Graduate School continues veteran student assistantships
For the second year, UNC Charlotte’s Graduate School is seeking military veterans to apply for graduate assistantships designated exclusively for veteran students. Three two-year assistantships are being offered for veteran students starting graduate studies in fall 2016. Each assistantship is valued at $36,000 to $45,000 and includes full tuition, health insurance and an assistantship stipend.
The Graduate School launched the program in early 2015 and named its inaugural recipients for fall 2015. Tom Reynolds, associate provost and dean of the Graduate School, said, “In its first year, three great young veterans, two Army and one Air Force, are now earning master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, social work and health administration, respectively.”
As a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, Reynolds said the assistantship program for veteran students “gives me a deep sense of pride. I predict successful career trajectories for these veteran students.”
Veterans from any branch of the military with an honorable discharge who are admitted to any master’s or doctoral program at UNC Charlotte are eligible to apply for these competitive assistantships.
A veteran must first be admitted into a graduate program. Applications for the assistantships are co-signed by their faculty mentor and all materials must be submitted to the Graduate School by March 1, 2016. Awards will be announced by April 4.
Assistantships may involve teaching opportunities and/or helping with faculty research projects. The award requires a commitment of up to 20 hours per week, and recipients may not be employed on or off campus. Recipients must enroll each semester for at least six credit hours (typically two courses).
Marianne Williford, a Graduate School admissions counselor who specializes in helping military-affiliated student prospects, said, “It is a pleasure and honor to work with our veteran applicants. They come to us with exceptional training, learning skills, experiences and character. I enjoy helping them find the right fit in a graduate program that matches their interests and goals. The Graduate School assistantships recognize the students’ service and performance, permit them to continue their education and may result in outstanding men and women joining the Charlotte and North Carolina communities.”
More information about the assistantships is on the UNC Charlotte Graduate School website