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Financial Aid |
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The means to pay for higher education can become a primary concern for individuals considering committing themselves to several years of intensive study within a graduate program. Resources do exist, and with persistence, students have generally been successful in obtaining some support. Don't abandon your desire, explore your options! Information and funding is available and distributed via four general pathways.
PATHWAYS TO ASSISTANCE
1) Financial Aid Office Website: Phone: (619) 594-6323. Requires EARLY application in February for the next year, and has information on a variety of federal, state, and institutional programs including grants, loans, and work-study. Apply for everything; accept anything they have to offer. Be ready to fill out, in detail, mounds of forms. Ask for their handbook. The California Student Aid Commission also has a web site where you can find information on financial assistance of many kinds. You can reach the CSAC at http://www.csac.ca.gov.
2) Scholarship Office Website: http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/scholarship/scholarship_index.html Phone: (619) 594-6180. University scholarships and other scholarships are handled here. Separate applications, qualifications, deadlines, etc. than Financial Aid Office. Try to develop a professional working relationship with a staff member to help you seek out special scholarships tailor-made for you. Only a limited number of University scholarships are available; each type of scholarship is likely to require a separate and new application. This requires year-round monitoring and persistence.
3) Department of Counseling and School Psychology. Serves primarily as an information conduit (e.g., bulletin board notices and class announcements); provides opportunities to work part-time under the college work-study program or as a graduate assistant - contact the department secretary. (Detailed information on finanical aid specific to the School Psychology Program can be found in the School Psychology Program Handbook).
L. Strom Memorial Loan Fund. A short-term emergency loan can be requested by writing a letter to the Department Chair, stating the reason for the loan, the amount requested, and a repayment schedule. Contact the Department secretary for more information.
4) Your own ingenuity. A frequently under-used source. Research in the library, on the web, and independent applications for scholarships and fellowships can be rewarding. Be creative--for example, team together with another student and apply jointly for a job in the paper (i.e., job share).
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE Listed below are definitions of the types of aid offered:
LOANS:
Loans are available at low interest rates. Eligibility criteria vary depending upon the type of loan you want. Description of loans available are listed in the Financial Aid Handbook. Repayment of loans, except short-term loans, usually doesn't begin until after you have graduated.
GRANTS:
Are gifts with no obligation for work or repayment, and are available from the Financial Aid Office. Assistance depends on availability of funds determined by various criteria.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Graduate scholarships are monetary awards given to outstanding students recognized in their field of study for academic excellence and leadership. Students apply on their own initiative. Applications for awards granted through the university are available in the Scholarship Office (594-6180). In addition to the Financial Aid Directory following, there are several sites listed in the Technological Directory. (A partial list of scholarship opportunities can be found in the School Psychology Program Handbook).
FELLOWSHIPS: Are awards which require students to maintain a certain G.P.A. and/or produce a research document or some other type of manuscript. Various graduate fellowships exist and are accessible primarily through the Scholarship Office and independent library research and application. Graduate Equity Fellowships are available annually through the Graduate Division. Applications must be filed by June for the coming year. (A partial list of fellowship opportunities can be found in the School Psychology Program Handbook).
PROJECT TRAINEESHIPS
are awards under our federally-funded personnel preparation projects. Each project has specified requirements to be fulfilled in exchange for a traineeship support package which may include stipends and/or a variety of allowances (e.g., tuition/fees, conference travel, professional development, books). Acceptance of some traineeships requires a service obligation. Contact project directors for information. Available assistantships are posted by the Department. (See the School Psychology Program Handbook for detailed information specific to School Psychology.)
EMPLOYMENT:
Provides students with an opportunity to gain valuable experience which is related to their field of study.
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS:
A variety of graduate assistantships are available each year. These assistantships usually require a commitment of 5 to 10 hours/week. Responsibilities vary given the source of support (i.e., university or project assistantship). Available assistantships are posted by the Department and annual announcements of openings are sent to all school psychology students via e-mail.
COLLEGE WORK-STUDY:
College Work-Study is coordinated by the Financial Aid Office. If you are eligible for and are awarded Work-Study funding, contact the Department and/or Program immediately. We may be able to help you design an experience which is also meaningful to your professional development.
PROJECT TRAINEESHIPS:
The school psychology faculty have obtained federal projects to support the development of specializations. Eligibility and requirements vary depending on the nature of the project. Support via stipends (monthly incentives) carry designated commitments, responsibilities, field placement assignments, extra coursework, etc.
SDSU FOUNDATION:
Projects funded externally (federal, state, private foundation) are managed by the SDSU Foundation. Many of these faculty projects have research or graduate assistantships or clerical positions. The SDSU Foundation has an office in the Gateway Building, 5250 Campanile Drive (594-4139) where you can file an application for employment.
OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT:
The best way to know the reality of your chosen profession is to be in the field. Many school districts and private agencies offer part-time employment opportunities. These positions take the form of classroom aides or counseling aides. Many districts require proof of enrollment which can be validated at the Admissions office. Check with various school districts and local paper.
PLEASE NOTE: Employment may affect students' eligibility for financial aid
APPLY EARLY AND PERSIST
If you go to the Financial Aid Office, they may not tell you that there is also a separate Scholarship Office (and that it is not always necessary to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for scholarships). You won't receive a financial aid package or scholarship if you don't apply for it. Applications for regular financial aid and university scholarships are due in February for the following academic year. Other scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are due at various points in the year.