Requirements and Stipulations for Fellows

University fellows must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average and make satisfactory progress toward the degree. Specific conditions for making satisfactory progress can be obtained from the graduate adviser for the program for the program. Fellowships administered by the Graduate School will be terminated when these conditions are not met.

Graduate students are required to be “full-time” graduate students during any semester in which they are receiving Graduate School fellowship funding.  Full-time status consists of being registered for 9 semester credit hours during the long terms (Fall and Spring), and 3 semester credit hours during the Summer.  Course work not completed in a given session (Fall, Spring, or Summer) must be made up in time to get a grade change form processed before the end of the following long semester. Any such makeup is in addition to the course load requirement given above.  Registration must be confirmed (tuition bill paid) before any fellowship payments will be released.  This means it is important to be pre-registered or the initial fellowship payment for a semester might be delayed.

University fellows are expected to enroll and continue in the graduate program in which they have been nominated. They must obtain advance permission from the Graduate School for any change of major while they hold the fellowship. 

If a fellow elects to transfer to another institution, any offer of fellowship support made by The University of Texas at Austin no longer applies. The fellow should consult the Graduate School to determine the nature and duration of the remaining support to be provided by The University of Texas at Austin.

University fellows are required to remain in residence at The University of Texas at Austin during the tenure of their awards unless the Graduate School has explicitly authorized them to do research or other work elsewhere. 

If you would like to petition to be away from campus during your fellowship period, complete this form and return it to the Graduate School.

University fellows and Teaching or Research Assistants must notify the Graduate School promptly of any change in name, address or plans that may affect the continuation of the award.

Full fellowships (which include tuition and money towards insurance) come with work restrictions as indicated on the summary page of the offer letter.  Opportunities for additional support in the form of a prestigious outside fellowship, an additional UT fellowship, a teaching assistantship/assistant instructor, a graduate research assistantship or other work opportunities need to be reported to the Graduate School.  The Graduate School reserves the right to defer/adjust part or all of the Graduate School fellowship when a student is receiving other funding.  

Opportunities exist for support following the period covered by a fellowship. Typically, such support might consist of another competitively awarded University Fellowship, a Teaching Assistantship or a Graduate Research Assistantship, depending on specific circumstances.