University of South Florida

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT

There are a number of sources for graduate support in the Department of Geography. These sources, and the funding procedures are reviewed in the following section.

Graduate Assistants

The department awards graduate assistantships annually. Students are usually given a two year contract as a graduate assistant. If a student would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship, he or she should complete the Graduate Assistantship Application and send it to the Graduate Director early in the semester prior to the semester for consideration. Graduate assistantships are awarded based upon grade point average, GRE scores, and original application materials.

Graduate assistants are under the direct supervision of the Chair of the Department and the Graduate Director who assign the specific duties to the students. Typically students are required to supervise labs, grade exams, assist with audio-visual equipment, and teach specific lectures in courses. Students may be assigned to assist particular faculty. When this occurs, the faculty member is the direct supervisor of the graduate assistant. On occasion, students are given the responsibility for individual courses.

Project Assistants

Project assistants are students who are hired to assist faculty with grant-funded projects. Usually one or two students per semester are hired by individual faculty to complete computer analysis, map drafting, field work, or laboratory analysis. Students may be hired on salary or on an hourly basis. The rate of pay varies from project to project. Students are selected by individual faculty based upon the skills needed for individual projects.

Other Financial Support

On occasion, graduate students in the department are hired by other units on campus. In the past, these units have been The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), the United States Geological Survey, and the Florida Center for Community Design and Research (FCCDR). Students may submit applications for employment at these offices. In addition, part-time and full-time jobs that become known to the department are posted on the bulletin board outside of the department office (NES 201).

Fellowships

Fellowships are funds received by the student for which no work is required. USF's Graduate Fellowship is awarded annually, on a competitive basis, to full-time students of outstanding academic potential. Recipients receive $7,000 for the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters) and a partial tuition waiver.

For specific information and an application, students are advised to contact the Graduate School at (813) 974-2846, or check the Graduate School web page at www.grad.usf.edu.

Scholarships, Grants, Work Study, and Loans

The Graduate School houses a Scholarship Library that allows students to access information on private sources of funding through computerized databases as well as source books.

The Office of Financial Aid administers the Federal Work Study Program as well as several loan programs. Students interested in loans or work study should apply as soon as possible after January 1 each year for the coming academic year, which starts in August. Application packets are available outside the Office of Financial Aid (SVC 1102) or by calling (813) 974-4700.