Graduate Funding Opportunities

At the School of Communication, we understand that you have concerns regarding the financial obligations of graduate studies. We recommend that you take a proactive approach to planning ahead. We encourage you to review the information at the links below regarding estimated tuition, living expenses, and other school-related expenses. A range of resources are available to help you successfully manage your financial responsibilities, including the following opportunities.

Most programs have a very limited number of graduate assistantships available. When you apply for admission to a graduate degree program in the School of Communication by the priority deadline (Feb 1st), you will automatically be considered for a Graduate Assistantship. Therefore, no separate application is necessary. All applicants who submit an exceptionally strong application and have exhibited a demonstrated ability to contribute to their field are eligible, including applicants who live in the United States, as well as international applicants.

Masters Programs

Masters degree students may be awarded a partial tuition waiver or a monthly stipend during the academic year (e.g., from September to May), or both a partial waiver and a stipend.

Generally, these awards come with a Graduate Assistantship, involving research or teaching assistance. School of Communication Graduate Awards are highly competitive. They are awarded to students who submit exceptionally strong applications, have exhibited a demonstrated ability to contribute to their field, or otherwise show outstanding achievement.

Since the number of awards and assistantships varies between disciplines, we recommend that you request information concerning the availability by contacting individual Graduate Program Directors.

Doctoral Program

All doctoral students are fully funded for four years. Ph.D. students receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, and full health insurance coverage.

The maximum value of our full tuition waiver awards is as follows:

The monthly stipends vary depending on the program. For more information, you may contact individual Graduate Program Directors.

In addition to the graduate assistantships specific to each program, there are a limited number of School of Communication Opportunity Awards, which are intended to support students from historically underserved or underrepresented populations. The awards may consist of a partial tuition waiver, a monthly stipend during the academic year (e.g., September through May), or both waiver and stipend. The application, asks students for a brief statement about how your background and experience will enrich the diversity of the SoC community and how you think diversity, equity, and inclusion can benefit communication or your chosen field within communication.

All interested incoming School of Communication graduate students are welcome to apply. Applicants interested in being considered for an SoC Opportunity Award should submit their application here or contact the Graduate Studies Office at socgrad@miami.edu.

This award is intended to address the shortage of STEAM teachers in South Florida, which disproportionately impacts poor and BIPOC students and prevents them from accessing specific types of educational opportunities that offer high financial returns.

The Department of Interactive Media provides an annual award to a student who commits to remaining in South Florida and teaching in a community college or in the public school system for a minimum of three years after graduation. Details and application information can be found here.

The School of Communication provides special funding to support projects that focus on global aspects of communication. The Center for Communication, Culture, and Change Fellowships provide qualified Ph.D. or M.F.A. students with a primary focus on global, transnational, cross-cultural or diasporic aspects of communication research or creative work with specified release time for one semester, as well as an additional $2,500 stipend to use for research, creative work, to attend international conferences or for other activities related to their project. This award is for current students only. Details on the deadline and application process are made available each fall.

• Cost of Attendance
• Office of Financial Assistance
• Loan Information
• Financial Resources at UM Graduate School
• Scholarships, School of Communication
• Office of Academic Enhancement
• Health Insurance