Apply for fellowships that cover tuition costs. Fellowships are monetary allotments provided to students studying or working in specific career fields. Factors such as the academic eligibility requirements and the amount of money offered are specific to each fellowship. You may even be eligible to receive multiple fellowships to help you pay for graduate school. Fellowships are offered by a variety of public and private agencies such as the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation. Try contacting different graduate school programs to find which fellowship fit into your career goals and interests.
Enter into assistantship programs to help tackle expenses. Assistantships offer a monetary incentive in exchange for a predetermined amount of working or research hours. These arrangements may be carried out in such places as classrooms, laboratories, and medical facilities. The type and duration of each assistantship is based on your chosen field of study. For example, you may be required to teach a semester of elementary school biology in exchange for your compensation. Since assistantships do require extra work on your part, it's important to be able to balance your schedule to avoid losing your funding.
Find a part-time job to fill in gaps in your tuition and expense needs. Schedule this job to fit around your schooling requirements. Visit your school's financial aid office to explore on-campus gigs such as tutoring or library work. Consider jobs such as waiting tables to break the monotony of campus life and to obtain quick money.
Secure Stafford and PLUS loans to help pay for graduate school. These types of loans are federally funded and feature much lower interest rates than traditional loans. You may borrow the full amount of your graduate school tuition and make comfortable payments arrangements to fulfill the loan obligations.
Submit a FAFSA (Federal Application for Student Aid) to be considered for a these loans. While both types of loans are readily available for graduate school students, you should use your maximum allotment for Stafford Loans before applying for PLUS loans since Stafford loans don't require credit checks and offer lower rates than PLUS loans. Each loan has specific repayment terms and requirements.
Ask your employer to help finance your graduate school education. Many employers can benefit from workers with advanced credentials. Negotiate employment contracts with your employer in exchange for stipends to help pay for your graduate school education. Some employers may already have financing options in place.