Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy Program

Applicants interested in funding opportunities should indicate so in the appropriate section of the Graduate School application. Two options are generally available: competitive university-wide fellowships offered by the Graduate School and graduate assistantships provided on a funding-available basis. If provided, graduate assistantships are designed to provide experience directly relevant to their advisor’s research. Income from assistantships may aid a student over the course of their studies; however, it is important for students to appreciate that assistantships, if provided, are not guaranteed. Summer funding may not be available or may be dispersed late into the summer. According to the graduate school, “The holder of a full assistantship devotes one-half of available time to studies and one-half (approximately 20 hours per week) to assistantship duties, while the holder of a half assistantship ordinarily devotes three-quarters of available time to studies and one-quarter (approximately 10 hours per week) to assistantship duties.” Students with assistantships have a lower academic credit minimum (6 credits per semester versus 9 for unfunded) to accommodate their assistantship project. We encourage prospective applicants to review the Graduate School information on tuition and fees, and financing options.

We strongly encourage filling out your FAFSA as early in the application process as possible – even if you have not sent in applications for admission. The FAFSA application is a generic application. Do not forget to send FAFSA results to the school. Students with graduate assistantships should be aware that school fees are not covered by a tuition waiver (but can be covered by student loans). The current rates for school fees are available via the Bursar’s Office (typically amount to about $1,000). These are due prior to class registration.

The Office of Financial Aid typically offers loan money to both funded and unfunded students. This is based on anticipated needs for rent and other living expenses (more information available through The Office of Financial Aid). The Office of Financial Aid will determine the amount you are eligible to receive (on average, funded students are offered under $10,000 each semester, which is split between subsidized and unsubsidized student loans).

The Graduate Student Senate also offers short-term, interest-free loans in case of an emergency to graduate students performing coursework on the Storrs campus (in addition to students in the Public Policy or Marine Sciences programs). To qualify for the loan, students must also be in good financial standing with the university. Additional information on these interest-free loan opportunities, including supplementary criteria, can be found online.

The Graduate School also offers a list of internal and external funding opportunities available for students.

• Office of Financial Aid
• The Graduate School
• Neag School of Education – Dean’s Doctoral Scholar Program

We strongly encourage filling out your FAFSA as early in the application process as possible – even if you have not sent in applications. Do not forget to send FAFSA results to the university.

There is no formal application process for graduate assistantships in the LEP Program. Indicate your interest in a position on your application. A limited number of assistantships are available through the department. It is advisable to work with your prospective advisor to pursue assistantship opportunities that may be available.

Most graduate assistantships involve research. There are also some opportunities for teaching. That experience is outlined and managed by the faculty member. It is advisable to contact those offices and work with your prospective advisor to pursue assistantship opportunities.

In recognition of these assistantships' support, the tuition and a portion of health care (but not fees) are provided by the grant/contract funding agency or through the University.

Please visit the Graduate School's dedicated GA Resources page for more information.

The Residence Requirement of the University of Connecticut requires that a student devote “full-time effort to studies, without undue distraction caused by outside employment”. In addition, funded students may not work outside of their assistantship without prior approval from their advisor. According to this policy, your advisory committee may record and report a “description of the nature, extent, and period(s) of outside employment” to the graduate school as part of your Plan of Study. Please discuss your plans with your advisor in advance. We recommend that students inquire about loan programs available through Financial Aid to offset costs of attendance if necessary.

Graduates typically seek positions in academia or research organizations. For instance, recent graduates have taken faculty positions at such institutions as Montclair State University; other graduates are working at government agencies, such as senior analyst at the Texas Education Agency.

The Leadership & Education Policy Ph.D. concentration is distinct from the Educational Leadership Department’s Ed.D. in several ways. Our LEP Ph.D.:

• is designed for students interested in becoming researchers or working in academic settings
• caters to full-time students who often can work on campus in graduate assistantships (depending on available funding)
• emphasizes courses in research methods (many advanced courses are required or recommended)

The Ed.D.:

• is designed for practitioners and accommodates full-time professionals
• places an emphasis on a student’s problem of practice
• a capstone research project is completed instead of a dissertation
• is cohort-based