San Jose State MLIS Program

Graduate School
1

<p>I’m wondering if assistantships are available for students of this program (or any online program). </p>

<p>If so, how do they work since students attend 100% online?</p>

<p>Thank you : )</p>

2

<p>I know several people who have done online MLIS program at different schools (Drexel, UWisc, San Jose, Arizona, Denver)–myself included. No assistantships available at any of them for distance students. Any assistantships (and in LIS there aren’t many) are usually reserved for on campus students.</p>

<p>You should check with the ALA and your state library association. The ALA has several scholarships available (uber competitive though). Many state library associations offer smallish scholarship also (few thousand $$—but every little bit helps.) I also got a tuition discount at Drexel thru my state association.</p>

3

<p>That’s good info to know–thank you! I’m about to see what I can find about fin aid for grad students in general…I keep hearing that schools want you to accept admission before they will give a clue about financing o_O</p>

4

<p>As a grad student you’re independent for FAFSA which means you have a higher borrowing limit. The Stafford annual limit for grad students is $8500/year. </p>

<p>[FinAid</a> | Loans | Student Loans](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Student Loans - Finaid)</p>

<p>Additionally you’re eligible for Grad Plus loans</p>

<p>[FinAid</a> | Loans | Graduate and Professional Student PLUS Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/loans/gradplus.phtml]FinAid”>Graduate and Professional Student PLUS Loans - Finaid)</p>

<p>And they want you to enroll because there is NO finaid, but they’re eager to fill their classrooms.</p>

5

<p>If you’re an on-campus student you may be offered work/study in the library, but generally any assistantships are reserved for PhD students.</p>

6

<p>There’s a split in the financial aspects of graduate education. Graduate students in research-based programs generally are funded through assistantships. Those in professional programs, however, are usually on their own for funding.</p>