Various forms of financial aid are available to students, ranging from loans to full fellowships. Many full-time students receive some form of financial aid. Awards are made on the basis of scholastic achievement and potential. The admission information submitted by applicants is used to select recipients of financial aid. The types of financial aid are below.
Tuition and Fees
For 2005-06, typical tuition and required fees for 9 credit hours (the normal load for graduate students with a half-time assistantship) are $2,700 for Texas residents and $5,800 for nonresidents. Students employed half-time or more on a graduate assistantship are eligible for the resident tuition rate. Their spouses are also eligible for the resident tuition rate. As noted in the description of financial aid, assistantships include payment of tuition and required fees. Usually the payment is made directly on the student's behalf, although in some cases (especially the first semester) the students must pay the tuition and fees at the first of the semester and subsequently receive a reimbursement during the semester.
Living Expenses
Housing and other living costs in Austin are moderate. With roommates, the cost can be significantly less. Affordable housing exists within walking distance of campus or is accessible by UT Austin's 12 shuttle bus routes which interconnect with the city's extensive bus system. Because parking on campus is limited, it is advantageous for graduate students to live either within walking or biking distance of campus or to live on a shuttle bus route. The University has some residence halls with areas for graduate students. In addition, apartments for married students are conveniently located on a UT Austin shuttle bus route. Information on University housing is available from the UT Housing Office.
Additional information on housing in Austin can be obtained at