Financial Assistance

• Students must have "regular" admission status to a specific graduate degree program
• Students must be in good academic standing
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment status at Oakland University during the semester(s) for which they are appointed
• Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and show satisfactory progress toward completing degree requirements
• Students may not hold other employment positions during the term of appointment, either at Oakland University or elsewhere, without prior written permission from their faculty adviser and Graduate Education
• Students must apply through Handshake

The Graduate School and Career Services have been working together to improve the hiring of Graduate Assistants (GA) through Handshake. Students must apply in Handshake to any open positions they are interested in.

Oakland University supports the Council of Graduate Schools Resolution regarding graduate scholars, fellows, trainees and assistants.

• FERPA Guide (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
• Oakland University statement on Taxability of Scholarships and Fellowships  
• Graduate assistant overview

• How do I apply for an assistantship?
  
  Graduate assistant open positions are posted on Handshake. Please visit the Career Services to set up an account. 
  
  
• When am I able to set up an account on Handshake? 
  
  Once you have been fully admitted to Oakland University and have set up your oakland.edu email address, you will be able to set up an account. 
  
  
• When are students with an assistantship paid? 
  
  Graduate assistants are paid monthly on the last business day of each month during their contract term. 
  
  
• Are Graduate Assistant's required to maintain a minimum grade point average? 
  
  Yes, a minimum of 3.0 (B) is required. 
  
  
• What if I need to resign early from my assistantship? 
  
  If the position is terminated prior to the date set by Oakland in the applicable important Dates Calendar as the last day for "official withdrawal - Full Semester Classes" for that semester, you will be billed for tuition and costs (a) on a pro-rata basis for the remainder of the semester in which your appointment is terminated based upon your residency status as a graduate assistant; and (b) for any future semesters based upon your residency status prior to your appointment. 
  
  
• How many credit hours do I need to register for each semester? 
  
  A graduate assistant must be enrolled in at least 8 credits per semester. 
  
  
• Are there any exceptions to the 8 credits per semester? 
  
  Yes, the semester that you are graduating, you are allowed to be under enrolled. Once you have applied to graduate, this can be reviewed for approval. 
  
  
• Can I work at another location on campus while I am a graduate assistant? 
  
  A full time graduate assistant may not work for or be paid by Oakland in any other employment classification during the same month in which they either worked or were paid as a graduate assistant. 

To be eligible for this fellowship, students must:

• be academically or economically disadvantaged;
• be admitted into an Oakland University graduate degree program that facilitates a career in post-secondary teaching;
• be a citizen of the United States and meet the Oakland University requirements for Michigan residency; 
• be in good academic standing as defined by Oakland University;
• not be a current recipient of a KCP Fellowship Award at another institution;
• not have received another KCP Fellowship Award for the same degree level (master's or doctorate)*; and
• not currently be in default status on any guaranteed student loan and/or a KCP loan.

* Possession of a doctoral degree disqualifies a candidate from holding a KCP Fellowship.
* Current faculty and staff members of Oakland University are not eligible to apply for the KCP-FFF.

All applicants are required to use the State of Michigan's website to apply. The application submission deadline is April 30, 2024. 

Eligible students who are currently enrolled or admitted into a graduate degree program at Oakland University may complete and submit an application to the State of Michigan. Applications must be complete in order to be considered, and include:

• A KCP application form
• Two recommendation forms which should be current and speak to the fellowship
• FFF eligibility requirements and statement form
• A letter from the academic program coordinator or department chair indicating the student will satisfactorily complete his/her intended degree in a reasonable time. For students admitted to master's programs with the expectations of completing a doctorate at OU or other Michigan university, this letter must also address the likelihood of the student being admitted to such a doctoral program.
• A personal statement indicating academic and career goals in post-secondary education
• A resume or curriculum vitae (i.e., a brief statement of the applicant's education and scholarly achievements) 

Before applying for or accepting any scholarship or fellowship, please consult with OU Financial Aid regarding how such an award may affect your financial aid package, including loan eligibility.

A selection committee reviews applications annually and recommends candidates to the Assistant Dean of the Graduate School. Selections are made on a competitive basis using criteria that includes academic performance, research accomplishments and potential, recommendation letters, and personal statements. Fellowship decisions are final and not subject to appeal. 

KCP Fellows agree to complete a master's degree within four years or doctoral degree within eight years of receiving the fellowship, and are obligated, by signed agreement, to remain in post-secondary faculty teaching or approved administrative position at a public or private, 2 or 4 year, in-state or out-of-state post-secondary institution for a minimum of three years equivalent full-time.

Fellows who do not fulfill the teaching and/or other obligations of their fellowship agreement may be placed in default, which results in their fellowship converting to a loan (referred to as a KCP Loan) that he/she repays to the State of Michigan.

KCP fellows should complete the exit interview located in the KCP Fellowship folder once their fellowship is complete.

For questions, please contact (248) 370-2700.