Graduate Financial Support Packages
We believe that the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pittsburgh offers its graduate students an excellent financial support package. The package enables graduate students in good standing to concentrate on their education, not on financial burdens. Our comprehensive package supports students throughout their graduate careers.
Financial support beyond the first year is normally provided in the form of a tuition scholarship plus a graduate research assistantship (GSR), a teaching assistantship (TA), or a fellowship. TA support for the second year is commonly available for students in good standing who request it. A student joins a research group and becomes a GSR as early as the beginning of their second year.
Features of our package include the following:
- A competitive stipend.
As of Fall 2007, the normal level of salary support is $21,727.50/year. Given Pittsburgh's low cost of living, this is a very comfortable income. First-year students in good academic standing after their first two terms are guaranteed summer support (in the form of a GSR or TA) while on campus.
- Health insurance.
You are covered. The University of Pittsburgh provides excellent health insurance options, providing every student with complete medical coverage free of charge; supplementary dental and vision plans are also available. Rather than being limited to physicians at a student health service, every student is free to choose her/his own primary care physician. Moreover, spouses and children can be included in our medical plans at very reasonable costs.
- Tuition scholarships.
Graduate tuition can be expensive. A Graduate student supported as a TA, TF, GSR or receiving a Fellowship in our program receives a merit scholarship for tuition and fees for each term that he/she is supported. Depending on your course load and residency status, this benefit can amount to as much as $27,530 for two terms.
- Transportation.
With much thought to the future, the University of Pittsburgh has arranged for free transportation throughout Allegheny county (730 square miles) via the PAT bus system for enrolled students. Any bus - any time, anywhere - is free, including those to downtown or the airport. This benefit saves students the cost of monthly bus passes or parking permits.
- Fellowship Opportunities
There are various fellowship opportunities that provide financial compensation. They provide excellent additions to build a glowing résumé.
How far does my stipend dollar go?
- Rent.
Graduate students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy generally pay between $200 and $600 per month to rent apartments located within walking distance of the Department.
The following sites may be useful:
- Transportation.
Recall that travel on buses within Allegheny County is free. If you need to drive your own car, parking in the Oakland area is relatively inexpensive for urban areas, and monthly parking passes cost about $55, or less than $2 a day.
The following site may be useful:
- Cost of living.
This includes food, entertainment, etc. Pittsburgh is consistently rated one of America's most livable cities due, in part, to its very low cost of living. Follow this link to a list of City of Pittsburgh web sites.