The Department is committed to providing financial aid to M.A., M.F.A. and Ph.D. candidates in Spanish to support their graduate studies and to enhance their development as teachers and scholars. Our primary means of financial support is through teaching assistantships awarded competitively. The typical appointment is for a half-time teaching assistantship, for which the teaching responsibilities are two sections each semester of Elementary or Intermediate Spanish in the General Education Program in Spanish Language. 

For the academic year 2020-2021, the stipend for a half-time teaching assistantship is $20,064. The contract between the University and the teaching assistant union COGS also guarantees that TAs receive a full tuition scholarship for the typical full-time graduate student load (9 semester hours/semester) and that the University pay 50% of mandatory fees associates with full-time enrollment at the University. These salary rates and employment benefits are subject to change with each yearly contract.

Students who maintain good academic standing (GPA of at least 3.25), meet expectations in their progress toward degree, and maintain a good teaching record may normally expect two years of support while completing the M.A. or M.F.A. degree and four years of post- M.A. support while pursuing the PhD. Support beyond four years for the Ph.D. is rare and is awarded only in exceptional circumstances. Students who wish to be considered for financial support should apply directly to the department.

Awards and Scholarships

The Four-year Award provides full tuition and stipend in first and final years; students serve as half-time research assistants or teaching assistants for the remaining two years. Recipients receive full tuition for the entire academic year and a summer session stipend. The awards may be made only to a person applying for initial admission to the UI Graduate College. 

The department offers one competitive fellowship, the Ruth Davis Fellowship Award, which provides full summer support for one advanced doctoral student for one summer.

Fellowships for Creative Writing MFA

The Department will propose three students to receive an Iowa Arts Fellowship, providing M.F.A. students with a first-year fellowship, and allowing them to focus on completing their scholarly activities and creative works.This is a one-year award that includes an $18,500 academic year fellowship stipend plus full tuition and 50 percent of the mandatory fees. Students will be responsible for the remainder of their mandatory and course fees. Recipients of the Iowa Arts Fellowship may not hold other paid appointments (TA, RA, instructor) during fellowship years. The appointing program must provide the remaining years of support. 

Other Financial Aid

• Applications and additional information on financial aid can be found at the UI Office of Financial Aid page,
• the T. Anne Cleary International Research Fellowship,  
• Stanley Awards for International Research  
• Ada Louis Ballard and Seashore Dissertation Year Fellowship. 

The Graduate College

The Graduate College offers a wealth of information about funding for graduate students. For more information, visit Funding your UI Education in the Graduate College at the University of Iowa.