MSSW: Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and Fees
The 2002 Fiske Guide to Colleges includes the University of Texas at Austin as one of 21 "Best Buys" among public colleges and universities. This designation is based on "the quality of academic offerings in relation to the cost of attendance."
Please consult the University's Student Accounts Receivable website for the most recent information on tuition and fees. In general, the cost of enrollment depends on the student's residence status and the numbers of hours for which he or she registers. Applicants should contact the Graduate and International Admissions Center (512/475-7390) with questions concerning residency status.
Additional required and supplemental fees are charged for various University services and for some specific courses, including some graduate social work courses. The schedule of fees is given in the General Information catalog and in the Course Schedule, available on-line through the Registrar and at area college bookstores. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Financial Aid
Financial support for graduate students are graduate fellowships administered by the University, graduate teaching and research assistantships administered by departments, and financial aid administered by the Office of Student Financial Services.
The Office of Student Financial Services is the primary source for financial aid information, located in the Student Services Building, 100 Dean Keeton Street. Although admission to the Graduate School must be granted before a financial aid application can be processed, you are encouraged to apply early regardless of admission status. Graduate students who receive aid must be admitted to the Graduate School of UT-Austin; a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; enrolled full-time during each semester receiving aid; and in good standing (3.0 grade point average). Students should consult a financial aid counselor for eligibility.
In order to determine eligibility for federal, state or institutional financial aid, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can obtain a FAFSA from the Office of Student Financial Services or from other universities, colleges, community or junior colleges in your local area. An electronic version, FAFSA-on-the-Web is also available.
The type and amount of financial aid available to qualifying graduate students depends on calculated financial need. Financial need is calculated according to a federal need-analysis formula and is based on information reported on the FAFSA such as earned income, other taxable and nontaxable income, available assets and the cost of education at the university or college. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services at (512) 475-6282 for all student financial aid questions, deadlines, concerns and issues.
Limited financial aid opportunities may also be available from the Graduate School and the School of Social Work. These include:
University Fellowships
The Office of Graduate Studies Administers a small number of competitive fellowships that are awarded on the basis of departmental nomination. Selections are made on the basis of merit rather than need. Both first-year and advanced standing students are eligible for nomination for University Fellowships. University Fellowships provide a stipend, paid by the Graduate School, and some departmental support for tuition and fees. The number of Fellowships is very limited and priority in the School of Social Work is given to doctoral students.
Departmental Scholarships and Assistantships
Scholarships within the School of Social Work are awarded by faculty recommendation to incoming Master of Science in Social Work students. Awards are judged competitively on the basis of academic achievement and professional potential. All students who submit the Social Work Application for Assistance by the priority deadline date are eligible. Departmental scholarships are limited in number and usually are in the form of honoraria in amounts between $250-$2000. Distribution of awards occurs only at the beginning of the fall semester. Early application is encouraged.
The School of Social Work has a limited number of teaching assistantships and research assistantships available. Decisions on funding for the number and types of positions are made at the start of each semester. Once funding has been determined, faculty and staff are notified of available positions and then select students to be interviewed from the applicant pool.
Title IV-E Child Welfare Education Collaboration
The School of Social Work operates the IV-E training grant project with federal funds that come through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The goal is to provide a needed pool of trained social workers to work in child welfare and to encourage students who are interested in this area by assisting with their educational expenses while in school. Stipends and internships are two major components of this program.