Student Funding

Although not all students are guaranteed financial aid, several options are available through the University and the Department of Linguistics & TESOL.

Scholarships (College of Liberal Arts)

Did you know the College of Liberal Arts also offers numerous scholarships to better support our undergraduate and graduate students? Each of these scholarships is funded by an alumnus, friend of the university or foundation that recognizes and supports the goals of COLA and The University of Texas at Arlington. Visit the College of Liberal Arts’ scholarship page to learn more!

Fellowships, Scholarships, & Loans (UTA Office of Financial Aid)

Check out the Graduate School's Financing Your Education page.

Fellowships and Assistantships (LING & TESOL Department)

New PhD Students (Academic Year 2025-2026)

All newly admitted Ph.D. students in Linguistics are considered for a variety of funding including the Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). The GTA will provide a generous stipend for 9-months of study, paying $19,468 per year until you successfully complete your comprehensive exams – typically during your third year. From the semester following the successful completion of your comprehensive exams, your salary will increase to $20,818 per year. The GTAship also provides you with full resident fees & tuition for full-time study each academic year for up to 5 years and health insurance coverage. Read the full assistantship selection criteria (pdf) (Note this award will cover fall and spring semesters of full-time enrollment.)

Applicants should submit their materials by February 15, 2025 for fullest consideration for admission and for this funding program. Interested students should contact ling.advisor@uta.edu for more information.

Assistantships are generally awarded to Doctoral students only. GTAs teach primarily undergraduate linguistics classes and may be assigned to assist a particular faculty member for a set number of hours per week.

Selection Criteria for UT Arlington Linguistics Fellowships & Assistantships

The following guidelines are used by the department to determine awards for both new and continuing students.

  • Preparation for graduate study [New Students]
    Preference is given to those applicants who: (a) have a documented interest in linguistic study (typically through previous coursework in a language-related discipline) and (b) have submitted all paperwork for admission to a Linguistics Degree Program.
  • Full-time participation in the Linguistics Program
    Preference is given to those applicants who enroll in at least nine (9) hours of graduate level courses for each the fall semester and the spring semeste
  • Promise of Successful Program Completion
    Preference is given to those applicants who fully intend to complete a graduate degree at UT Arlington. For those students continuing in the program, preference is given to those who are making timely progress toward a degree.
  • Potential for future success as a scholar
    Preference is given to those applicants with outstanding academic records.
  • Potential for Teaching/Research [For GTA/GRA Awards only]
    For GTAships, preference is given to students who meet the University's criteria for teaching regularly-scheduled for-credit courses; in most cases, the minimum educational requirement is a Master's Degree. For GRAships, preference is given to students with those skills and knowledge best suited to assist linguistics faculty members with on-going research projects.