|
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes primarily from four sources: the University, grants and contracts held by SoMAS Principal Investigators, traineeships, and fellowships. Except for some fellowships, students must be registered as full-time students to receive support. UNIVERSITY SUPPORT: TEACHING ASSISTANTS (TAs) AND GRADUATE ASSISTANTS (GAs) University support is of two kinds: Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Graduate Assistantships (GAs). The amount of the award is usually the same, but the duties required may be somewhat different. Assistantships are for regular Fall and Spring semesters when University classes are in session. They do not cover summers. Except in rare instances, Assistantship support from SoMAS is guaranteed for the first year only. SoMAS SUPPORT: RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (RAs) Research grants of SoMAS Faculty most often support students after their first year. Each grant supports the work of a particular Faculty member(s), the Principal Investigator(s), and makes provision for hiring students to carry out parts of the proposed research. RA support can be awarded both during the academic year and over the summer period. All such awards are at the discretion of the PI for the research project. When supported by an RA, a student may be required to do work not directly related to the student's thesis work. In some cases, progress reports or final reports other than the thesis may be required. Requests for RA support should be made directly to a Principal Investigator responsible for a grant or contract. Some students are supported by University or external Fellowships, and all students are encouraged to practice their writing and fund-raising skills by applying to whatever Fellowship opportunities they can. Fellowships are usually competitive; they are awarded based on a student’s research or academic performance, so that winning one is a source of prestige and a good addition to your academic CV. Information about some available Fellowships can be found on the websites of SoMAS and the Graduate School (http://www.grad.sunysb.edu). In addition, SoMAS Faculty and Staff frequently post or circulate by email announcements about Fellowship opportunities. Examples include National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201&org=NSF) and the Long Island Sound Fellowship Program (http://www.longislandsoundstudy.net). The Evan R. Liblit Memorial Fund was established as a scholarship in 1997 to honor a nationally recognized professional, innovator and teacher in the field of recycling and waste management. Evan Liblit was known for his significant contributions at the Federal, State and local governmental levels, especially his efforts to establish recycling as an integral part of solid waste management in New York State. In an effort to recognize his work and his inspiration to others, the Evan R. Liblit Scholarship was created to support graduate students working in the field of waste management and/or marine, terrestrial or atmospheric pollution. Qualifications pertaining to Liblit Scholarship recipient:
The 2006 Liblit scholarship award will be for $2,500 for one academic year, distributed in two equal payments. As in past years, travel and lodging will be provided for the recipient to attend the Solid Waste and Recycling Conference in Lake George, NY in May. Initiated in 2006, the J.R. Schubel Graduate Fellowship Program provides an annual stipend supplement for SoMAS graduate students committed to translating science into forms that are accessible to the public and/or inform public policy. The Fellows will serve as “ambassadors” for SoMAS in its mission to employ scientific research to address environmental problems that confront society. Applicants should demonstrate exceptional academic achievement as well as strong interest in environmental issues, and in particular the translation of research findings into improved environmental stewardship and public awareness. The program supports a maximum of six (6) fellows at any one time. Approximately two new fellows are named each year. This fellowship is available to both matriculated SoMAS graduate students and new, incoming graduate students. Only students who are receiving full financial support from other sources are eligible for this supplemental award. The Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis. In order of priority, the primary qualifications are: 1) an outstanding record of academic achievement; and 2) evidence of a firm commitment and proposed plan to fulfill the goals of the Fellowship. Existing students must submit a brief application consisting of a C.V., an essay, and have their Advisor submit a letter of recommendation. For incoming students, the Admissions Committee will nominate a small number of the top applicants and invite them to apply by fulfilling only the essay requirement: they do not need an Advisor’s recommendation until the second year of the Fellowship. The selection committee will review each applicant’s graduate program and/or admissions file as appropriate. Applications may be picked up from the Graduate Program Office. The fellowship award is $4,000 annually. The period of the fellowship will be September 1 to August 31. Fellowships are renewable annually for a total period of two years for M.S. students (total $8,000) and three years for PhD students (total $12,000). Fellowships will be renewed contingent upon the Fellow 1) maintaining academic “good standing” and progress toward degree completion as a SoMAS graduate student; 2) involvement in activities consistent with the goals of the Fellowship (see below) 3) the recommendation of the student’s advisor; and 4) continued full-time 12-month stipend support from a grant or other sources at least equal to the average for SoMAS students at the same graduate level. A special feature included in the Schubel Fellowship is the opportunity to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California where Fellows will meet Dr. Schubel and learn first-hand about his approach to translating science research into useful information that informs and engages the public. Up to $1,500 will be available to cover travel costs for each Fellowship recipient. While Dean and Director of MSRC for twenty years, J.R. Schubel was deeply committed to putting the results of scientific research to work in support of societal needs. Named in Dr. Schubel’s honor, this fellowship program signifies that SoMAS shares this commitment and that applying the results of scientific research to the resolution of societal problems affecting to the environment is an essential part of the SoMAS institutional mission. Schubel fellows are expected to participate actively and creatively in activities, events, and programs that support this aspect of the SoMAS mission. Examples include, but are not limited to: becoming engaged in the translation of science into policy, especially as pertains to their own thesis research; communicating Center research and other programs to the public or specific audiences (e.g., creating press releases, Op Ed articles, or other written/video materials for the SoMAS webpage and/or other media); participation in workshops and forums related to environmental issues and/or policy; and attending environmental festivals, fairs and similar venues in which the Center is involved. Your graduate education is your responsibility. Most people find graduate school to be more demanding than a full-time (40 hour per week) job. You will find that breaks between semesters are often your best opportunity to be focused on getting work done in the lab. Long absences, even between semesters or during the summer, should be discussed with your Counselor or Advisor as far in advance as possible. An Assistantship, whether a GA, TA or RA, requires performance of services. The Graduate School has decreed that no Assistantship may require more than 20 hours per week. A full Assistantship carries a responsibility to work 20 hours per week on the assignment, with the hours for partial assistantships reduced accordingly. The work you must do for your courses and for your thesis research will be in addition to your GA/TA/RA commitment. Graduate students occasionally seek employment outside of SoMAS or the University. Graduate School policies govern on-campus employment, and state that only full-time students may have RA/TA/GA support and that no one can have more than one full-time Assistantship. Fellowships may carry special restrictions on other employment. For example, Turner Fellows must obtain approval of the Associate Dean in order to accept other employment, and NSF generally does not want its Fellows working another job. All international students are governed by Immigration regulations which limit total employment by an F-1 student to no more than 20 hours per week when classes are in session. If you wish to seek any employment, whether on- or off-campus, you should discuss this with your Counselor or Advisor before doing so, AND you should consult with Assistant Dean Hector Jimenez to make sure your paperwork is adjusted properly. Your outside employment must not interfere with your responsibilities as a GA/TA/RA or as a full-time student. You should recognize that time you spend at another job rather than working on your thesis research is likely to slow your progress toward degree completion. Tuition scholarships usually accompany stipend support; however, in cases where departmental funds are insufficient to provide full tuition scholarships for all students, students are ultimately responsible for paying their own tuition. The system by which tuition is paid is complex, constantly evolving, and not entirely within SoMAS’s control. It is in the best interest of all for students to complete their studies in a timely manner, and for Ph.D. students to advance to candidacy (become G5s) as quickly as possible. In addition, U.S. citizens must become New York State residents during their first semester to minimize their tuition costs. See Carol Dovi for the necessary forms. Students not making appropriate progress towards graduating may loose their tuition scholarships. TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) After students become New York State residents, they must apply to the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) every year (until advancing to G5 status, since G5s are exempted). Forms are available in the Financial Aid Office in the Administration Building. You must notify Carol Dovi when you submit your TAP forms and of any notification of awards you receive. It is important that you apply for TAP even if you do not get an award. All students are expected to continue their independent study and research over the summer. Summer support is almost entirely on research grants. Canvas the Faculty (especially your Counselor or Advisor) for their knowledge of the sort of summer support that is likely to be available. Some jobs may also be available that pay hourly wages. All U.S. citizen students are encouraged to apply for assistance from the Federal Work-Study Program. You must show economic need, but aid is available every semester and over the summer. If you are eligible, this program will provide a large percentage of your stipend. Your Advisor, Counselor, or another Faculty member or the Center can usually provide the remainder. You then work on a project assigned by your Advisor (or whoever provides the balance of your stipend). Please see the Education Programs Office for details, forms, and deadlines. GSO TRAVEL FUND (RESEARCH ACCESS PROGRAM) Graduate students can apply for travel funds from the Research Access Program (RAP), which is supported by the Graduate Student Organization (GSO). Up to $250 will be awarded to students who are presenting a paper, poster, or talk at a conference or meeting (merely attending is not sufficient; you must be a presenter). To be eligible for this funding, you must be a registered graduate student and have paid your activity fees. (You pay dues to the GSO through your activity fee.) For more information, visit the RAP website (http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Clubs/gso/services/). Stony Brook’s chapter of Sigma Xi, a scientific research honor society, sponsors two types of graduate student awards each spring. The Excellence in Research Award provides students with a one-year membership in Sigma Xi. The Travel Award provides up to $250 in travel expenses for students to attend meetings and conferences. Email announcements about these awards are generally sent to students each year, but further information can be obtained by contacting Larry Swanson (lswanson@notes.cc.sunysb.edu). In addition, on a national scale, Sigma Xi awards Grants in Aid of Research (up to $1000) to exceptional students. Information about these grants can be found at the Sigma Xi website (http://www.sigmaxi.org). SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS A Social Security Number is required to receive a stipend and to maintain a savings account or a checking account that pays interest. Foreign Student Services will offer social security interviews to students, faculty and scholars that apply for them. Report to Foreign Student Services at least one week in advance and they will set up an appointment for you. ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION Additional general information about tuition and the financial system of USB can be found in the Graduate Bulletin at http://www.grad.sunysb.edu/academics/bulletin/BULLETIN_HTM.htm (Financial and Residential Information) and on the SBU web pages (http://www.sunysb.edu).
Page last modified on Sunday, September 30, 2007 by George E. Carroll
|