Thesis/Dissertation Assistantship Award Program
(For Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 semesters)
Nomination Deadline: Wednesday, September 18, 2013
The Graduate School is pleased to announce a call for nominations for the 2013-2014 Thesis/Dissertation
Assistantship award program. This funding program is for masters and doctoral (Ph.D.) scholars who have completed
all program requirements, including didactic courses, except for the thesis/dissertation and who will be defending the
thesis/dissertation and graduating by the end of the fall 2013 or spring 2014 semesters. A very limited number of
fall/spring assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Qualifying students must be nominated to the Graduate
School by their program directors.
Nominees
 must have received Graduate School approval of degree candidacy,
 must have successfully defended the thesis/dissertation proposal,
 must be planning to work full-time towards completion of the thesis/dissertation only during the award period,
 and must certify that they will not be employed in any other position, internal or external, for the award period.
This award is not intended to replace any existing funding or funding commitment. Programs may, however,
pay university/program fees and/or supplement the stipend in order to align with funding levels of other students.
There may be no work required, however, in exchange for these supplements, other than work on the
thesis/dissertation. Please note that if you are currently funded for the fall 2013 semester, you are ineligible to
apply for the fall 2013 thesis/dissertation assistantship.
Nominations will be evaluated on the basis of:
 Scholarship
 Methodology
 Clarity of style and presentation
 Strength of recommendations
 Academic history
Thesis/Dissertation Assistantships will be awarded as follows:
Semester
Fall 2013 semester only
(1 semester)
Stipend
$6,125
(prorated)
Spring 2014 semester only
(1 semester)
$7,875
Fall 2013/Spring 2014 semesters
(2 semesters)
$14,000
Enrollment Requirement
9 semester hours of graduate thesis/dissertation/
research course work for fall semester
9 semester hours of graduate thesis/dissertation/
research course work for spring semester
9 semester hours of graduate thesis/dissertation/
research course work for fall/spring semesters
The Graduate School will disburse assistantship funds on the first and sixteenth of each month for the period of
appointment. Tuition support (no fees) will be credited to the student account upon verification of enrollment in, with
intention to complete for credit, the minimum credit hours indicated above.
Nominations and all supporting materials must be submitted electronically as soon as possible, but no later than
Wednesday, September 18, 2013, to Ms. Melissa Tyler, Director of Graduate Student Funding, The Graduate School,
at mtyler@vcu.edu. Notifications will be made via email beginning September 27, 2013.
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The following materials must be submitted as a single attachment to a single e-mail --- one e-mail with one
attachment per each nomination. Due to the number of anticipated nominations, it is crucial that this format
be followed precisely. Nominations that have not been submitted in this format will not be considered.
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A transmittal nomination form completed by graduate program director (attached)
A one- to two-page summary of the thesis/dissertation topic
A full curriculum vitae
An e-Services copy of the student's VCU academic history
A copy of the approved Admission to Master’s or Doctoral Degree Candidacy form
Two letters of recommendation
IMPORTANT NOTE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE RECEIVING ANY TYPE OF NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID:
STUDENTS SHOULD CHECK WITH THEIR FINANCIAL AID COUNSELORS FOR ADVISEMENT REGARDING
HOW RECEIPT OF THIS AWARD MIGHT IMPACT THEIR FINANCIAL AID PACKAGES.
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