Graduate & Continuing Studies

Funding Opportunities

Graduate students at Delta State have a number of funding opportunities including fellowships, scholarships, loans, and Graduate Assistantships. Students may qualify for financial assistance through the university’s Financial Aid Office after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships (GA) offer students the opportunity to work for Delta State. Most assistantships offer free tuition, and some pay a small monthly stipend. Graduate assistantships are competitive. These opportunities provide students an excellent chance to get experience in their chosen field while continuing their education. A graduate assistantship will require an application process, a minimum grade point average, and typically an interview.  In order to be considered for a graduate assistantship, the graduate student must register with the Graduate Studies Office prior to seeking employment or being re-employed at the onset of each academic year.

Graduate Assistantship Application

B.F. Smith Scholarship

The B.F. Smith Scholars Program consists of graduate assistantships for students. The graduate assistantship may be awarded to students with a record of academic achievement and commitment to the Delta region for pursuit of a degree related to the field of Community & Economic development such as community development, finance, marketing economics, political science, sociology, or public administration. Previous awards have been $5,000 per semester. Recipients must have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.25. The recipient cannot be employed full-time outside the University during this time period. 

Recipients will be expected to engage in real-world learning opportunities and produce a final report. To apply for this scholarship submit 1) a graduate school application, 2) an official undergraduate transcript, 3) a cover letter outlining the applicants qualifications, 4) the name, title, address, and phone number of at least three references, and 5) a written statement describing why the candidate wishes to become a B.F. Scholar and how the program can lead to career success, preferably in the Mississippi Delta.

B.F. Smith Scholarship Brochure

Additional Resources

There are a number of additional outside funding opportunities for graduate students which can be found at the following links: