Financial Aid

The College of Information Science and Technology (IST) and Drexel University offer graduate students a wide range of opportunities for both partial and full financial assistance.

Some of these opportunities are based on need while others are based on academic merit. This page describes these opportunities and the procedures for applying. In addition to the aid listed here, tuition reimbursement may be available from a student's employer. Employed students should contact their benefits department.

Please Note:

• Financial aid is available to U.S. citizens only.
  Please see the instructions for International Applicants-Admissions Requirements for any questions regarding financial aid for those students.

• Please note that financial aid is offered only after a student has been accepted to the University and is available only to M.S. and M.S.I.S. degree candidates.

Types of Aid

Tuition Grants
Assistantships
Scholarships
Loans
Deferred Payment Plan
Employee Tuition Remission
Placement Service
Other Sources
Additional Information

Tuition Grants

Several need-based tuition grants are available for both new and current students who qualify. Tuition remission is awarded for up to 50 percent of tuition costs with a maximum of 60 credits. The College awards these grants based on Drexel University's Graduate Financial Aid Office's assessment of need.

To Apply:
Fill out the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" form and return it to the designated address no later than April 1. (After that date, grants will be awarded only if funds remain.) To obtain a copy of the form, write or call Drexel University's Graduate Financial Aid Office.

Students must also notify Placement Director Barbara Welsh in writing of their intention to apply for a grant. Social Security number should be included in the letter.

Assistantships

Several types of assistantships are available each year. Each provides a small monthly stipend and tuition remission of eight credits per term. Students with assistantships usually require two years to complete a master's degree. Assistantships are continued for a second year based on satisfactory performance.

To Apply:
To be considered for an assistantship, answer "yes" to the question about assistantships on the application for admission to the College. To be eligible, applicants must be admitted prior to February 1.

Graduate Assistantships


Graduate assistantships require 20 hours of work per week in the Computing Resource Center or in the administrative offices.

Library Assistantships

Library assistantships are offered to students who qualify for part-time appointments in the University library. Assistants are scheduled for 20 hours of work per week.

Research Assistantships

Depending on the volume of funded research being conducted in the College, some research assistantships may be available. Normally, these are restricted to more advanced students who meet the specific needs of a particular research project.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching assistantships are available for doctoral or advanced M.S. students who qualify and who meet the curricular needs of the College.

Scholarships

(See also: Other Sources)

To Apply:
To request consideration for a scholarship, answer "yes" to the assistantship question on the application for admission to the College.

General Scholarships


Each year the College awards several partial tuition scholarships based on academic merit.

Named Scholarships

The following partial tuition scholarships, based on academic merit, are available each year: the IST Alumni Association John B. Hall Scholarship; and the Beta Phi Mu, Sigma Chapter, Guy Garrison Scholarship.

H. W. Wilson Scholarship:

The H.W. Wilson Foundation offers several partial tuition scholarships, based on academic merit, approximately once every four years.

Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) Scholarship:

A partial tuition scholarship for $1,000 is available for Pennsylvania residents.

To Apply:
Write to the Executive Director, PaLA, 3107 North Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Loans

IST Alumni Loan Fund

Alumni loans are available to qualified students upon completion of at least one full-time term or its equivalent. Full-time students may borrow from this fund as much as the full tuition for four courses. These loans are interest-free if repaid within six months of completing degree requirements; after six months, interest is charged at the rate of five percent per year.

To Apply:
Contact Placement Director, Barbara Welsh

Stafford Student Loan (formerly Guaranteed Student Loan)

The Stafford Student Loan annual limit for graduate students is $7,500 per academic year. If a student applies for a subsidized Stafford Student Loan through a Pennsylvania bank and is rejected or does not receive the full amount applied for, PHEAA automatically offers the student a Nonsubsidized Stafford Student Loan.

To Apply:
Contact participating banks.

Supplemental Loans to Students

Supplemental Loans to Students (SLS) for up to $4,000 per year are available to independent students.

To Apply:
Contact participating banks.

PLUS Loans

A PLUS loan of up to $4,000 per academic year is available to parents of dependent graduate students at a variable rate of interest.

To Apply:
Contact participating banks.

PHEAA-HELP Alternative Loan

The PHEAA-HELP Alternative Loan Program provides loans of up to $10,000 per academic year to Pennsylvania residents and non-Pennsylvania residents attending college in Pennsylvania.

To Apply:
Request an application from the Graduate Financial Aid Office.

Perkins Loan

The Perkins Loan Program provides students with long-term, low-interest loans for educational expenses and is based on the student's computed financial need.

To Apply:
Request an application from Drexel University's Graduate Financial Aid Office.

Deferred Payment Plan

A deferred payment plan is available at Drexel. Information concerning the plan is sent to all students with each tuition bill.

Employee Tuition Remission

Full-time employees of Drexel University receive as a benefit tuition remission for two courses per term.

To Apply:
Contact Drexel's Personnel Office.

Placement Service

The IST Placement Office has listings of part-time and full-time jobs in the Philadelphia area, as well as internships. These positions offer preprofessional experience, and some employers provide partial or full tuition remission.

To Apply:
Contact IST Placement Director, Barbara Welsh.

Other Sources

Other financial assistance is frequently available. Applications should be filed directly with the sponsoring group. For a detailed listing of sponsoring groups and their requirements for aid, see the pamphlet "Financial Assistance for Library Education," available for $1.00 from the American Library Association. Note especially the "National and Regional Awards" section, which includes scholarships from the Special Libraries Association, Medical Library Association, American Library Association, among others.

For Additional Information Contact:

James Baskett, Assistant Director
Graduate Financial Aid Office
Drexel University
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875
(215) 895-2964

Anne B. Tanner, Associate Dean
College of Information Science and Technology
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875
(215) 895-2485

Barbara Welsh, Placement Director
College of Information Science and Technology
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875
(215) 895-2478

Personnel Office
Drexel University
34th and Market Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2875
(215) 895-2775; (215) 895-AJOB

American Library Association
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, Il 60611
1-800-545-2433