GPMB Student Funding Opportunities
Currently, the stipend for a CofC graduate assistantship varies by type of assistantship:
- Graduate Assistantship – $6200 a semester
- Teaching Assistantship – $6650 a semester
- Research Assistantship – $6200-$6650 a semester (most pay at the $6650 rate)
- NOAA, SCDNR, NIST, HML Research Assistantships – $12,400 - $25,000/year
Students awarded an assistantship are required to carry at least the minimal course load required of a full-time graduate student at the College of Charleston (nine hours of graduate coursework per semester) and must maintain a satisfactory grade point average of at least a 3.0 at the Graduate School. A student must be admitted as a degree-seeking student in order to be considered for a graduate assistantship.
Out-of-state students on assistantships may apply for an abatement of the out-of-state portion of tuition, enabling them to pay in-state rates.
Other internal sources of support include:
- Joanna Foundation Graduate Fellowship in Marine Biology – $3362 (varies w/ market)
This fellowship is provided by the Joanna Foundation to outstanding graduate students allowing full attention to course work and to the development of his/her thesis research. - Graduate Research & Presentation Awards – $500/semester (max $1000/2 years)
This is awarded for research supplies or to assist with travel associated with presentation of research at disciplinary meetings. The application should be submitted to the Dean of the Graduate Studies Office. - Marine Genomics Award – $20,000/year (plus out-of-state tuition abatement)
These fellowships were funded directly by the State of South Carolina legislature to enhance the new field of marine genomics in South Carolina. Applicants are selected competitively by the admissions committee and the program director from the regular applicants for the MS degree in marine biology. An outstanding undergraduate record and particular experience and strength in genetics, genomics or molecular biology are required. - Presidential Summer Research Awards in Marine Biology – $3750/summer
This award is used to recruit top-ranking applicants to their programs. The recipients will be selected by the admissions committee. This award may be granted for a second summer if the student has completed a total of at least 12 graduate hours of coursework in the two terms preceding the summer of the second award and has maintained good academic standing.
Local/Regional Funding Sources
- The McLeod-Frampton Graduate Scholarship – $5000/year
This scholarship is provided by The Agricultural Society of South Carolina for students from South Carolina who are enrolled in marine biology graduate programs. - Slocum Lunz – Typically $1000-1500 (not for stipend)
The Slocum-Lunz Foundation provides financial assistance to graduate students at Colleges and Universities of South Carolina conducting research in marine science. Preference is given to graduate students who are well into their research projects. Awards are for research only. - Charleston Scientific and Cultural Education Fund – $1000-1200
For scientific, cultural or artistic endeavors. Requires that recipients be native-born South Carolinians and have intentions of being a permanent resident of Charleston. - Sigma Xi Grants-in-Aid of Research (GIAR) Program – Up to $1000
To pay for student travel expenses to and from a research site, or for purchase of non-standard laboratory equipment necessary to complete a specific research project. - NERRS Graduate Research Fellowship – $20,000/year
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System’s Graduate Research Fellowship provides master’s degree students and Ph.D. candidates with an opportunity to conduct research of local and national significance that focuses on enhancing coastal zone management. (Local NERR site at North Inlet – Winyah Bay). - SC Wildlife Federation Scholarship – $500
For environmental education. - Budweiser Conservation Scholarship – $10,000
Provided by Anheuser-Busch and administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this competitive scholarship program supports and promotes innovative research or study that seeks to respond to today’s most pressing conservation issues. - SC Space Grant Graduate Student Research Program Fellowship – $10,000 max.
Fellowships for graduate study leading to research-based masters or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering.
* Numerous other sources for funding are available from both the private and public sector through national competitions. Please see the Director of the GPMB for assistance and information on these excellent opportunities.