Prospective Doctoral Student Funding

Each year, the doctoral programs in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences award approximately 200 GCFs. This award consists of a financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $27,374 in the fall and spring semesters, a tuition award, and eligibility for low-cost individual or family NYSHIP health insurance.

The service assignments associated with the Graduate Center Fellowship are intended to develop scholarly and professional skills.

In the first year, fellows serve as research assistants within their own doctoral programs. In the second, third, and fourth years, fellows teach one course each semester at a CUNY college, which is arranged by the student’s doctoral program. In the fifth year, the fellow serves as a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Fellow or in a similar assignment at a CUNY college.

Below is a breakdown of the package components by year.

Year 1: Annual Funding of $27,374 and Tuition

• Graduate Assistantship: The Non-Teaching Graduate Assistant B (GAB) performs 7.5 hours of service per week during each 15-week semester, comprising a total of 225 hours for the academic year. Normally you serve a research assistant within your own doctoral program.
• Non-Teaching Graduate Assistant B Salary: $13,215 paid biweekly through New York state payroll checks over 12 months (normally starting from the first day of the fall semester).
• Financial Aid Fellowship: $14,159, paid in two installments by the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid. One half is normally paid at the start of the fall semester; the second half is normally paid at the start of the spring semester. This Financial Aid Fellowship and GAB salary total $26,861. In order to ensure timely payment, students should be registered as full-time and have accepted their fellowship by the financial aid deadline for that semester.
• Tuition Award: In the first year of study, Graduate Center Fellows receive tuition up to 16 credits per semester at either the in-state or out-of-state tuition rate depending on their residency status during the previous 12 months. International students are considered to be out-of-state residents.

Years 2 Through 4: Annual Funding of $27,374 and Tuition

• Graduate Assistantship: The Teaching Graduate Assistant B (GAB) teaches one course in the fall and one course in the spring semester at one of CUNY’s four-year undergraduate colleges. The executive officer of your program arranges the college teaching assignment.
• Teaching Graduate Assistant B Salary: At least $13,215 paid biweekly through New York state payroll checks over 12 months (normally from the first day of the fall semester through the last day before the start of the next semester). The GAB salary may increase based on the terms of the existing contract.
• Financial Aid Fellowship: $14,159, paid in two installments by the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid. One half is normally paid at the start of the fall semester; the second half is normally paid at the start of the spring semester. This Financial Aid Fellowship and GAB salary total $26,861. In order to ensure timely payment, students should be registered as full-time and have accepted their fellowship by the financial aid deadline for that semester.
• Tuition Award: Starting in their second year and for the remaining three years of their fellowship, Graduate Center Fellows who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents receive a tuition award up to 16 credits per semester at the in-state tuition rate. If they are not already New York state residents or do not choose to establish New York state residency by the beginning of their second year, they must pay the difference between the in-state tuition award they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged. Graduate Center Fellows who are international students on a visa receive tuition up to 16 credits per semester at the out-of-state tuition rate for the four remaining years of this fellowship.

Year 5: Annual Funding of $27,374 and Tuition

• WAC Fellowship: The Graduate Center Fellow serves as a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Fellow at one of the CUNY undergraduate colleges.
• Graduate Assistantship: In the fifth year, GCFs work 10 hours per week as WAC Fellows (300 total for the year). For their service, the fellows are compensated by a Graduate Assistant B (GAB) to cover 7.5 hours of service per week/225 hours for the year. The additional 2.5 hours are professional development.
• Salary: At least $13,215 paid biweekly through New York state payroll checks over 12 months (normally from the first day of the fall semester through the last day before the start of the next semester). The GAB salary may increase based on the terms of the existing contract.
• Financial Aid Fellowship: $14,159 Graduate Center Fellowship award paid by the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid. The stipend is paid in two installments. One half is normally paid at the start of the fall semester; the second half is normally paid at the start of the spring semester. This stipend and GAB salary total $26,861. In order to ensure timely payment, students should be registered as full-time and have accepted their fellowship by the financial aid deadline for that semester.
• Tuition Award: In year 5, as in years 2, 3, and 4 of their fellowship, Graduate Center Fellows who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents receive a tuition award up to 16 credits per semester at the in-state tuition rate. If they are not already New York state residents or do not choose to establish New York state residency by the beginning of their fifth year, they must pay the difference between the in-state tuition award they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged. Graduate Center Fellows who are international students on a visa receive tuition up to 16 credits per semester at the out-of-state tuition rate in all five years of their fellowship.

Each year, the doctoral programs in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences award approximately 90 five-year Tuition Fellowships.

These fellowships cover full tuition (up to 16 credits per semester) and are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success.

As a Tuition Fellow, you will receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester in your first year of study, whether or not you qualify for resident tuition. After that, you will receive tuition credit only at the resident rate of tuition.

If U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are Tuition Fellows choose not to establish New York state residency following their first year, they must pay the difference between the full in-state tuition which they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged.

All Tuition Fellows who are international students on a visa receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester for the four remaining years of this fellowship.

In the fall of 2018, The Graduate Center offered the Miranda Family Fellowship for the Study of Puerto Rican Migration to and Communities in the United States to one incoming history Ph.D. student.

This fellowship, generously funded by the Miranda Family, provides the successful candidate with a financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling at least $26,128 each year for the first five years of study. This award consists of a financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling at least $26,128 in the fall and spring semesters, a tuition award, and eligibility for low-cost individual or family NYSHIP health insurance.

The fellowship recipient receives full tuition up to 16 credits per semester in their first year of study. If the recipient is an international student, they receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester for the four remaining years of this fellowship. If the recipient is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and chooses not to establish New York residency following their first year, they must pay the difference between the full in-state tuition they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged.

The successful fellowship candidate must fulfill all of the criteria for admittance to the Ph.D. Program in history at The Graduate Center. After choosing a specialization in either United States or Latin American and Caribbean history, the fellow will conduct research for a doctoral dissertation on Puerto Rican migration and the development of Puerto Rican communities in the U.S. All requirements for a Ph.D. in history must be fulfilled prior to awarding the degree. The candidate will be mentored as an intern at the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies.

Each year, the doctoral programs in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences award approximately 200 GCFs. This award consists of a financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $27,374 in the fall and spring semesters, a tuition award, and eligibility for low-cost individual or family NYSHIP health insurance.

The service assignments associated with the Graduate Center Fellowship are intended to develop scholarly and professional skills.

In the first year, fellows serve as research assistants within their own doctoral programs. In the second, third, and fourth years, fellows teach one course each semester at a CUNY college, which is arranged by the student’s doctoral program. In the fifth year, the fellow serves as a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Fellow or in a similar assignment at a CUNY college.

Below is a breakdown of the package components by year.

Year 1: Annual Funding of $27,374 and Tuition

• Graduate Assistantship: The Non-Teaching Graduate Assistant B (GAB) performs 7.5 hours of service per week during each 15-week semester, comprising a total of 225 hours for the academic year. Normally you serve a research assistant within your own doctoral program.
• Non-Teaching Graduate Assistant B Salary: $13,215, paid biweekly through New York state payroll checks over 12 months (normally starting from the first day of the fall semester).
• Financial Aid Fellowship: $14,159, paid in two installments by the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid. One half is normally paid at the start of the fall semester; the second half is normally paid at the start of the spring semester. This Financial Aid Fellowship and GAB salary total $26,861. In order to ensure timely payment, students should be registered as full-time and have accepted their fellowship by the financial aid deadline for that semester.
• Tuition Award: In the first year of study, Graduate Center Fellows receive tuition up to 16 credits per semester at either the in-state or out-of-state tuition rate depending on their residency status during the previous 12 months. International students are considered to be out-of-state residents.

Years 2 Through 4: Annual Funding of $27,374 and Tuition

• Graduate Assistantship: The Teaching Graduate Assistant B (GAB) teaches one course in the fall and one course in the spring semester at one of CUNY’s four-year undergraduate colleges. The executive officer of your program arranges the college teaching assignment.
• Teaching Graduate Assistant B Salary: At least $13,215 paid biweekly through New York state payroll checks over 12 months (normally from the first day of the fall semester through the last day before the start of the next semester). The GAB salary may increase based on terms of the existing contract.
• Financial Aid Fellowship: $14,159, paid in two installments by the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid. One half is normally paid at the start of the fall semester; the second half is normally paid at the start of the spring semester. This Financial Aid Fellowship and GAB salary total $27,374. In order to ensure timely payment, students should be registered as full-time and have accepted their fellowship by the financial aid deadline for that semester.
• Tuition Award: Starting in their second year and for the remaining three years of their fellowship, Graduate Center Fellows who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents receive a tuition award up to 16 credits per semester at the in-state tuition rate. If they are not already New York state residents or do not choose to establish New York state residency by the beginning of their second year, they must pay the difference between the in-state tuition award they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged. Graduate Center Fellows who are international students on a visa receive tuition up to 16 credits per semester at the out-of-state tuition rate for the four remaining years of this fellowship.

Year 5: Annual Funding of $27,374 and Tuition

• WAC Fellowship: The Graduate Center Fellow serves as a Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Fellow at one of the CUNY undergraduate colleges.
• Graduate Assistantship: In the fifth year, GCFs work 10 hours per week as WAC Fellows (300 total for the year). For their service, the fellows are compensated by a Graduate Assistant B (GAB) to cover 7.5 hours of service per week/225 hours for the year. The additional 2.5 hours are professional development.
• Salary: At least $13,215 paid biweekly through New York state payroll checks over 12 months (normally from the first day of the fall semester through the last day before the start of the next semester). The GAB salary may increase based on the terms of the existing contract.
• Financial Aid Fellowship: $14,159 Graduate Center Fellowship award paid by the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid. The stipend is paid in two installments. One half is normally paid at the start of the fall semester; the second half is normally paid at the start of the spring semester. This stipend and GAB salary total $26,861. In order to ensure timely payment, students should be registered as full-time and have accepted their fellowship by the financial aid deadline for that semester.
• Tuition Award: In year 5, as in years 2, 3, and 4 of their fellowship, Graduate Center Fellows who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents receive a tuition award up to 16 credits per semester at the in-state tuition rate. If they are not already New York state residents or do not choose to establish New York state residency by the beginning of their fifth year, they must pay the difference between the in-state tuition award they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged. Graduate Center Fellows who are international students on a visa receive tuition up to 16 credits per semester at the out-of-state tuition rate in all five years of their fellowship.

Each year, the doctoral programs in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences award approximately 90 five-year Tuition Fellowships.

These fellowships cover full tuition (up to 16 credits per semester) and are awarded in recognition of academic achievement and in expectation of scholarly success.

As a Tuition Fellow, you will receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester in your first year of study, whether or not you qualify for resident tuition. After that, you will receive tuition credit only at the resident rate of tuition.

If U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are Tuition Fellows choose not to establish New York state residency following their first year, they must pay the difference between the full in-state tuition which they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged.

All Tuition Fellows who are international students on a visa receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester for the four remaining years of this fellowship.

Each year, the doctoral programs in computer science, earth and environmental sciences, psychology, and speech-language-hearing sciences award approximately 20 Science Fellowships to incoming and current students.

Effective fall 2023: Science Fellowships provide $26,374 per year for two years. In many instances, faculty grants supplement Science Fellowships in years 3 through 5.

Science Fellows who entered in fall 2018 or later receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester in their first year of study. International students who entered during this period receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester for the four remaining years of this fellowship.

If U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are Science Fellows choose not to establish New York state residency following their first year, they must pay the difference between the full in-state tuition which they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged.

Science fellows who entered prior to fall 2018 receive in-state tuition coverage for their first 10 semesters, regardless of their residency.

Clare Booth Luce Fellowships are offered to entering female students in mathematics and computer science programs.

Fellowship recipients are nominated by their doctoral programs to the Henry Luce Foundation, which selects the students who will receive the fellowship.

CBLs provide $35,000 in years 1 and 2. The package consists of a research Graduate Assistantship B (GAB) and a financial aid fellowship provided by The Graduate Center as well as a CBL fellowship provided by the Henry Luce Foundation. In years 3 and 4, the award is $35,000 funded by The Graduate Center, including a graduate assistantship to teach one course per semester at a CUNY college. In year 5, the award is $35,000, including a GAB service-related assistantship (assigned by your program) and a financial aid fellowship.

In years 1 and 2, the Henry Luce Foundation will provide a $1,200 housing allowance and a $1,250 travel and summer school allowance. In years 3 through 5, The Graduate Center will provide a $300 travel allowance.

Fellows receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester in their first year of study. Beginning the third semester, your tuition award will only cover the in-state rate. If, at that time, you choose not to establish New York state residency, you must pay the difference between the full in-state tuition you will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate you will be charged.

Each year, the doctoral programs in biochemistry, biology, chemistry, and physics award approximately 95 scholarships.

For students who entered:

• Fall 2023: Annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $31,246; a tuition award of up to 16 credits per semester of tuition waiver at level I and a full tuition waiver for Levels II and III; eligibility for low-cost individual or family NYSHIP health insurance.
• Fall 2022: Annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,987; a tuition award of up to 16 credits per semester of tuition waiver at level I and a full tuition waiver for Levels II and III; eligibility for low-cost individual or family NYSHIP health insurance.
• Fall 2021: Annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,733
• Fall 2020: Annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,484; a tuition award of up to 16 credits per semester of tuition waiver at level I and a full tuition waiver for Levels II and III; eligibility for low-cost individual or family health insurance
• Fall 2018 and 2019: Annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,000

In your first year, you will have a modest service obligation related to professional development and research laboratory rotations, which will allow you to select a mentor to work with for the next four years.

In the second through fifth years of the award, there are usually some teaching assignments.

Renewal of the scholarship each year is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress.

The financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship will be paid by The Graduate Center for the first two semesters and by the student’s mentor’s campus for the following eight semesters.

Students accepted into psychology’s behavioral cognitive neuroscience program or biology’s neuroscience program will be considered for the Neuroscience Fellowship.

Effective fall 2022: This award consists of a tuition award, a financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,982 and eligibility for low-cost individual or family NYSHIP health insurance.

For students who entered in fall 2021, there was an annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,733.

For students who entered in fall 2020, there was an annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,484.

For students who entered in fall 2018 and 2019, there was an annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $30,000.

The Graduate Center will pay the neuroscience tuition award for the first 10 semesters. The financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship will be paid by The Graduate Center for the first two semesters and your mentor's campus for the next six semesters. The Graduate Center will transfer funds to your mentor's campus to cover the final two semesters.

The Graduate Center offers a five-year Provost’s Enhancement Fellowship to entering students from underrepresented groups who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The fellowship — which is not available to students in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, audiology, social welfare, or nursing — will offer selected students an additional $10,000 enhancement to their Graduate Center Fellowship. Fellowship recipients are nominated by their doctoral programs to the Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity, which selects the students who will receive the fellowship.

Some fellows will fulfill their service requirement by working with the CUNY Pipeline Program, which provides educational and financial support to CUNY undergraduates from underrepresented groups who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D.

Effective fall 2023: Students chosen for this fellowship will receive an overall award that consists of an annual financial aid fellowship and graduate assistantship totaling $37,374 a tuition award, and eligibility for low-cost health insurance.

All Provost Enhancement Fellows receive full tuition up to 16 credits per semester in their first year of study. If U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are Provost’s Enhancement Fellows choose not to establish New York state residency following their first year, they must pay the difference between the full in-state tuition which they will receive and the out-of-state tuition rate they will be charged.

Awarded to an entering African American student in science. The Llewellyn will offer selected students an additional $10,000 enhancement to their CUNY Science Scholarship. Fellowship recipients are nominated by their doctoral programs to the Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity, which selects the recipients.

These are small one-year renewable grants made to students from underrepresented groups who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. They may be used for varying purposes, such as topping up financial aid fellowship, summer awards, or for dissertation support.

The CUNY Pipeline Program is designed to provide educational and financial support to CUNY undergraduates from groups currently underrepresented in our nation's universities who are interested in pursuing the Ph.D. in preparation for college-level teaching and advanced research. The program accepts students in any discipline except law, business and medicine.

Learn more about the CUNY Pipeline Program

There is no application process. If you are eligible for tuition coverage, our office will post the award for you. If you believe you should receive tuition coverage but no award is posted, please reach out to our office.

Applicants are formally notified about fellowships at the time they receive an offer of admission. This varies by doctoral program but is unlikely to be before early February.

New doctoral students will receive an emailed financial aid award letter.

No. Students with a Graduate Center Fellowship, CUNY Science Scholarship, Science Fellowship, or Presidential MAGNET Fellowship may not concurrently hold another Graduate Center five-year award. Students with these fellowships also may not concurrently hold another CUNY graduate assistantship.

Only students who hold five-year Tuition Fellowships may hold other Graduate Center awards and graduate assistantships, but not another five-year fellowship.

Yes. Your academic program will determine the exact award you receive. Each program has its own individual funding structure. See detailed award information above.

Yes. Doctoral students in the audiology, nursing, and social welfare programs do not receive fellowship support. These students may receive alternate sources of funding. See detailed award information above.

Each semester, all doctoral students are charged student fees. The descriptions of the five-year fellowships clearly specify whether the award covers the cost of student fees. Please review the description of your fellowship above to verify this information.

Fellowships are often made up of different components, including tuition, a financial aid fellowship, and/or a graduate assistantship.

Tuition coverage: Once a student registers full time, a bill is created by the Bursar. Tuition coverage (fellowship or remission) will automatically be applied about a week before the semester starts, provided the student has accepted the award in CUNYfirst.

Assistantships (Grad A, B, or D): These are paid biweekly through payroll over one calendar year. In order to have biweekly payments processed, first time graduate assistants must attend a Human Resources orientation before the semester begins. Information on assistantship payment will be provided during that orientation. Students with questions about their assistantship service assignment or placement should contact Anne Ellis and Rosa Maldonado in the Provost’s Office.

Financial aid fellowships (GCF, CSS, Science, Math, MAGNET, Neuroscience): Funds will be mailed to the address on file in CUNYfirst or direct deposited (requires sign-up via the CUNYFirst portal) as a lump sum at the beginning of each semester — provided that you have enrolled full time, accepted the fellowship, and have a SSN.

You will be notified by the Office of Fellowships and Financial Aid that you must accept the stipend portion of your award as well as your Tuition Fellowship online via CUNYfirst. You must accept each award, including each individual component of a fellowship. Failure to do so will result in the award being rescinded.

How to accept an award in CUNYfirst

You must also be registered as a full-time student (see more about credit requirements for aid.) and have your Social Security Number (SSN) on file in CUNYfirst. International students should be sure to keep their Sprintax TDS information updated.

To be paid as early as possible, you should register and accept your award(s) prior to the financial aid registration deadline. 

Cheat Sheets: How to Get Paid

• Incoming students
• Incoming international students

Students have an obligation to inform the program they are applying to of any external grants they receive. Each case will be reviewed individually, and the Graduate Center will do its best to comply with all external award requirements. Please note that external award requirements can impact the assistance the Graduate Center is allowed to offer a student.

Unfortunately, the Graduate Center does not allow incoming students to defer their fellowship or admission. If you are offered a fellowship and are unable to attend, you will need to re-apply in a future admission cycle and be reconsidered for fellowship funding.

As part of their financial aid allocations, many doctoral programs offer University Fellowships to some of their students. In cases where students do not receive tuition coverage from other sources, the University Fellowship will first pay any outstanding charges. Any remaining funds will be refunded to the student for living expenses.

Full time doctoral students who are not admitted with a five-year fellowship, but are appointed as adjuncts teaching a minimum of three credits per semester at an undergraduate CUNY campus, or hold a Graduate Assistantship A, B, C, or D, are eligible to receive in-state tuition remission. Students in their first 10 semesters will receive full in-state tuition coverage.

These tuition remission awards are distinct from tuition awards that are associated with multi-year recruitment fellowships. Tuition remission cannot be combined with another tuition award.

Effective spring 2020: Doctoral students who have completed at least ten semesters and hold a position covered by Article 1 of the PSC contract will qualify for up to four additional semesters of in-state level three tuition remission. Tuition remission cannot be combined with another tuition award.

These positions — which are tiered in A, B, C, and D categories — may be awarded by the doctoral programs, CUNY and Graduate Center administrative offices, and the CUNY colleges upon admission or while you are studying at The Graduate Center. In many cases, a graduate assistantship is a component of a multiyear fellowship.

Graduate assistantships require varying amounts of service (between 100 and 450 hours per year). Students with graduate assistantships are eligible for in-state tuition coverage if they are within their first 10 registered semesters.

Learn more about Graduate Assistantships