Financing Your Studies

Government and Bank Loans for Graduate Students

The Financial Aid Office has information and application forms for loans available to both undergraduate and graduate students. For graduate students, these include

• Federal Stafford Loans, both subsidized and unsubsidized
• Connecticut Family Education Loan Program Loans (FELP)
• Alternative Loan Programs (Private Bank Loans)

See Financial Aid for specific information on loans and applying for them.

Dr. Thomas A. O'Meara '65, MA '67 Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship has been established by Timothy Sean O'Meara in memory of his bother and in accordance with his brother's wishes. It was Dr. Thomas O'Meara's intent that, over a 20-year period, one graduate secondary English education student annually would be awarded a $500 scholarship during his or her student teaching semester. Dr. O'Meara's sister has recently added to the scholarship to increase the annual total to $750. The recipient will be selected based on recommendations from the program faculty and the award will be applied directly toward tuition for the semester.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded each year to formally admitted students.
(Download Graduate Assistantship Positions List )
(Download Graduate Assistantship Application)

Contact the Dean's office, at (203) 254-4250, if you have questions about the application. Deadlines are May 1 for Fall award and December 1 for Spring award. International students must hold an F-1 Visa to be eligible for an internship and cannot work more than 20 hours per week.

You may also be considered for an assistantship after your admission by contacting the program director.

Other Opportunities For Financing Your Studies

Deferred (Installment) Payment Plan

Students must register in-person and sign a promissory note. All notes are subject to the approval by the Bursar. Two plans are available:

Students taking six or more credits pay one-fourth tuition plus all fees, including a $25 processing fee at the time of registration. The balance is paid in three installments due for the Fall semester on September 30, October 30, and November 30, and for the Spring semester on January 30, February 28, and March 30.

Students taking less than six credits must pay one-half tuition plus fees upon registering. The balance is due for Fall on September 30 and for Spring on January 30. The promissory note must be paid in full prior to registration for following semesters.

Reimbursement by Employer

Students must register in-person and sign a promissory note. All notes are subject to approvl by the Bursar. Students submit a letter, on company letterhead, stating approval of course registration and terms of payment. The promissory note is for the amount of tuition covered by the reimbursement policy. All fees (registration, processing, lab or materials fees) must be paid at time of registration, even if covered by the reimbursement. Outstanding balance must be paid in full prior to registration for future semesters. A guarantee that payment will be made must be secured at the time of registration by a major charge card.

Veterans Benefits

Veterans may apply educational benefits to degree or degree/certification studies. Veterans must submit their file number at the time of registration. The Registration Office will complete and submit the benefits certification form.

Teaching Internship Program

The Internship for Certified Teachers accommodates novice teachers and those re-entering the profession. The Internship for Non-Certified Teachers is designed for prospective teachers, and provides them with insight into their future profession. Both programs bring graduate students into public school settings for year-long experiences that include a range of responsibilities, from small group teaching, to substituting, to assisting tenured faculty.

In return for the intern's service, the school district deposits $12,000 with Fairfield University. This amount is banked for interns to draw upon to pay tuition for courses taken toward their degree or certification.

Teaching Internship Information