Financial Support

Financial Support

The vast majority of graduate students will take out loans to pay for graduate school. Thus, students interested in the MA in Applied Geography want tips on how to pay for graduate school.

Students must establish residency to ensure proper tuition fees are charged

Information regarding tuition classification and residency requirements can be found by following the link below:

Tuition Classification

The Financial Aid Office will assist with student loans, work study qualifications, and potential student grant money. Information regarding financial aid can be found by following the link below:

Financial Aid

Graduate School Funding

Students may qualify for a variety of fellowships, scholarships, and grants from the Graduate School. Information regarding funding from the Graduate School can be found by following the link below:

Graduate School Funding 

Geography Department Funding

Students may qualify for departmental funding on a competitive basis. Below are current options for funding in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies:

  1. Teaching Assistantship: One TA is funded each year on a competitive basis. A call for nominations is sent out to faculty in mid-February for both new and returning students.
  2. "Women in Geography" graduate scholarships: These scholarships are awarded twice a year on a competitive basis (application deadlines April 15 and November 15). A call for applications will be sent out to both new and returning students. More information here.
  3. Western State Resident Tuition Classification Program in: Residents from AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, and WY are eligible to pay in-state tuition rates for the MA in Applied Geography Program. The benefit is automatically applied to qualified students' tuition bill based on their legal residency (for more information about this unique opportunity, see http://www.wiche.edu/wrgp).
  4. Research Assistantship: A limited number of our students receive funding from faculty members through research grants in which they are a research assistant (RA). This source of income is variable, depending on grants that individual faculty members have at any given time. Please contact whomever you think might be your advisor for information on possible research funding opportunities. Recognize that the availability of these positions varies greatly and is not guaranteed.

Other Funding Opportunities

There are many avenues to pursue to supplement or cover educational expenses. There are numerous geography-related firms in Colorado Springs that hire our students. Most will be flexible with work and school schedules, some offer tuition reimbursement, and some have internship programs with our department. Discuss these options with the Graduate Director or other faculty members. Additionally, AmericCorps also provides educational stipends to students.