Resources for MLIS Students
The Information School offers two types of financial aid assistance for MLIS students: merit-based and need-based.
Merit-Based Financial Assistance for Current MLIS Students
The Information School Financial Awards Committee selects recipients of UW Library and Information scholarships. All incoming first-year MLIS students are automatically considered for these scholarships as part of the admissions process. Continuing MLIS students who wish to be considered should complete an online application. To be considered for need-based financial aid, all first-year and continuing MLIS students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Graduate Staff Assistantships
The Information School offers a limited number of Graduate Staff
Assistantship (GSA) positions to iSchool students each year based on
merit. Graduate staff assistants typically work 20 hours per week on a
nine-month appointment, based on acceptable performance evaluations and
satisfactory progress toward degree. GSA enrolled in the day MLIS
program are eligible to receive a tuition waiver, monthly stipend and
medical and dental benefits.
GSAs at the Information School support faculty with a variety of tasks.
This work can include: class preparation, reference work, literature
searches, conference planning, website creation and maintenance, and
administrative duties. In general, all GSA positions require good
written and verbal communication, ability to work independently, problem
solving, ability to manage competing priorities, and proficiency with
Microsoft Office software. Some positions require more technical
expertise, such as web design or specific software knowledge.
Students are encouraged to apply during the Admissions process, and
throughout the year as other positions come become available.
Instructions on how to apply can be found on our Student Employment
Opportunities page. GSA, Teaching Assistantship (TA), and Research Assistantship (RA)
positions are posted throughout the year on the istujob listserv and via
our Employment Opportunities page.
The McKinstry Libraries Scholarship and Employment Opportunity
The UW University Libraries offer a unique fellowship to MLIS students at the iSchool that combines a scholarship with a paid work experience in the University Libraries system. The successful fellow receives a scholarship and an assignment in a University Libraries unit(s) based on the recipient's interests. This one-year scholarship and job experience is designed to encourage and support underrepresented students from Native American, Hispanic American, African American, Asian American and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander heritages who wish to pursue a career in academic librarianship. Due to the structure of the award and its requirements, only residential MLIS students are eligible for the scholarship and job experience. The scholarship will be granted beginning Autumn Quarter 2006 for three quarters and will be awarded in payments approximately equivalent to the current residential MLIS student tuition rate (Tier III). The recipient may use the funds for any purpose related to their academic life-all or part of tuition, books, fees, or other educational expenses. The award recipient will also be hired to work in the UW Libraries and thus will receive employment compensation over and above the scholarship. In order for the scholarship support to continue each quarter, the recipient must continue to be employed by the University Libraries and be in good academic standing. The scholarship winner will provide a Grade Report each quarter to the Deputy Director or designee, showing a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order for the next quarter’s scholarship award to be released.
The donors of this scholarship, Jill and Joe McKinstry, believe that a diverse learning environment enhances the education of all students and that a UW learning experience should be available to all members of our community. For these reasons, the donors have a strong interest in providing financial assistance to students from ethnic backgrounds that are underrepresented in the library professions. Given this interest, the donors recognize that this scholarship will help support the University of Washington's commitment to a diverse student population.
All applicants to the residential MLIS program will automatically be considered for the award, based on information provided during the application process. Finalists will be notified in March and contacted with more information.
Need-Based Scholarships
The Information School offers a number of fellowships/scholarships based on financial need as indicated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This standard form can be completed online at the FAFSA website. For FAFSA deadline information, visit the UW Office of Student Financial Aid website. Academic merit and overall potential are also considered. The Information School is unable to offer financial aid to international students.
Other scholarships offered by agencies outside the Information School: