Portuguese and Brazilian Studies

Financial Support

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Graduate Program Handbook

Financial Support

The Graduate School guarantees six years of financial support for doctoral students in good academic standing who, in the judgment of the department's faculty, are making the expected progress toward completing their degree.

Continued support is contingent upon the timely completion of such landmarks as the general examination (third semester), major paper and a book review (no later than the end of the sixth semester), and the colloquium (no later than the end of the seventh semester).

For the first year, financial aid is generally a university fellowship, covering tuition for eight courses, a monthly stipend, and health benefits. Support for the second, third, and fourth years usually includes a teaching assistantship, teaching fellowship, or a proctorship covering tuition, a monthly stipend, and health benefits. When students serve as Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, or Proctors, they are allowed to enroll in only three courses per semester.

Teaching and Research Opportunities

Students serving as teaching assistants and teaching fellows are required to participate in orientation programs sponsored by the Center for Language Studies and the department beginning about a week before the start of fall semester classes. They are also required to participate in an organizational meeting with the department's language coordinator before the start of the spring semester. As such, they should plan their return from summer and winter breaks accordingly. Teaching fellows, teaching assistants and proctors must seek advance permission from their supervisors for extended absences from campus while classes are in session and during the exam period. In planning their summer travel, students should bear in mind that such appointments cover the academic year through May.

Although we are committed to providing different types of teaching and research opportunities for all students, the assignment of teaching assistants, teaching fellows and proctors must also take into account the needs of the department in a given semester.

Dissertation/Degree Completion

Since financial support for the fifth year normally consists of a dissertation fellowship, it is essential that students submit their dissertation proposals no later than the end of their seventh semester.

If needed, the department will also assist students who are making steady progress towards the completion of their Ph.D. in securing support for the sixth year.

For more info on financial support for doctoral students, see the Graduate Student Handbook and the Graduate School website.