Financial Support for Graduate Students
The Department is committed to providing financial support for non-provisional graduate students who are making satisfactory progress toward the completion of their degree(s). That commitment must be tempered, of course, in light of availability of Department, College, and University funds, or outside research grants. The financial support base also includes several fellowships sponsored by industry, private donations, as well as fellowships awarded by the Graduate School. Nominations for University Graduate Fellowships and awarding of departmental fellowships are made by the Department on a competitive basis within the guidelines of eligibility established by the sponsor of the fellowship. Students admitted provisionally may petition for support.
Decisions about the
financial support of students are normally made at the time of the annual
review of progress. It should be
emphasized that ongoing appointments as Teaching or Research Assistants require
both a financial base and an academic decision on the candidate's
merits. Support may also be given,
however, on a temporary (semester by semester) basis as particular needs for
teaching or in research projects arise.
P.I.s of projects may also pay hourly wages to students without support
as needs arise.
Students without support may
also consider drawing upon loan funds available in the College (see Dean Crane,
l03 Deike Building). Tuition‑Grant‑in‑Aid
support is also available from the Graduate School in particular circumstances
(Associate Dean for Fellowships, 3l7 Kern Building).
The P.D. Krynine Memorial Fund
The Krynine Fund is named
for P.D. Krynine, long-time Penn State Professor and world-recognized
sedimentary petrographer. It has grown to be our largest source of support for
graduate student research apart from faculty grants and contracts. The fund was
traditionally used for summer field support, but in recent years it has
supported a broader range of research related activities. Current guidelines
are given below:
1. The 1964 articles of
stipulation state that the fund will "...provide grants to graduate
students enrolled in The Geological Sciences who need additional funds to
pursue their thesis research.” Grants from the fund will be available to any
graduate student in good standing enrolled in the graduate programs of the
Department of Geosciences.
2. The number of grants
awarded annually and the amount of each award will be determined by the
selection committee (the Graduate Program Committee) and the Department Head.
The yearly total sum of grants will not exceed the amount of earnings available
for award.
3. Grants will cover
expenses in thesis research, including field expenses, use of laboratory
equipment, and travel to national or regional meetings to present results of
research. Grants will not pay wages or stipends and will not cover costs of
food or general subsistence. Requests for funds supporting summer research will
be ranked ahead of requests for travel funds.
4. The GPC will evaluate
applications and make recommendations to the Department Head. Applications will
be evaluated based on the academic achievement and progress of the student and
scientific worthiness of the thesis research proposed. In accordance with the
1964 stipulations, the GPC will also ensure that the student presents genuine
need for funds in addition to those available from grants, contracts, and
outside sources.
5. Krynine Fund awards are made twice each year. Applications for a Krynine Fund grant should be submitted by September 15 and March 15. Under no circumstances will a Krynine Award be made for expenses already incurred. Three copies of the signed application should be submitted to the Graduate Program office (303 Deike) by 5 p.m. of the due date. If the application due date falls on a weekend or University Holiday, applications are due the first working day after the due date. The application should include a student's statements on the thesis project and on the specific research or activity for which funds are requested, a detailed budget and a statement on other monies available or sought.
Graduate Assistants, all international students and their dependants and full-time graduate fellows are required to have health insurance coverage. The University provides a health insurance benefit as part of the assistantship contract. The University will pay 80% of the annual premium for the Penn State Student Health Insurance Policy for graduate assistants and fellows. The remaining percentage will be automatically deducted from the student's assistantship stipend. The University will not supplement, nor will a payroll deduction be made, for insurance policies other than the Penn State Student Insurance Plan.
Injury and sickness insurance underwritten by Mega
Life and Health is registered graduate students taking 1 or more credits, their
spouses, and eligible children. Information and applications are available at
the Student Insurance Office, 320 Grange Building, University Park, PA 16802
(814-865-7467). In addition, Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance is
available through the Graduate Student Association at group rates for graduate
students, undergraduates taking 6 or more credits, and postdoctoral students
and dependents. Information about the Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan is available
from the Graduate Student Association, 111B Kern Building, University Park, PA
16802 (814-865-4211).
International students, their spouses and children,
and all graduate assistants and full-time graduate Fellows are required to have
health insurance that meets certain criteria established by the University
Student Insurance Committee. These students must show proof of health insurance
at the Student Insurance Office, or they may purchase the Penn State Student
Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan.
The University contributes 80 percent of the premium
for graduate assistants and full-time graduate Fellows enrolled in the plan
administered through University Health Services' Student Insurance Office. Any
spouse/child coverage is the responsibility of the student.
Graduate Assistants who have adequate alternate
medical coverage and who do not wish to be enrolled in the Penn State Student
Health Insurance Plan must submit a waiver application with the Student
Insurance Office, 320 Grange Building.
The University will not supplement nor will a payroll deduction be made
for other insurance policies. In order
to be granted a waiver, alternate plans must meet certain standards as
established by the University Student Insurance Committee. This Committee will
approve or disapprove the waiver application. Graduate Assistants who do not
apply for a waiver will be automatically enrolled in the Penn State Student
Insurance Plan. (Note: Applications for a waiver demonstrating adequate
alternate insurance must be submitted on a yearly basis each Fall.). For further information, contact the Student
Insurance Office, 865-7467. The Terms of Offer of a Graduate Assistantship and
General Conditions of Graduate Assistantship Appointments describes the
university policy regarding health insurance.