Virtually all domestic graduate students accepted into our program receive funding through teaching assistantships, research assistantships and fellowships. Many of our graduate students, both domestic and international, also obtain substantial summer internships in industry, earning additional funding as well as exceptional real-world experience in the process.

The maximum number of semesters for Teaching Assistantship (TA) support is four semesters for M.S. and eight semesters for Ph.D. (not counting TAs awarded for the summer terms). Extensions to the limits are commonly approved on a case by case basis.

The above time limits on support do not apply to Research Assistant (RA) support. Such support for qualified students is encouraged, and may be implemented any time during your graduate career. RA support will not affect the maximum number of semesters of TA support.

All graduate students are eligible for merit-based scholarships and fellowships that are awarded in addition to TA and RA stipends.

AAPG Grants

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation offers two Grants-in-Aid. Deadline is January 31, 2012.

The Michel T. Halbouty Memorial Grants are awarded annually to deserving graduate students studying geology at Texas A&M University, through the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Grants-in-Aid Program. It is endowed by the AAPG Foundation through a generous contribution by Michel T. Halbouty. For information see the Michel T. Halbouty Memorial Grant.

The James W. Milliken Memorial Grant is awarded annually through the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Grants-in-Aid program to a deserving graduate student. First preference is given to those studying at Texas A&M University. The Milliken Grant is endowed by the AAPG Foundation through generous contributions from his family and friends. For information see the James W. Milliken Memorial Grant.

To apply for either see the AAPG site.

Funding of International Students

The following statement informs international students of limited resources available for their support. "Typically, international students are not supported financially by the Department of Geology and Geophysics during their first year of graduate study. Therefore, they must provide a 'Confirmation of Financial Resources' statement to the International Student Services office before the I-20 form can be issued. Students meeting this financial requirement, and who achieve excellent academic enrolling in our department should be prepared to finance their entire course of study from their own financial resources." Estimated expenses for International students can be found on the International Student Services web page (international.tamu.edu/iss). Select "Prospective Student", "Once Admitted", and then "Estimated Expenses". This statement does not apply to international students funded by Research Assistantships through individual faculty members.