Financial Assistance

Merit Award for a New Graduate Student

The Lowenthal Fund was created to foster research excellence in genetically based neurological disorders in the VCU School of Pharmacy. The Award for Graduate Research will be given as a stipend supplement of $5,000 per year for two years to an outstanding graduate student entering the VCU School of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program as a Ph.D. applicant, and who will be doing doctoral research in genetically-based neurological disorders. Recipients who accept the Award agree they will return the money should they choose to change to a research area outside this field or who fail to remain full-time students in good academic standing for the duration of the Award period.

Upon acceptance into the program, applicants should forward a letter asking to be considered for the Award to the Director of Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Program no later than April 30, 2007 for Fall 2007. The applicant must also include a letter of support from a faculty member in the School who states they agree to mentor the student in this area.

Graduate faculty who have indicated an interest in taking a graduate student in this area include Drs. Bukaveckas, Dukat, Glennon, Fillmore, Slattum and Venitz.

Criteria for Fellowship and Assistantship Awards

Graduate student funding of stipends and/or tuition are sometimes provided to excellent students who remain in good standing. All applicants who apply for admission are automatically considered for available funding. Distribution of assistantships are on a competitive basis, and based on availability of assistantships.

Teaching assistantship assignments are made at the department level each semester. Since funded graduate students are generally considered part-time employees, Teaching Assistantships (TAs), and Research Assistantships (RAs) require that the student perform usually 10-12 hours per week executing duties associated with those awards. Annual evaluation and ongoing feedback by TA or RA supervisors can be used by the student and faculty to determine whether or not a student’s performance is satisfactory. Failure to satisfactorily complete TA or RA duties can result in loss of funding.

VCU information on graduate student financial aid, tax guide, and determination of residency can also be found on the Graduate School website.

Stipend, Tuition and Fees

The current minimum stipend for the School of Pharmacy is currently $15,500. Tuition and fee information can be obtained at VCU Student Accounting.