Freshwater and Marine Sciences Graduate Program Handbook-Funding and Financial Information

• Overview: Funding Landscape
• Finding Funding
• Tuition Remission and Payment of Segregated Fees
• Health Insurance Benefits
• Funding for Study Abroad
• Loans

Overview: Funding Landscape

There is a long tradition and expectation that students in the FMS program will be supported throughout their graduate studies. This may be achieved by appointments as teaching assistants (typically in the advisor’s home department), research assistants, traineeships, or through competitive fellowships from federal or internal sources. In rare cases, students may serve as project assistants. The high rate of student support has largely been possible because of the strength of FMS faculty and their ability to obtain research support, usually from state and federal agencies. Research funding can be ephemeral, however. If RA funding is threatened, FMS faculty will pursue all possible options to ensure continued support.

Graduate assistants are paid on a biweekly basis and stipends are usually deposited directly into student’s bank accounts. If you have questions or problems related to your pay, see the payroll administrator in your advisor’s home department for assistance.

FMS students can apply for summer research support through the Anna Grant Birge competition administered through the Center for Limnology, as well as other small grant opportunities that may be administered through an advisor’s department. For example, students mentored by faculty in Integrative Biology are eligible for travel and research awards offered through this department.

Finding Funding

If you are looking for other sources of funding to support your graduate studies, the Graduate School provides general information about funding opportunities at, and additional information may be available from the campus financial aid office. https://grad.wisc.edu/funding/ https://financialaid.wisc.edu/

To hold a teaching assistant appointment, you must enroll in classes. If you do not have to maintain full time status, minimum enrollment for TAs is 2 credits (3 credits for dissertators) during the fall and spring semesters. If you are full time due to loan deferment or immigration status, etc. non-dissertator TAs with at least 33.33% must be enrolled for 6 credits, or those who hold an appointment of at least 50% must be enrolled for 4 credits. Dissertator TAs are considered full-time with 3 credits directly related to their dissertation. Maximum enrollment for PAs and TAs is 15 credits during the fall and spring semesters. All courses graduate students enroll must be 300-level or above and graded. For comprehensive information please see https://grad.wisc.edu/documents/enrollment-requirements/

A contract between the state and the Teaching Assistant's Association covering TAs and PAs is no longer in force; however, the university is continuing to use the terms of the contract until final university policies are adopted. Since the TAA no longer represents TAs and PAs, sections of the contract referring to “union” rights and responsibilities are no longer in effect. TAs and PAs can find policies in the contract related to: grievance procedures; appointments; orientation, training, and evaluation; non-discrimination; termination; health and safety; and benefits, including sick leave, vacation, and leave of absence. http://taa-madison.org/

Tuition Remission and Payment of Segregated Fees

TAs, PAs, RA, and Lecturers (Students Assistants) with appointments of 33.3% or higher (approximately 13 hrs/week) receive remission of their full tuition (in- and out-of-state, as applicable). Students with these appointments are still responsible for paying segregated fees. The term Segregated University Fee(s) describes charges in addition to instructional fees assessed to all students for services, programs and facilities that support the primary mission of the university. Segregated fee information can be found at https://bursar.wisc.edu/tuition-and-fees

Health Insurance Benefits

TAs, PAs, RAs, and Lecturers (Student Assistants) with appointments of 33.3% or higher (approximately 13 hrs/week) for at least the length of a semester are eligible to enroll in a health insurance program. Information about health insurance options can be found at ohr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-emp/grad.aspx. Current monthly premiums can be found at https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/premiums/. Questions about health insurance and other benefits should be directed to the payroll and benefits specialist in your advisor’s department.

Funding for Study Abroad

The Institute for Regional and International Studies provides information about opportunities for international research, grants, scholarships and other funding.

Loans

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) (finaid.wisc.edu/graduate-students.htm) assists graduate students whose personal and family resources are not adequate to cover the expenses involved in attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The office also provides counseling to help students manage their money effectively, information on other potential sources of financial assistance (such as employment), debt management counseling, and small short-term loans for emergency situations.