<p>I am currently a senior electrical engineering student. I am registered to take the GRE in a few weeks. I would like to know what are the options for paying for grad school though. Is there something similar to undergrad where i can apply using FAFSA? I will not be able to pay out of pocket for grad school. I know that working first is an option too but I would like to know what are my options if I want to continue right after. thanks</p>
<p>It depends on the program you’re seeking.</p>
<p>Most doctoral students are funded through graduate assistantships - performing research or teaching work for their respective departments. Masters’ students generally have a harder time finding funding - it’s not impossible, but not as common.</p>
<p>There are no need-based grants for graduate school and the only aid you will get through FAFSA are Stafford loans. Aid is primarily awarded on a merit basis.</p>
<p>Yeah, polarscribe got it. Aggressively seek assistantships regardless of your situation. Beg. Complain. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.</p>
<p>kevinf, to add to what polarscribe said, there are national fellowships available for top students, otherwise you are looking for merit-based aid awarded by the school or department. Assuming you are going for a PhD, you should be able to find a fully-funded position if you can get admitted at all - there is lots of funding for engineering PhD students, and unfunded positions are not generally worth pursuing. If you are set on a masters, funding becomes trickier, and it may be a better idea to seek out employment that will fund a part-time masters degree.</p>
<p>What’s GAPSFAS for?</p>
<p>If you don’t have the funds for grad school, it may be a stretch going at this point. You may want to consider seeking employment, especially for a large company. Most large companies have some kind of educational reimbursment programs. You can then go for the degree part time or possibly full time. </p>
<p>Full time is a little trickier, but can be done. The typical employer reimbursment program will pay for tuition (and sometimes books) but not usually living expenses. So, would need to live cheaply saving some money while working and in school. You would also have to front the tuition and the submit the bill for reimbursement after the term (when you can show you passed the class). </p>
<p>Companies that reimburse schooling expenses also usually require that you work for them for a specified period (1 year?) after getting reimbursed whether on a course by course basis or full time. Some companies also have a bonus program for their employees getting advanced degrees ($5000 for the company I worked for, but in stock with a specified minimum holding period before you can sell it).</p>
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My company prepays the tuition for you, and reimburses you for required books after the end of the semester, so the up-front costs are minimal.</p>
<p>PhD study in engineering is typically funded with fellowship, teaching assistantship, and/or research assistantship.</p>