FAQs for Staff

How are Graduate School Managed fellowships funded?

Graduate School Managed Fellowships awarded by the Purdue Graduate School are funded from endowments established by generous donors and from the Purdue Research Foundation.

Through its fellowship program, The Graduate School financially supports its strategic initiative of increasing the enrollment and matriculation of graduate students who demonstrate superior academic achievements and scholarly abilities through two types of fellowships: recruitment fellowships for incoming graduate students and fellowships for currently enrolled students.

What are the requirements for Graduate School Managed fellowship recipients?

Recipients of Graduate School fellowships must be enrolled full time in a degree-granting graduate program at Purdue. The Graduate School considers full-time status to be a minimum of eight credit hours in each of the fall and spring sessions, and six credit hours during the summer session.

Can Graduate School Managed Fellowships be deferred or “put on hold” for a year?

In consultation with their graduate program office, and then The Graduate School, fellows may elect to defer a fellowship in order to utilize other funding opportunities or to account for a temporary absence from the university.  To defer a fellowship, the departmental graduate program submits a request for deferral using the Graduate School Form 90, providing an explanation for the deferral request in the Special Instructions section. The fellowship is then placed on HOLD, for a period of no more than 3 years (See Fellowship Manual for more information regarding Fellowships Placed on Hold).  Because of the difference in cost of semesters, at no time will a summer semester hold be allowed for use during a fall or spring semester.  Inquiries about deferrals should be emailed to the Fellowship Office (fellowships@purdue.edu).

What happens to the Graduate School Managed Fellowship if a student wants to transfer departments?

On occasion, Graduate School fellows may decide to transfer to another Purdue graduate program. Graduate School fellows interested in transferring departments should contact their current graduate program office, their future graduate program office and the Graduate School Fellowship Office.  Together, the offices will work with the fellow to negotiate the transfer of the fellowship package and any changes that may occur.

Graduate School fellows should be aware that the fellowship award package is an offer and commitment from the original graduate program and not the graduate program to which the fellow wishes to transfer. However, The Graduate School encourages, but does not require, the transfer department to fulfill the fellowship award commitment at the average stipend level consistent with Graduate School fellows enrolled in that graduate program. If a new offer letter is extended to the fellow by the transfer department, copying The Graduate School Fellowship Office is encouraged.

Can Graduate School Managed fellowships be terminated?

Yes, a Graduate School fellowship commitment may be terminated on the rare occasion that the fellow leaves Purdue or when the fellow fails to comply with Graduate School fellowship guidelines.  For example, the student fails to maintain the award terms and conditions found in the Fellowship Manual. When a fellowship is terminated, the fellowship account is closed, and the funds are returned to The Graduate School. Prior to the decision to terminate, the graduate program must consult with The Graduate School Fellowship Office. In general, terminated fellowships will not be awarded to another student.

When a fellowship is terminated, the graduate program will send a letter to the fellow, copying The Graduate School Fellowship Office (fellowships@purdue.edu).

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