Graduate school applications are up across the country and more students realize they do not have to foot the bill alone. With more degree and funding options available, the benefits of graduate education appeal to countless students after the undergraduate experience is complete.
Jennifer Marinello, assistant director at the graduate admissions office, said application rates increased 11 percent during the past year and Ohio State admitted more than 3,500 students to the various degree programs. The graduate application rates at OSU are part of a growing national trend toward increased applications.
Stuart Heiser of the Council of Graduate Schools in Washington said a 2004 annual enrollment survey found that 1.25 million applications were filed to graduate schools.
“Every year, applications increase slightly,” Heiser said.
Heiser said applications have increased for the past 20 years but said international applications have decreased since the Sept. 11 attacks. A recent CGS survey showed that international applications increased 11 percent since 2005 but are still below 2003 numbers.
While statistics show that graduate school is increasingly becoming an option after earning an undergraduate degree, financing higher education is often the most pressing issue for potential students. Marinello said more than 55 percent of graduate students receive funding for their graduate education.
“I think that’s what’s really different for students,” Marinello said. “They’re used to taking out the loans, biting the bullet and really piling on the debt.”
Bobbi Davis-Jones, director of fellowship services, said students have several options when researching financial aid for graduate study. OSU offers about 5,000 associateships each year for graduate teaching associates, research associates and administrative associates, among others. Associates work approximately 20 hours each week and receive tuition reimbursement as well as a monthly stipend. Davis-Jones said the amount of living expenses offered varies by school but is generally $1,200 or more.
Another option for graduate students is fellowships, a study grant offered to the most highly qualified applicants. Davis-Jones said specific schools nominate the most highly qualified students who are then reviewed by a 20-member committee. According to the OSU graduate school Web site, more than 300 fellowships are awarded each year to graduate students at the university. In addition, students may apply for external fellowships, which are funded by federal, institutional and industrial grants.
Davis-Jones said fellowships and associateships allow for a stronger focus on education.
“The awards give students the ability to concentrate full time on just getting their graduate degree,” she said.
