Information for New Graduate Students

Our Graduate studies are focused within individual departments and programs. Visit the department websites for advice and information regarding specific programs and policies.

All full-time students must complete the Health Insurance Selection Process by June 30th every year.
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Appointments & Awards

The University of Rochester, as a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, subscribes to the Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants. In accordance with that Resolution, "when a student accepts an offer before April 15 and subsequently desires to withdraw, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made."

The continuity of all appointments and awards, and the eligibility for reappointment, require that the student make satisfactory academic progress. Any award can be terminated at any time if the academic work is regarded as unsatisfactory.

Trainees and Research Assistants who receive stipends from sources outside of the University, should expect their appointments to last the full stated term, but the terminal date, in fact, is usually contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Assistant Teaching

All graduate students matriculated for the Ph.D. degree are required to perform a certain amount of teaching assistance as part of their education. The amount and nature of the teaching varies according to departments and programs. This requirement is independent of whether the student is receiving a fellowship, scholarship, or assistantship, although teaching assistants will, by virtue of their assignments, automatically fulfill this requirement or more.

External Work Policy

Full-time students holding fellowships, assistantships, or scholarships may not accept other employment.

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Financial Aid

While most financial awards are made on a merit basis, need-based sources of funding may be used when appropriate. The University's objective in administering these policies is to make the optimum use of its funds for financial aid to students and to increase the level of stipends for all students.

As a graduate student, you may borrow up to a maximum of $20,500 per year through the Federal Direct Loan Program, beginning in the 2009-2010 award year. A maximum of $8,500 may be available in the form of a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, and the actual amount you borrow may not exceed the total cost of attendance. To determine your eligibility you must file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov, and complete the Graduate Application Form with the Financial Aid office. Eligibility is determined based upon the enrollment plans of the student for the academic year as reported by the student. Any changes to enrollment may change loan eligibility. Students should file the FAFSA and explore the possibility of need based financial aid before they apply for an alternative loan. There are alternative loans available for students that require additional funding, do not qualify for federal aid or are not interested in borrowing through the Federal Direct Loan Program.

All students must notify the Graduate department/program and the Financial Aid Office if they are receiving an outside award or benefits, including recipients of the GI Bill or other Veteran's Administration benefits. It is essential that students notify appropriate departments of any outside assisstance, since the financial aid package cannot exceed the cost of attendance. If the departments are notified afterwards of an outside award or benefit, the financial aid package is subject to change.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

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New York State Residents

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant is a need-based award offered to financially and academically eligible full-time graduate students who are residents of NYS. Currently, TAP grant awards for graduate students range from $75-550 per year. In order to be eligible for a TAP grant, a student must incur a tuition liability.

Express TAP applications will be made available on line or via mail to students who indicate both their state of legal residence as New York and by listing a NYS school on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student must be a legal resident of NYS for at least 12 months prior to the term for which they are seeking financial assistance from NYS. Residence in NYS solely for the purpose of attending a NYS institution does not qualify as meeting this criterion. Residency Affidavits may be required for students whose residency is in question by the school or NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). These forms are available from HESC at the number listed below.

You may contact HESC at (888) 697-4372 or visit their website if you have questions regarding your application status. The University of Rochester school code for graduate students is 5140. The deadline for applying for a NYS TAP grant is May 1st of the academic year for which the student is seeking financial assistance.

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Registration

Classes begin Tuesday, September 1, 2009. First-year graduate students should plan to arrive on campus at least one week before the first day of classes (especially if you are looking for housing) to allow time for consultation with departmental advisers, course selection, registration, and orientation sessions. Registration must be completed, for all credit-carrying courses and research, within two weeks from the first day of classes or a late registration fee will be charged.

No registration is completed until all pre-entrance medical requirements are met, including the filing of the Health Service History form.

All students holding teaching or research assistantships must register for at least nine hours (and not more than twelve) in order to be considered full-time. Students not holding assistantships must register for at least twelve hours in order to maintain full-time status; this also includes holders of Fellowships and Traineeships who are not teaching or department assistants.

Required Credentials

  1. Each entering student must eventually provide all documents requested in the application form (even for the case that an offer is made prior to receipt of all such documents). These include transcripts and two letters of recommendation. Graduate admission is, in addition, contingent on completion of the requirements for a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, unless an exception is explicitly noted in the letter of appointment.
  2. The following materials were not requested with the application, but must be received before you can register:
    1. Supplementary or final transcript, including certification of the completion of any degrees
    2. Health History Form (which will be mailed to you upon receipt of acceptance of offer)
  3. New York State Public Health Law #2165 requires that all full-time and part-time students enrolled for at least six credit hours per semester (or 4 quarter hours per quarter), born on or after January 1, 1957, attending a college or university in New York State, must provide evidence of immunity to Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. The law also mandates that full time students indicate receipt of information about Meningococcal disease and the availability of vaccination to students. Students from countries where tuberculosis is endemic must be screened for TB using a PPD test. The University of Rochester also requires tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years, preferably containing Pertussis. Students not in compliance with the immunization requirements will be withdrawn from school and required to leave campus. All of this information is included in the Health History Form packet that you receive after accepting admission to the University. Further information about the immunization requirements is on the UHS web site (www.rochester.edu/UHS) in the Student Services section.
  4. The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all students receiving assistantships from the University to submit proof of their employment eligibility. Failure to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) will result in termination of an assistantship.
    1. Documents that establish both identity and employment eligibility are (a) a US passport, (b) certificate of US citizenship, (c) certificate of naturalization, (d) an unexpired foreign passport with attached employment authorization or (e) an alien registration card with photograph.

      OR
    2. You can prove your identity by providing a US Military Card, a state-issued driver’s license, or a state-issued ID card with a photograph that includes your name, sex, date of birth, height, weight, and color of eyes. You can establish employment eligibility by producing either an original Social Security number card (other than a card stating it is not valid for employment), a birth certificate issued by state, country, or municipal authority bearing a seal or other certification, or by an unexpired USCIS Employment Authorization. The Employment Verification forms (Form I-9) will be available in your Department/Program office. A departmental representative will be happy to certify it for you.
Measles Vaccination:
REQUIRED proof of TWO vaccinations after 1/1/68 and after first birthday (dates must be more than 365 days after birth). The full date (day, month, and year) and signature must be provided in order to accept vaccinations. In many cases, students have only received one measles vaccination and will need to receive the second one. If the first shot was even one day before their first birthday, they will need two doses. Specific verification that these vaccinations were received must be provided. If the student had the illness, the date of the illness and signature of the diagnosing physician are required. Students may also prove immunity by providing a positive lab report from a protective titre.
Mumps Vaccination:
REQUIRED proof of vaccination after January 1, 1969 and after first birthday. If the student had the illness, the date of illness and signature of the diagnosing physician are required. The student may also prove immunity by providing a positive lab report from a protective titre.
Rubella Vaccination:
REQUIRED proof of vaccination after January 1, 1969 and after first birthday. If no vaccination, proof of positive rubella titre is the only other acceptable documentation.

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Student Health Program

The Student Health Program for full-time students has two parts: (1) the mandatory health fee and (2) health insurance.

(1) The mandatory health fee, which is paid by all full-time students through their term bill, covers the cost of visits with physicians, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses at the University Health Service, short-term psychotherapy at the University Counseling Center, health education services, and public health/disease prevention programs. The cost of the mandatory health fee is $576 per year for 2009-2010. (The mandatory health fee generally increases by 3-5% each academic year.)

(2) In addition to the mandatory health fee, all full-time students must have health insurance. Students can enroll in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) insurance plan offered through the University Health Service or remain on their own health insurance. Each year before the start of classes, all full-time students must complete the online Health Insurance Selection Process to indicate their health insurance coverage. Health insurance generally covers the cost of services such as hospitalization, surgical procedures, and diagnostic tests and x-rays; the mandatory health fee does not cover these services. The benefits covered by health insurance will vary depending on the student’s insurance plan. The cost of the BCBS insurance is $1,152 per year for 2009-2010. Students who choose to remain on their own insurance plan can waive this portion of the fee. (The BCBS insurance fee increase is usually within 10% each year.)

Insurance options for married students: Due to the high cost of health care, it is recommended that students have health insurance coverage for their families who are with them in Rochester. The University Health Service offers two options, one for married students without children and one for married students with children. Married students without children can enroll their spouse, as well as themselves, in the BCBS insurance plan available through the University Health Service. In this case, both the student and the spouse pay the mandatory health fee and the health insurance fee. Married students with children can enroll in a family insurance plan offered through the University Health Service for themselves, their spouse, and their children. The cost for 2009 is approximately $1,000 per month. The student must also pay the mandatory health fee. Students with children may want to check Healthy New York, a program available for residents of New York State who meet eligibility criteria.

All non-immigrant international students and their families who are in the United States with them must comply with immigration requirements and University policies governing health insurance.

Further information about the University Health Service and health insurance for students is available on the University Health Service web site.

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Summary of Expected Expenses

2009-2010
ItemExpected Cost
(18 credits)		Expected Cost
(24 credits)		Expected Cost
(32 credits)		Expected Cost
(36 credits)
Tuition $21,312 $28,416 $37,888 $42,624
Health Fee $576 $576 $576 $576
Health Insurance $1,152 $1,152 $1,152 $1,152
Living Expenses $15,750 $15,750 $15,750 $15,750
Books $1,150 $1,150 $1,150 $1,150
Repatriation Fee
(International Students) 		$30 $30 $30 $30
Activity Fee $20 $20 $20 $20
Total $39,990 $47,094 $56,566 $61,302

$6000 additional expenses for a spouse or child dependent

Subtract any fellowship/scholarship from the estimated expenses The student will have to provide financial support for any remaining amount. Acceptable evidence of financial support is an original, recent (less than 3 months old) bank statement. If the bank statement is not personal the student must include a letter from the sponsor indicating their relationship to the student and their support of the student’s studies.

Visa Forms

International students should return the SEVIS New Student Request for I-20/DS-2019, "Proof of Financial Support Form" and any supporting documents, such as a passport copy and an original bank statement if needed, to their Department/Program as soon as possible after the admission offer has been accepted. The International Services Office (ISO) is unable to issue necessary immigration documents without complete and accurate information.

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