The Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and the University provide financial aid for graduate students in one of the following forms: graduate teaching assistantships, graduate research assistantships and fellowships.  These assistantships include a tuition waiver, health benefits and a stipend.

Research Assistantships

Many faculty members in the department have active research grants that continually support graduate research assistantships.  The research assistant works with the faculty in the conduct of the sponsored research towards the student’s thesis/dissertation work.  Students applying for research assistantships are strongly urged to contact the faculty member whose research interest most closely match their own.  Applicants should also indicate an intended advisor on the application form and discuss their research interests in their personal statement.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships are limited and are offered to graduate students upon nomination of the major advisor of the student, providing evidence of the courses that the student can support. To be eligible for a teaching assistantship, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in spoken English; the Graduate School requirements in this respect is found here Uconn's English Proficiency Policy. All teaching assistants must undergo all necessary training procedures

Fellowships

The Graduate School Outstanding Scholars Program offers a number of fellowships for new outstanding graduate students. The Jorgensen Fellowship (JF) and the Harriott Fellowship (HF) are available  to outstanding young scholars who have been admitted to doctoral programs at the University of Connecticut. The Crandall Fellowship is available to outstanding young scholars who have been admitted to master’s programs at the University. More detailed information can be found at the graduate school fellowship award site.

In order for an applicant to be considered for one of the following fellowships, the applicant must select that they wish to be considered in SLATE. Recipients of these fellowships will be the most academically promising members of the entering class of graduate students at the University of Connecticut. The criteria used to select recipients include the following:

• Evidence of scholarly or creative achievement highlighted by the department or program in their nomination and evidence that the department or program provides the environment necessary for success in the areas of interest highlighted by the applicant.
• Evidence of any prior scholarly or creative achievement by the nominee, e.g., publications, presentations, exhibits, performances.
• Evidence that the nominee has been successful at previous academic institutions, e.g., letters of recommendation.
• Quantitative evidence of academic accomplishment, e.g., undergraduate grade point average, GRE/GMAT (when available).

The Jorgensen Fellowship (JF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years.

In addition, to be eligible for either the fellowships below, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education and/or a commitment to enhancing diversity in their field of study.

• The Harriott Fellowship (HF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to doctoral programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for five years. 

• The Crandall Fellowship (CF) is available to outstanding young scholars applying to master’s programs. The award consists of a service-free fellowship providing a $20,000 annual stipend for two years (MFA is for three years).

For HF and CF fellowships students must submit a diversity statement through the SLATE application system. Students can demonstrate a commitment to enhancing diversity in higher education through participation in organizations or activities that (a) directly relate to increasing access to higher education and retention in higher education of individuals, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs or (b) that help to ensure that individuals are welcomed and included in higher education environments regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, cultural background, religion, or beliefs. Such organization and activities might include participation/affiliation with TRIO programs, cultural/affinity organizations/centers, volunteer experiences, and college or university committees focused on these goals. Students provide evidence of this commitment through research and educational experience reflected on their CV/resume (articles, presentations, internship, and research experience), in their personal statement, or in letters of recommendations.