Funding

Funding opportunities for graduate students offered through the History Department

Applications

  • Deadline for funding applications for the 2024-25 academic year is February 25, 2024
  • Assistantships, internships, and scholarships are awarded for one academic year only, beginning in the Fall Semester
  • All awards are subject to the availability of funding. Not all positions or scholarships will necessarily be offered every year. 

Prospective students

  • In your statement of purpose, be sure to indicate the funding source(s) for which you would like to be considered and why you would be a good fit for the position(s) or scholarship(s) indicated. 
  • Request a third letter of recommendation (in addition to the two required for the basic application for admission) from a source (professor, academic mentor, etc.) who can speak to your potential for success in advanced studies and research in history.

Continuing students

  • Submit a letter of application for funding in which you indicate the funding source(s) for which you would like to be considered and why you would be a good fit for the position(s) or scholarship(s) indicated.  
  • Request a letter of recommendation from a member of the UofL faculty who can speak to your progress in the degree program and your suitability for the position(s) for which you're applying. 
  • Both letters should be addressed to the Director of Graduate Studies for the History Department and emailed to histgrad@louisville.edu

Funding opportunities 2024-25

    In addition to these departmental awards and assistantships, prospective and continuing students are also encouraged to investigate alternative sources of financial aid that may be available through the Graduate School and/or the University's Financial Aid office. Keep in mind that some of the funding sources on the College, University, and Federal levels will all have their own application requirements and deadlines.

    Graduate Assistantship

    • One (1) Graduate Assistantship, open to new or continuing students in the History Department's Master of Arts program. Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher at the undergraduate level (in the case of incoming MA students) or a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher at the graduate level (in the case of continuing MA students). Work load is 20 hours per week. 
    • Depending on the needs of the Department and the interests of the individual selected, this may be either a teaching assistantship, in which case the GA would assist a faculty member with one of the Cardinal Core courses, or a research assistantship attached to the Public History program, in which case the GA would assist the program director and program faculty in outreach, coordination, research, and planning of Public History projects. The exact determination of the GA's responsibilities will be made by the GA and their faculty supervisor.
    • Recipients will receive 9 hours of tuition remission in fall and spring semesters, health insurance, and a stipend of $12,000 paid in ten equal installments beginning in August of the year of appointment.

    Departmental Scholarships

    • Jurdem Graduate Scholarship in U.S. History: One or more scholarships will be awarded to outstanding graduate students who intend or have already begun to work toward an M.A. with a concentration in U.S. History.Students who apply for a Graduate Assistantship in the Department of History may apply for the Jurdem Scholarship, but the Scholarship cannot be held concurrently with a Graduate Assistantship.Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.00 overall for undergraduate and graduate work completed.
    • Ryant Memorial Awards for Graduate Students: Available for History graduate students with a preference for those using oral history in their research.Selectionwill be based on the applicant's academic qualifications (e.g. GPA, GRE scores, distribution of courses, and GPA in courses most directly relevant to the preparation for graduate study in history).
    • Thomas Hamilton Graduate Scholarship in U.S. History:This scholarship will be awarded to one or more outstanding graduate students who intend or have already begun to work toward an M.A. with a concentration in U.S. History.Students who apply for a Graduate or Department Assistantship in the Department of History may apply for the Hamilton Scholarship, but the Scholarship cannot be held concurrently with a Graduate or Department Assistantship.Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.00 overall for undergraduate and graduate work completed.
    • U.S. History Scholarship: Scholarship for a graduate student with a focus on U.S. History, preferably one who wants to teach in Kentucky.

    Part-Time Student and Recipient of Financial Aid?

    Please be aware that, if you are a financial aid recipient, have finalized your enrollment, and will be attending less-than full-time during the Fall and/or Spring semester, or you are projected less-than full-time enrollment for the spring semester and are attending full-time, you may have to submit this form to the financial aid office. You will be notified by Financial Aid.