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The first steps as a doctoral student can be stressful. There is a lot of pressure to focus on the future, and money can be a constant source of worry.

To help students hit the ground running and ease their financial burden, the ������ɫ Graduate School will provide the Doctoral Transition Award to incoming doctoral scholars in research-based degree programs who have been offered assistantships.

Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Terrence Deak shared why the award can be a lifeline for new students.

“Incoming doctoral students are often overwhelmed by their full load of courses, rapid immersion in doctoral research, and service as teaching assistants,” Deak said. “This all happens while settling into a new community and with significant financial barriers. The Doctoral Transition Award was designed to help diffuse that early financial strain, in the hopes of promoting a successful transition for new doctoral students.”

This one-time $750 award will help bridge the gap until the students’ first paycheck, giving them the freedom to set up their new environment and focus on their research from the moment they arrive.

“The Graduate School uses data-driven strategies to identify areas where we need to invest,” Deak said. “With doctoral admissions becoming hyper-competitive nationwide, we identified new student transition as a key area for investment. The Doctoral Transition Award underscores our commitment to incoming students and doctoral education more generally.”

Funds will be available in early August or early January and are intended to incentivize early arrival and transition. Payments will be made via a physical check, which must be picked up in person at the Graduate School to confirm the students’ enrollment.

Deak added that he is grateful to ������ɫ President Anne D’Alleva and Provost Donald Hall for their bold investment in recruiting and retaining incoming doctoral students.