PhD Program Funding

Students are encouraged to seek non-departmental funding when appropriate. University resources include the Rackham Graduate School, the International Institute, the Institute for the Humanities, and the relevant International Institute Centers. Rackham also provides links to possible external resources. Any non-departmental funding resources/fellowships that are advertised to departments are forwarded to our graduate students.

The Rackham Graduate School and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) requires all Ph.D. students to register for each fall and winter semester until they complete their degree, unless they are on an approved leave of absence. 

In order to support students to maintain compliance, LSA provides a limited number of tuition-only fellowships (TOFs) during the Fall and Winter semesters. 

As of the Fall 2026, all LSA graduate programs must request TOFs from the college through an application process. TOFs are not guaranteed and are subject to approval based on a student's application meeting the requirements and expectations of the fellowship. 

A TOF is intended for graduate students whose dissertation research requires them to work off campus for a full semester when they would usually be supported by a GSI or other type of position requiring them to work on campus. It should not be used when fellowships or GSI/GSRA (assuming the work off campus relates to the GSRA funding source) is available. 

TOFs cover only tuition (not student fees) and GradCare/Option 1 Dental insurance. Living expenses must be covered by external funding sources. Graduate programs are not allowed to combine a TOF with a stipend from any U-M funding sources, including general, discretionary, or research funds. It is the responsbility of the student to secure funding to cover these costs. 

TOFs cannot be used in the semester in which a student defends and/or files their dissertation. 

Students are advised to connect with the Graduate Coordinator to determine if this fellowship would be a good option for them and if other funding opportunities are available to them.  

The George F. and Celeste Hourani Memorial Scholarship

Current PhD candidates are eligible to apply for the George F. and Celeste Hourani Memorial Scholarship, which supports a MES PhD candidate within the term of their defense.

One award is awarded each academic year. The fellowship consists of full tuition and fees, health care benefits, and a stipend commensurate with a .50 GSI appointment. The award will only be awarded in the intended term of defense.

Applicants must have a record of excellence within the program and be in good academic standing. Applicants must be certain of defense in the next academic year and intend to use this fellowship in that term of defense. Only students whose funding package has come from the University of Michigan are eligible to apply. 

For details or questions, please contact the Student Services Team at mes-gradservices@umich.edu.