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Graduate Financial Aid

Financial Aid Options for Graduate Students

The most common sources of financial aid for graduate students are federal student loans, graduate assistantships, and scholarships.

    Federal Student Loans

    To receive loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. GovState’s school code is 009145.

    • You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours fall/spring, 3 hours summer) in eligible coursework to be eligible to borrow.
    • Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 annually, which is traditionally split over Fall and Spring.
    • You can reduce the loan amount to what you need; you do not have to take out the full loan amount.

    • ‣ For the loan to disburse:

      • You must accept the award within your GovState Financial Aid portal accessed through MyGovState
      • You must complete Graduate Loan Entrance Counseling and a Graduate Master Promissory Note on the Federal Student Aid website.

      If you need money in excess of your unsubsidized loan, or for summer, you can apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan. This is still a federal student loan but carries a higher interest rate.

    • This is a credit-based loan, and you can fill out the application on the Federal Student Aid website.
    • If denied, you can either appeal the decision or use an endorser.
    • Once the StudentAid.gov application is complete, you must fill out the GovState Plus Loan Application Form on the Forms webpage.
    • Email the completed form to faid@govst.edu.
    Federal Student Loans
    Graduate Assistantships

    Graduate assistantships can cover 6-9 credit hours of tuition/fees and provide a monthly stipend.

    Graduate Assistantships
    Scholarships for Graduate Students

    Scholarships are available at GSU through our Scholarship Universe platform, which provides access to institutional and external scholarships. The platform uses your MyGovState credentials and can be found at Scholarship Universe.

    • You will receive emails to your student email when new scholarships are posted.
    • The platform matches you to scholarships based on the questions that you answer. The more questions you answer = the more scholarship matches!
    • ‣ Contact information:
    Scholarships for Graduate Students

    Financial Counseling and Literacy Workshops

    Managing your finances in college is a skill — and GovState is here to help you build it.

    GovState offers financial literacy workshops and webinars on the topics that matter most to students, including managing student debt, building a budget, and understanding credit. Whether you're just getting started or looking to sharpen your financial skills, these sessions are designed to meet you where you are.

    Need more personalized guidance? GovState's student financial counseling service connects you one-on-one with an advisor to help you create a financial plan tailored to your individual situation. Schedule an appointment at any time during the academic year.

    Graduate Students 

    Graduate students have access to dedicated financial aid advisors who specialize in financial planning, loan options, and scholarships aligned with your academic and career goals. Your advisor understands the unique financial challenges of graduate study and is ready to help you navigate them.

    International Students 

    GovState also provides financial guidance specifically for international students, addressing the distinct financial considerations and resources available to you during your time at GovState.

    Financial Aid Coordinators

    Financial Aid Coordinator

    Financial Aid Coordinator

    Financial Aid Coordinator

    Contact Us

    • Dr. Mary Carrington
    • Dean of the College of Graduate Studies
    • 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL
    • 708.534.4532
    • mcarrington@govst.edu
    College of Graduate Studies Home