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College of Engineering

Financial aid for graduate students

Returning students may apply for College of Engineering donor scholarships.  Most of our donors extend financial support to our undergraduate students, but several are available for master's level students.  Read more about the scholarships and process - be aware of the deadlines! If you are an international student, the Office of Financial Aid has a paper form similar to the domestic FAFSA; completing this form may help your eligiblilty to some scholarships. 

Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are appointments made to students enrolled in a doctoral program at Wayne State University. Appointments may be made for one, two or three semesters of the calendar year. These positions usually come with a tuition scholarship, making the positions competitive.

Biomedical Engineering

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: May 15 annually
  • Announcement date: June 15 annually
     

Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: February 1 annually 
  • Announcement date: April 15 annually
     

Civil and Environmental Engineering

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: May 24 annually
  • Announcement date: June 7 annually
     

Computer Science

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: March 31 annually
  • Announcement date: June 26 annually
     

Electrical and Computer Engineering

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: May 31 annually
  • Announcement date: June 15 annually
     

Engineering Technology

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: May 31 annually
  • Announcement date: June 15 annually
     

Industrial and Systems Engineering

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: March 31 annually
  • Announcement date: June 30 annually
     

Mechanical Engineering

  • Application form
  • Application deadline: March 31 annually
  • Announcement date: July 1 annually

 Dean's Conference Presentation Award

This award is designed to help graduate students offset the cost of presenting research at a virtual conference or scientific meeting. Applications are due by the 1st of every month (October - April) and will be reviewed by the College's Research Advisory Committee. Awards cannot be applied retroactively to conference that have already passed. Up to two students can be awarded every month during the academic year. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a College of Engineering major and in good academic standing. Proof of abstract acceptance and registration fees is required.

Application closed.

Graduate Student Professional Travel Award (GSPTA)

This award provides support to a full-time master's or Ph.D. student who is presenting a scholarly paper or poster at a major professional meeting. Students are required to request half of the total amount of funding from the Graduate School (up to $1000.00). The remaining amount is to be covered by the Department and PI; with the College of Engineering providing up to $400 in matching funds.

Please submit your funding request as early as possible once you receive confirmation that you will be a presenter at the conference.

Learn more and apply

Hank and Joy Kuchta Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Endowed Ph.D. Scholarship

Established in 2017, the Hank and Joy Kuchta Endowed Scholarship recognizes scholastic achievement, encourages continued progress, and provides assistance to Wayne State University students in financing their doctoral education in chemical engineering and materials science.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Wayne State University is known for its high-impact research in energy storage, catalysis, computer simulation, biomolecular engineering, nanotechnology, and manufacturing sustainability. Graduate students work and publish with renowned researchers whose programs are supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, and others. The department maintains active relationships with chemical and manufacturing companies, many of them located in Southeast Michigan, to connect our students to industry leaders and potential employers. Wayne State's Ph.D. graduates go on to successful careers in academia and industry.

Awards will be up to $5,000 in addition to the student's regular stipend.

Eligible to newly admitted, full-time Ph.D. students, in either chemical engineering or materials science, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Henry KuchtaHenry M. Kuchta (Hank) graduated from Wayne State with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1980. He was a partner in the creation of Northern Tier (NTR) Acquisitions Co. in 2006 and then retired from Northern Tier Energy (NTE) as president and CEO in 2013.

He began his career in various refining, engineering and financial positions, including assignments overseas in his 12 years with the Exxon Corporation. Hank joined the Tosco Corporation in 1993, serving in several commercial and refining positions, and advancing to vice president of corporate development until 2001. Following Phillips Petroleum's acquisition of Tosco in 2001, Hank served as business development manager until 2002 when he was appointed executive vice president of refining for Premcor, Inc., a refining and petroleum products company. At Premcor, Hank became chief operating officer in 2002 and president in 2003, holding both titles until 2005.

Hank was inducted into the Wayne State University College of Engineering Hall of Fame in 2006.

Contact Jeffrey Potoff

Michael E. Conrad Graduate Research Award

Each year, the Graduate Committee recognizes the computer science graduate student who has published the most significant research article in the field of computer science during the prior year. The award is named in memory of the late Dr. Michael Conrad. He was known internationally for his early work in biocomputing and artificial life. His research attracted the attention of prominent scientists from a wide range of disciplines. He led a vibrant research group and was an exceptional mentor to students and faculty alike. Full-time graduate students in computer science, both domestic and international, are invited to submit an article or paper that has appeared in a nationally recognized journal during the previous calendar year.

Students interested in being considered for this award should contact their faculty advisor for information on the nomination process.

Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program

The goal of the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is to prepare graduate students for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) careers critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission, by providing graduate thesis research opportunities at DOE laboratories.  The SCGSR program provides supplemental awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students (US citizens or lawful permanent residents) to pursue part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE laboratory/facility in areas that address scientific challenges central to the Office of Science mission. The research opportunity is expected to advance the graduate students’ overall doctoral thesis while providing access to the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at the DOE laboratories/facilities.

Application closed.

SCGSR program

Ralph H. Kummler Award for Distinguished Achievement in Graduate Student Research

In memory of the late Dean Emeritus Ralph H. Kummler, the College of Engineering has established the Ralph H. Kummler Distinguished Achievement Award in Graduate Student Research to recognize distinguished research accomplishments of engineering Ph.D. students.

The award(s) will be presented to up to two College of Engineering Ph.D. students annually. Previous Kummler Awardees are not eligible to apply. The award will consist of $1,000.

Application closed.

Thomas C. Rumble University Graduate Fellowships

The Thomas Rumble Fellowship is awarded through the Graduate School and has three categories based on various stages of the Ph.D. process: recruitment, retention and completion. All Rumble Fellowship categories provide a stipend of $20,000 for the academic year in addition to a tuition scholarship that provides payment of 7.5 10 credits for each of the fall and winter semesters at the effective tuition rate. The fellowship provides subsidized medical, vision and dental insurance.

Availability of Rumble Fellowships: Availability of new Rumble Fellowship are determined annually by the Graduate School.

When available: The Rumble Fellowship positions will begin on August 18 annually and extend through either December 31 (Fall semester appointment) or May (full AY appointments).

Where application materials may be obtained: The application can be found online below. You will need to authenticate in using your WSU access ID. Please fill out all of the required fields and attach your personal CV and recommendation letter from your Ph.D. advisor.

Biomedical Engineering

  • Application deadline: May 1 annually
  • Announcement date: May 15 annually

Application closed.

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