Undergraduate
Undergraduate financial aid is handled through the Stanford University Financial Aid Office — you do not apply directly through the School of Engineering or the Civil and Environmental Department.
Stanford Financial Aid Office | View
The Stanford Financial Aid office provides comprehensive information on financial aid alternatives for Undergraduate and Graduate Students. You will find everything you need to know about financial aid at these two links.
Stanford Admissions Financial Aid FAQ | View
Stanford Undergraduate Admissions has an FAQ that answers some common questions about financial aid.
Graduate
The department maintains a large and continuing program of financial aid for graduate students. Fellowship or scholarship awards for the academic year typically range from $1,000 to $57,000. A generous student loan program is also available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Applications requesting financial aid must be submitted by the first application deadline in early December and mark on the application that they would like to be considered for aid.
Teaching assistantships are normally awarded only to Engineer and PhD candidates, and can pay a salary for as much as one-half time work during the academic year. Research assistantships are also available. Engineer and PhD candidates may be able to use research results as a basis for the thesis or dissertation.
Assistantships and other basic support may be supplemented by fellowship and scholarship awards or loans.
Fellowships
The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department selectively awards several merit-based department fellowships to entering graduate students. These fellowships cover tuition only. To be considered for assistance as an entering student, it is only necessary to submit the Application for Admission to Graduate Study with supporting documents and check the "Financial Aid" checkbox on the application. Note that there is an earlier deadline for fellowship consideration - See the Application Timeline & Deadlines page for more information. Notification regarding fellowships is sent to recipients in March and April.
Stanford Graduate Fellowship (SGF)
This prestigious, three-year university award is intended for outstanding candidates in graduate study leading to the PhD. The fellowship is selectively awarded to entering graduate students who are pursuing (or plan to pursue) a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering. The award provides a quarterly stipend and tuition for eight to 10 units per quarter for 12 quarters. The selection process is demanding, requiring nomination and confirmation by both department and university committees.
Visit the SGF web site »
Graduate Fellowship
The School of Engineering and Department Fellowships are awarded to entering CEE graduate students. Awards are based upon merit achievement including undergraduate academic performance and research potential. Recipients receive eight to 10 units of tuition per quarter and a quarterly stipend for anywhere from three to five quarters.
We strongly recommend that students apply for fellowships from outside resources such as the National Science Foundation and the Department of Defense, as well as many other possible sources.
Assistantships
Research Assistantships
Research assistantships (RAs) are available to continuing MS and PhD Students, and more rarely, new graduate students. In most cases, assistantships are awarded by individual faculty who have the necessary research funding. Typically, students who have successfully arranged for an RA appointment have secured it by contacting a faculty member directly. A majority of Research Assistants are in the PhD program; there are occasional RA appointments available for MS students who have a firm commitment to attaining a PhD.
Research assistants typically receive eight to 10 units of tuition coverage and a monthly salary (paid semi-monthly and subject to state and federal tax withholding) in exchange for 20 hours of work per week. Some students opt to work fewer hours per week, and their salary and tuition benefits are adjusted accordingly. For the PhD program, incoming students are awarded RA positions based upon the information provided in their admissions application. Current students typically contact faculty members to arrange research assistantships.
Teaching and Course Assistantships
Teaching/Course assistantships are offered primarily to continuing students and to a very limited number of entering graduate students. TA/CAs typically provide recipients with tuition coverage of eight to 10 units and a monthly salary (paid semi-monthly and subject to state and federal withholding), requiring 20 hours of work per week. Reduced hours (10 hours per week) may also be available, with salary and tuition benefits adjusted accordingly. TA/CA-ships are offered by individuals who have been allocated the necessary funds to hire a TA/CA. TA/CAs must attend the TA Orientation offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Students who have been offered an assistantship should refer to the CEE Graduate Handbook for details on how to get paid.
Graduate Student Loans
U.S. citizens and permanent residents can apply for need-based loans. Information regarding student loans and application packets can be obtained by calling the Stanford University Financial Aid Office at (650) 723-3058 or emailing financialaid@stanford.edu.
