GRADUATE SCHOOL FUNDING
In general, in the U.S., students doing a Ph.D. in a STEM field do not have to pay tuition. In fact, in almost all
cases, Ph.D. students receive a financial package that covers tuition and provides a stipend. This differs from
Master’s programs where students typically pay tuition and do not receive a stipend.
Caltech’s Graduate Studies Office website has a plethora of important information on how funding works at
Caltech. Here are the highlights:
• At Caltech, all PhD students are offered financial support that provides full tuition and covers mandatory
fees, plus a stipend for living expenses throughout their graduate studies at Caltech, provided they are
enrolled full-time and making satisfactory progress toward the doctoral degree, including securing a
thesis advisor and meeting program requirements. The average length of a Caltech PhD is between
five and six years.
• The Caltech graduate stipend rate for the 2023-24 year is $45,000 for 12 months.
• Details of the financial package will differ from student to student. Packages may include university
fellowships, external fellowships, department training grants, individual PI grants, and teaching
assistantships.
• Potential and current Ph.D. students are encouraged to seek external fellowships. External fellowships
are highly desirable. They are not only prestigious but may provide some research flexibility.
Fellowships include:
o National Science Foundation
o Department of Defense
o National Institutes of Health
o Ford Foundation
o Fannie and John Hertz Foundation
Click here for additional information on external fellowship opportunities.
• Additional financial support for students with children
o Enrolled graduate students are eligible to apply for reimbursement for health insurance costs up
to $140 per month per dependent.
o Enrolled graduate students with children can apply to the Parent Support Program. This
fellowship is based on need and can provide up to an additional $10K of funding per year.
Additionally, Caltech has a Child Care Assistance Program that is open to graduate student
parents.
Of course, there are other expenses that go along with being a graduate student. All universities should be
able to provide estimated costs for expected living expenses—rent, food, insurances, etc. Click here for the
current cost of living estimate at Caltech.
