Assistantships
A limited number of graduate research assistantships (GRAs) and graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) are available in the School. These assistantships provide a basic stipend, plus waiver of maintenance fee and out‑of‑state tuition. However, the student may be responsible for paying some activity and technology fees. Stipends are subject to federal taxation. Federal income taxes are withheld on the total amount. Tennessee state income tax is not levied on payrolls or stipends. Assistantships are administered by a policy statement of the Graduate School.
Graduate Research Assistantships
GRAs have the objectives of supporting faculty research and providing assistance to qualified and deserving graduate students. Some GRAs are funded by AgResearch and are allocated to individual faculty for approved research projects by the School Director. Additional GRAs are obtained via grants obtained by individual faculty. Graduate students supported by GRAs are expected to assist their major professors with research and are expected to assist in teaching where possible.
Master’s degree appointments are for two (2) years and Ph.D. degree appointments are for three (3) years. Appointments can exceed these time periods based on availability of external funding obtained by individual faculty. Students who begin an assistantship after the start of a term or who terminate an assistantship before the end of a term are financially responsible for a portion of their tuition and fees for that particular semester. For example, a student may be appointed to a GRA on 1 July, but be enrolled for the whole summer term, or a student on an assistantship may terminate before the end of the semester to take employment elsewhere. The student’s portion of the tuition is prorated on the basis of the term that he or she is not on assistantship.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
GTAs are available in the School to support classroom instruction. GTAs are 9‑month appointments. A quarter‑time GTA is expected to devote at least 10 hours per week to helping faculty members with classes. Classes are assigned to GTAs at the start of each semester. GTAs may be assigned classes other than those taught by their major professor.
Other Financial Support
Biweekly Payroll
Some faculty have limited funding to pay graduate students an hourly wage for research work. Interested students should check with their major professor about this employment.
Cooperative Agreements
Financial support of graduate students is sometimes available in cooperative agreements between the School of Natural Resources and private industry, state or federal agencies as temporary or permanent employment or contract work. Such funding can be secured through individual student efforts, but more often through faculty efforts. Students interested in this financial support should speak with their advisor.
Scholarships
There are a variety of scholarships available for students NOT on assistantships. Scholarships available to graduate students in the School of Natural Resources through the Herbert College of Agriculture include:
- Guy Coheleach Conservation Endowment Scholarships
- Eligible: Undergraduate and graduate students in the School of Natural Resources
- John Richard Fain Student Aid Fund
- Eligible: Undergraduate and graduate students from Jefferson County, Tenn., enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
- Jimmy Jackson Conservation Award Fund
- Eligible: Students from Dickson and surrounding counties in Tennessee who are enrolled in the College of Agriculture and have shown an outstanding interest or aptitude in the study of conservation
- George T. Weaver Scholarship Endowment Fund
- Eligible: Undergraduate and graduate students in Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
- Rehabilitation Corporation of Tennessee Scholarships
- Eligible: Graduate students enrolled in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
- Gary and Joretta Schneider Scholarships
- Eligible: Graduate students enrolled in Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries
Applications can be obtained from the Office of the Dean of the College. Applications for a given academic year are due early in the spring semester just prior to that academic year. Students should also check with The Graduate School, the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, and the Veterans Affairs Office about other funding opportunities.
