Financial Aid and Assistantships

Does St. John’s offer any financial assistance?
The School Psychology Programs offer excellent funding opportunities. Fellowships are available for PsyD students only. Currently most of our first year Psy.D. students are funded with an assistantship or fellowship (this includes tuition remission and possibly stipend, and requires you to work 16-20 hours/week). Fellowships are competitive and based on your on application and interview to the program (GRE scores, GPA, research experience, etc.). Fellowships are within the Psychology Department and students work for a faculty member. Students can have a fellowship for up to 2.5 years. Assistantships are available in other departments throughout campus including Theology, Student Life, Wellness Center, Athletics, Freshmen Center, Provost Office, etc. Students apply for an assistantship like applying for a job, including a resume and an interview, and then have to be selected for the position. Psy.D. students can have an assistantship for up to four years. Assistantship openings are announced through emails to the school psychology students. All fellowships and assistantships are renewable on a yearly basis and not guaranteed for more than a year (based on availability and job performance). Please click here for more information.

How much of tuition is covered with an assistantship or fellowship?
Full-time fellowships and assistantships provide tuition remission for a maximum of fifteen credits and sometimes, a stipend. Recipients are prohibited from outside employment for the duration of their contract with the University. The University requires recipients to maintain a full time course of study and work a minimum of fifteen hours per week in their respective department.

Can I work full time while attending your program?

You are permitted to work full time if you do not have an assistantship or fellowship. Classes start in the late afternoons (with no class on Fridays). However, presentations and colloquia are held throughout the semester during late morning and early afternoon hours. In 2nd year, students are also required to see clients at our Clinic for Psychological Services to complete assessments, and students must schedule their sessions outside of class time. In 3rd year, Psy.D. students are required to complete an externship 3 days per week.

When would I find out if I am awarded a fellowship or assistantship?
Students are typically notified after acceptance if they will be receiving a fellowship. Students will not know at that time what professor they will be matched with. Typically in August, close to the start of classes, students are assigned to a professor to work with for their fellowship. Once officially accepting an offer of admission, students can begin looking for and applying for assistantships. The school psychology programs will notify students of any assistantship openings around campus as they become aware of them.

Where can I find more information about Financial Aid?
For financial aid, all graduate students are eligible for the same federal loans, subsidized and unsubsidized. In order to receive financial aid, students must complete a FAFSA online in the spring of the year prior to the academic year they want to receive financial aid. For more information on financial aid click here.