Department of Horticultural Sciences

It can be challenging to pay for a graduate degree, but there are many ways to reduce the burden.

Assistantships and Fellowships

There are many competitive assistantships and fellowships available for students. The department as well as the college, the university, endowments, and sponsoring agencies award assistantships and fellowships. There are many different types of assistantships:

• Graduate Assistant Research (GAR)
• Graduate Assistant Teaching(GAT)
• Graduate Assistant Non-Teaching
• Graduate Assistant Extension

Assistantships require a work commitment, such as teaching undergraduate laboratory sections or working in a research laboratory. Fellowships do not require a work commitment and are more comparable to a scholarship.

Having an assistantship or fellowship qualifies non-residents for the non-resident tuition waiver

Scholarships

With the cost of education being a concern for many students, we are pleased to offer a variety of scholarships which help lighten their economic burden. In 2007 the department awarded 48 scholarships with a total value of just over $50,000.

Scholarship applications are due by February 15, and one application makes students eligible to compete for all of the scholarships offered through the Department.

The applications are reviewed for academic performance, career interests, leadership qualities, job experience and financial need. These scholarships are awarded at the Departmental Annual Awards Banquet held on Parentís Weekend each spring.

Scholarships are also available from the university and the college.

Non-residents may obtain a non-tuition waiver by receiving competitive scholarship. The scholarship (or scholarships) must be publicized and open to all students including Texas residents, and worth $1,000.

Financial Aid

Students might also consider applying for grants from the Texas A&M Financial Aid Office. This requires filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.