Because the University of Virginia is a public, state-assisted institution, the basic costs of graduate study (tuition and fees) are lower than those of private institutions with programs of comparable scope and quality. In addition to this general benefit, the department of religious studies offers various types of financial aid to graduate students, which includes fellowships and teaching assistantships. No financial aid is available for students seeking the M.A.as their final degree.
Fellowships in varying amounts are offered to a limited number of students, based primarily on academic merit. The Departments offers several types of fellowships: Presidential Fellowships are awarded in a University-wide competition to entering students of exceptionally high achievement and promise; DuPont Fellowships are awarded to both entering and enrolled students in Religious Studies; and Governor's Fellowships are awarded to Virginia students. Presidential Fellowships are renewable for three years, while Dupont and Governor's Fellowships are awarded on an annual basis.
Teaching Assistantships are available to a considerable number of graduate students. Students designated as Teaching Assistants are granted a stipend for assisting the faculty in the tasks of undergraduate instruction. Out-of-state students who serve as teaching assistants qualify for reduced tuition rates.
Work/study Programs, Loan Programs and other employment opportunities are administered through the University's Office of Financial Aid to Students. The deadline for applying for federally-subsidized Work Study is March 31. Students should not wait to hear from the Religious Studies Department about fellowship offers before contacting the University's Financial Aid office: // phone (434) 982-6000
Special Note: While it is rare that the Department can offer full financial support for any graduate student, modest tuition charges and financial assistance from the Department help to insure that no well qualified and needful student should find the cost of graduate study prohibitive.