How do I apply?
Students wishing to be considered for assistantships and fellowships should
inform the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)
of the program to which they are applying. Or, students may send letters to
the DGS, in care of the department, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506.
There is no Graduate School assistantship/fellowship form, however some programs
may have forms.
What is the assistantship/fellowship application deadline?
Most fellowships and assistantships are awarded for the academic year, which
begins in August. Most departments make appointment decisions for the next academic
year between February and April. Students interested in an assistantship or
fellowship are strongly urged to contact the appropriate Director
of Graduate Studies (DGS) no later than January 15 for the next academic
year. Departments notify students of assistantship appointments and the Graduate
School Fellowship Office notifies students of fellowship appointments. Announcements
are generally made by May.
Ethnically diverse students and women in under-represented areas applying for tuition scholarship and for a Lyman T. Johnson Fellowship are considered for spring, as well as academic year awards. For more information about these awards, see Fellowship Opportunities or call the Recruitment Office, (859) 257-4555.
Do I have to be admitted before being considered for an assistantship or
fellowship?
No. Awards are sometimes offered before an applicant is officially admitted
to the Graduate School; all awards offered are contingent upon admission. Post-baccalaureate
(non-degree) students are not eligible for fellowship consideration, or for
those tuition scholarships that accompany most assistantships.
Do I need letters of reference?
Most departments require letters of reference or recommendation, and many have
their own recommendation form. Students should consult with the Director
of Graduate Studies (DGS) in their intended program of study as to procedures
for letters of reference.
The University of Kentucky honors the following:
"Acceptance of an offer of financial support (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship or assistantship) for the next academic year by a prospective or enrolled graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. In that context, the conditions affecting such offers and their acceptance must be defined carefully and understood by all parties.
"Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which the commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer made by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of a written release from any previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to the above Resolution that a copy of this Resolution should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer."
Direct questions to grad.webmaster@email.uky.edu
Last updated June 21, 2007