Cost and Funding
For Master’s programs offered through the Graduate school, you can find information on tuition per credit hour, student health insurance and additional student fees in this cost of attendance guide.
In some instances, students admitted to terminal master's degree programs in the Graduate School are offered financial aid and awards, but not as frequently or to the same extent as are Ph.D. students. Other opportunities for financial assistance may be found through varied work positions on campus, some of which are research and administrative assistantships.
Additional details regarding student financial packages may be obtained from your academic department or program. All Graduate School students are eligible for additional funding during the progression of your studies.
Vanderbilt University provides awards, stipends, fellowship and assistantship funds to attract the best and brightest doctoral students. Financial awards are available in several forms, with considerable variation from one program to another.
As a doctoral student, research and/or teaching will be a vital part of your graduate training. Since the Ph.D. is primarily a research degree, our doctoral students are expected to be engaged in research throughout their graduate careers. This research is typically carried out under the mentorship of one of our esteemed faculty members and will result in the student’s Ph.D. dissertation. Teaching experience is an important part of your intellectual development and professional preparation. Varying by discipline, some of our graduate programs provide two semesters of teaching experience for our Ph.D. students (as a Teaching Assistant or similar role). Collectively, your teaching and/or research experiences form the basis of your funding package.
Ph.D. students can generally expect funding packages that include teaching/research assistantships that pay tuition (approximately $43,000/year), medical insurance ($3,975), student fees, and a supplemental income stipend ranging from $34,000 to $38,000 per year for five years (depending on the department)*. PhD students are also eligible for the Launching Student Success Stipend.
*Data updated February 29, 2024; stipend range excludes School of Nursing given that it is an online program.
Master's of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) students can generally expect funding packages that include teaching/research assistantships that pay tuition (approximately $43,000/year), medical insurance ($3,975), student fees and a supplemental income stipend ranging from $28,000 to $36,500 per year for five years (depending on the department).* Learn more about M.F.A. funding opportunities. (link).
*Data updated September 8, 2023; stipend range excludes School of Nursing given that it is an online program.
At Vanderbilt, we recognize that nurturing student scholarship is not merely about providing resources; it's about cultivating an environment where innovation and creativity are encouraged and ensuring every student has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their respective field.
University Scholarships
There are many university scholarships available to doctoral students. Often, master’s students are eligible depending on certain criteria and their program of choice.
University Tuition Scholarships
University Tuition Scholarships are service-free awards that pay all or part of tuition costs. The maximum award value is currently $36,500 for the nine-month academic year.
The following awards are normally supplemented by a full University Tuition Scholarship, which usually includes student health insurance coverage: University Fellowships, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Research Assistantships, Traineeships, and Teacher Training Awards.
Enhanced Funding Model
In the Spring of 2021, Provost Cybele Raver announced a new $5 million annual
investment in graduate education to show Vanderbilt’s commitment to training and mentoring the next generation of scholars and thought leaders. As part of this enhanced funding model, graduate students will be able to take advantage of:
- Financial enhancements to assist with additional non-tuition related costs
- Support, funding and external grant and workshop opportunities
- Graduate community enhancements
- Partnerships to support graduate students
Learn more about the Enhanced Funding and Support Model for Doctoral Education.
Tax Information
Unsure of what taxes you should be paying or what education credits pertain to you? While Vanderbilt University is unable to provide tax advice, here are some resources that may guide you in your tax preparations.
Payroll is pay for work performed, whereas a stipend is service-free payments to students. Typically, Vanderbilt withholds taxes on payroll and will send you a W-2 statement. If you did not receive your W-2, please log onto Oracle. Taxes are not withheld from stipends.
- The Office of Student Accounts provides assistance for downloading your 1098-T, FAQs about the 1098-T, and information regarding tax benefits for education.
- The Vanderbilt International Services provides information and forms pertaining to a range of international tax topics.
- The IRS has a Free File site that can help you figure out if you can file your federal taxes for free and has the list of eligible online tax preparation companies or software. Some online tax preparation sites offer live, online support from tax experts. TurboTax is one option that has been used and recommended by students.
- The IRS's page on scholarships, fellowships, and other grants
- Do I Include My Scholarship, Fellowship, or Education Grant as Income on My Tax Return?
Loan Assistance
Loan assistance is available for graduate students in the form of unsubsidized loans through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program, the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan program, and alternative/private loan programs offered by certain lenders. Students are typically eligible to borrow the annual maximum Direct Unsubsidized loan of $20,500. (However, students are required to complete the FAFSA application process before a Direct Unsubsidized Loan may be awarded.) Graduate PLUS loans are federal credit-based loans that graduate or professional degree students can use to help pay educational expenses. Alternative/private loans are available from private sources that are not based on financial need. We recommend that students apply for federal loans first and then pursue additional sources of funding if necessary. Information may be found at the Federal Student Aid website.
In order to be considered for the Federal Direct Loan programs and/or the Federal Work Study Program, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Learn more about eligibility criteria and application procedures.
Financial Considerations
The Vanderbilt Graduate School offers resources that can help with financial wellbeing.
Financial Wellbeing Resources
Hire a Dore is a database for Vanderbilt related job opportunities both on and off campus.
The Student Care Network wants to help ensure students are prepared to make smart financial decisions during and after your time at Vanderbilt. Through a series of workshops, students can assess personal relationships with money; identify connections between mental and financial wellbeing; analyze current spending and saving habits; and become more aware of ways to apply budgeting and money-saving concepts. Learn more about workshops here.
Financial Hardship
The Student Care Assistance Program (SCAP), offered through the Student Care Network, supports the immediate needs of students experiencing a financial hardship related to health care expenses that poses significant risks to their educational success. Students who are encountering unexpected expenses due to an event or a medical or mental health crisis can apply for the Student Critical Support Fund. Funds awarded will not exceed $2000 each academic year from the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA).