Science / Mathematics Education Department
Southern University and A&M College
Several types of financial aid are available through the SMED Department. To qualify for such awards, the student must have Regular Admission Status and be in good academic standing. For consideration, the student must complete a standard financial aid application and return it directly to the SMED Department together with the necessary letters of recommendation.
Deadlines for financial aid application are announced on a semester-by-semester basis, and reflect the then-current availability of funds. In general, students should plan to apply in writing no later than November 15 for awards for the following January, and no later than March 15 for awards for the summer or the following August.
Tuition Scholarships
Departmental scholarships apply only to tuition; they are not cash awards. The qualifying student must be enrolled in at least six semester credits of graduate coursework and must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.70 in all prior graduate coursework applicable to the SMED program (including coursework that may have been completed at other institutions at the master's level). These scholarships are renewable on a semester-by-semester basis, and may be available during the summer terms. For students who work full-time, the amount of the award is generally limited to the tuition cost of six credits of graduate SMED coursework. For students who hold less than full-time jobs, scholarships may be awarded for up to the tuition cost of graduate SMED coursework.
Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships require that the student perform assigned duties within the Department for 20 hours per week (typically four hours per day). The qualifying student must be enrolled full-time (at least nine graduate credits) and hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 in all prior graduate coursework applicable to the SMED program. Depending on the availability of funds, assistantships may also be available during the summer sessions. Assistantships do not include a waiver of tuition, but they do carry a waiver of out-of-state fees.
Graduate Fellowships
A limited number of fellowships are awarded by the Department, with a typical stipend of $15,000 per calendar year (and a waiver of tuition.) Fellowships are highly competitive and are awarded only in recognition of the highest levels of academic achievement. Fellows have no obligation to maintain specific hours within the Department, but are expected to demonstrate initiative in carrying out original research.
In addition to the departmental fellowships, students are encouraged to apply to fellowship programs administered by various external funding agencies. Announcements of such fellowship programs are distributed by the Department as the information becomes available. In particular, students are encouraged to apply for the National Science Foundation's graduate research fellowships, which are described at the NSF website.
CTEP
Currently-employed certified teachers in the state of Louisiana qualify for a waiver of tuition for up to six graduate credits per semester, exclusive of other aid that may be received. Under this program, the student registers for classes during the late registration session and pays a modest fee. The program does not apply to practicum, independent study, or dissertation credits, and enrollment is on a space-available basis. The paperwork involved requires signatures of the local principal and the designated program supervisor at the local school board.
Renewals
Barring unforeseen economic circumstances, it is the intent of the SMED Department to provide continued support to current graduate assistants, fellows, and scholarship recipients who remain in good academic standing and who are making satisfactory progress in the Program. To assure the best allocation of available funds to new and continuing students, current graduate assistants and fellows are expected each May to express their interest, in writing, in having their stipends renewed for the following academic year. Recipients of scholarships are expected to express their interest in a renewal on a semester-by-semester basis.