year

Student's who meeet the criteria below will be considered for a New Graduate Fellowship.

           Fellowship funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Student's must apply on-line at : NEW GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION
• Fellowship application is required and must be submitted by May 1st.

To qualify, students must:

• Be accepted for admission for graduate studies at UT Tyler by May 1st
• Be accepted to a graduate program by May 1st
• Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25
• Enroll for a minimum of 9 credit hours each semester (Fall and Spring) at UT Tyler




Students may not receive more than one academic scholarship/fellowship award from the University each semester.  However, students may receive separate talent awards and may use external awards (e.g. Rotary Club award). Students receiving the New Graduate Fellowship are not eligible for additional scholarship funding for the summer semesters.

Tuition Waivers for Graduate Students

Requests for waivers of tuition and/or certain fees must be completed prior to the census date each semester. Click Here for more information.

• Competitive Scholarship Waiver

Nonresident or foreign students receiving a competitive scholarships of at least $1,000 (or a combination of scholarships totalling at least $1,000). Students must have competed with other students, including Texas residents, for the award. The student may receive a waiver of nonresident tuition for the period of time covered by the scholarship, not to exceed 12 months. Waivers may be received in any year in which the student meets the competitive scholarship requirements.

• Research Assistants and Teaching Assistants Waiver

To permit an individual employed at least half time by a public institution of higher education as a research or teaching assistant, and his/her spouse and children, to enroll in public institutions in Texas while paying the resident tuition rate.