School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy
Financial Aid Information
Cost + Aid Information
UofM has a tuition cap for graduate resident students, which means all credit hours above 10 will be offered at no additional tuition charge (with the exception of related course fees). To determine the cost of tuition and other expenses, please visit: /gradschool/future_students/cost-aid.php.
Departmental Graduate Assistantships
The Doctoral Program in Urban Affairs offers Graduate Assistantships for students who assist with faculty research and community projects or who work in placements with nonprofit and local government agencies. Assistantships provide tuition remission in addition to a small monthly stipend. The number of positions available yearly depends on University funding, external grants, and contracts. Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. On average, we fund approximately three to four doctoral students entering the program each year.
Applications Open in September 2025
It is recommended that students apply for graduate assistantships before the early decision deadline (January 31st annually). Applications received after this date will be given equal consideration; however, support can only be provided to the extent that additional departmental funds become available.
To apply:
- After completing an application for admission, individuals who would also like to be considered for an assistantship should submit their application for consideration using the Graduate Assistant Application.
- Deadline: To receive full consideration for Graduate Assistantships, applications must be received by January 31st, 2025. It is recommended that students apply early for the best chance of receiving funding.
Critical Urban Research (CUR) Fellowships
CUR Fellowships provide community-embedded research experience with local organizations and municipal entities. The primary aim of the fellowship is to develop actionable research, policy recommendations, and policy solutions. CUR Fellowships 1) contribute to a local knowledge base of data, policies, and innovation in the Memphis metro area; 2) support local organizations in addressing the socioeconomic challenges that face Memphis and other cities like it; and 3) contribute to doctoral students’ training and experience in advanced methods, community engagement, and problem-solving; 4) generate and disseminate locally-focused research for academic and non-academic audiences in Memphis and beyond.
The University of Memphis Scholarship Portal
The University of Memphis (UofM) awards many competitive, merit-based scholarships to newly admitted, degree-seeking international students on a J-1 or F-1 visa who are enrolled in on-campus classes. We value scholarly achievement and academic excellence, and we aim to attract the best and brightest students to join our cutting-edge programs and learn from our world-renowned faculty.
To apply:
- After completing an application for admission, individuals who also wish to be considered for additional scholarships should submit their application for consideration through the Tiger Scholarships Manager.
Federal Financial Aid
For information about obtaining Federal Financial Aid, including Stafford and Perkins loans, visit the University of Memphis Student Financial Aid homepage. Please note that international students are not eligible for this type of aid. However, specific scholarship programs may ask for a FASFA to qualify you for other types of aid. Regardless if you are a self-paying student, you should complete the FASFA to see what other types of aid may be available beyond student loans.
International Student Financial Aid
Under certain circumstances, non-citizens may be eligible for U.S. federal student aid funding. Students are also encouraged to research additional opportunities in their home countries for other forms of aid before applying to the Ph.D. program. If you are applying for an international student visa, you may be eligible for the following U.S. government-funded programs:
IIE
Fulbright
EducationUSA
International Student Employment
International students enrolled at the University of Memphis are eligible to work on campus if they are in good academic standing. Students seeking internships or off-campus employment must notify the International Student Services office before engaging in any off-campus work. To view and apply for on-campus jobs, please visit /studentemployment/.