Three forms of aid are available to Psychology Ph.D and Respecialization students and include grants, employment, and loans.

Grants

All Psychology graduate students are automatically awarded a grant for Fall and Spring semesters equal to 50% of tuition charges for the first three years of full time study (or 72 credits of required course work). Students enrolled for 6 or less credits are considered part time, students enrolled for 9 to 12 credits are considered full time. Students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits to be considered for the grant.

Employment

Administrative fellowships offer the recipient a $14,000 award in exchange for 16 hours of employment per week during the academic year (30 weeks). $7,200 of the Administrative Fellowship is credited directly to the recipient’s tuition account ($3,600 per semester), the remainder is paid to the student bi-weekly as hours are worked.  Fellowship responsibilities vary from department to department but might include research, office tasks, data input, customer service initiatives, etc. A list of administrative offices/departments with fellowship openings is available each spring from the Office of Financial Aid and usually includes Student Activities, Admissions, Athletics, Enrollment Research, Ballotti Learning Center, Financial Aid, Career Planning/Placement and others. Applicants must apply directly to each department and contact info for each is also available from the Financial Aid Office.

Administrative fellowships are limited to full time students. However, due to the demanding requirements of the program, only incoming students are eligible to apply for fellowship positions. Please be sure to discuss any employment options with the Psychology Department staff before applying for any form of employment since some students may be required to work within the Psychology Department. 

Beginning in 2004, the President of Suffolk University authorized the Psychology Department to award two, full-tuition fellowships based on both student economic need (as determined by the Financial Aid Office) and commitment to study and treat people from culturally diverse and underserved populations. Please see the OUTREACH Fellowship page for more information.

Students are permitted to hold jobs outside the university, provided they are able to devote 40 hours per week to their program of study.

Loans

Students in need of education loans should complete the financial aid application process to be considered for the best loan options. The application process requires you to complete the forms listed below. 

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

• Suffolk University Aid Application

• Any other documents requested by the Financial Aid Office (i.e. signed copies of federal tax returns, etc.)

Students interested in borrowing education loans without completing the Aid application process should contact the Financial Aid Office for loan opportunities.

Deadlines

The Psychology Department recommends all students complete the FAFSA by February 15 and the Suffolk University application form by April 1.  However, students applying for the OUTREACH Fellowship must file the FAFSA by January 5. 

Renewal Requirements

Financial aid is renewed on an annual basis provided funding levels remain the same and

• the student is making satisfactory academic progress
• if employed at Suffolk, the student’s job performance is acceptable
• if receiving need based funds (i.e. Stafford loans) the same need level is demonstrated
• enrollment status remains the same (i.e. full time, part time)

Loan Deferments

Students must be enrolled at least half-time to maintain in-school deferment status for federal student loans. Students who receive repayment notices from lenders should contact the Registrar’s Office to ensure they are appropriately identified for deferments. 

For more information on programs, deadlines, types of aid, how to apply, please see the Financial Aid Office’s web page.