STUDENT HANDBOOK | School of Graduate Studies
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STIPENDS
OTHER SUPPORT
EXPECTATIONS
TUITION WAIVERS
FEES
AWARDS
LOANS
MEDICAL CARE & HEALTH INSURANCE
Financial Support
Stipends
Students enrolled full-time in the PhD program are eligible for stipend support. These stipends are $32,000 per year. Students in the PhD program who transfer to the MS program are eligible for stipend support following enrollment in the MS program, provided that the funding for the support is derived from either the student’s mentor’s account or departmental accounts. These stipends are $32,000 per year. Students who have passed their qualifying examinations are encouraged to apply for predoctoral fellowship awards through external granting agencies or intramural support (see below). Maintenance of eligibility for stipend support is determined on an annual basis by the departmental evaluation of the individual student's performance during the previous academic year.
Other Support - Extramural
Students are encouraged to apply to granting agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), American Heart Association, Department of Defense, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute etc., to obtain individual predoctoral fellowships. Applicants should consult the Department Graduate Program Director and the Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer regarding the possibilities. Students are encouraged to submit their dissertation proposals to NIH as individual National Research Service Awards (NRSA). Students who receive competitive fellowships that pay for their stipend are eligible to receive a yearly stipend up to $34,000, with any supplement needed to achieve that level to be provided by the Department or their advisor.
Other Support - Intramural
Competitive predoctoral fellowships are offered through the LSUHS intramural grants program, contingent on availability of funds. These fellowships are available to PhD students who have successfully passed their preliminary and qualifying exams. Students may apply for one of three different fellowship awards. The Malcolm Feist Predoctoral Awards are available to students who are involved in cardiovascular research. The Carroll Feist Predoctoral Awards are available for students whose dissertation project is an area of cancer research. The Ike Muslow Predoctoral Fellowships are available to students involved in areas of research that are not cardiovascular or cancer-related. These fellowships are $34,000 per year, initially awarded for one year, and renewable for up to two additional years, depending on the progress of the project. Additional information is available on the Office of Research website. Applications are accepted at both April and October submission deadlines, as described on the Office of Research website.
Expectations of Support
Full-time students who are receiving stipends or fellowships are expected to devote their full efforts toward their academic studies and research projects. These students are not eligible to receive additional funds from employment at LSUHS, and should not seek outside jobs and/or part-time employment. Students in financial difficulty should discuss this matter with their mentor, the Department Graduate Program Director, the Head of the Department, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and/or the Office of Student Financial Aid. Temporary (emergency) loans are available through the School of Graduate Studies (see below).
Tuition Waivers
Students enrolled full-time in the PhD and MS in Biomedical Science programs are eligible for full tuition and non-resident fee waivers. Maintenance of eligibility for these waivers is determined on an annual basis by the departmental evaluation of the individual student's performance during the previous academic year. Students enrolled in Examination Only or Diploma Only (see above, under Regulations) are enrolled for zero hours and the tuition of $100 is waived. Part-time students enrolled in the MS in Biomedical Science. program may be eligible for tuition waiver depending on availability of funds. Priority for tuition waivers is as follows: PhD students, followed by full-time MS in Biomedical Science students, followed by part-time MS in Biomedical Science students, depending on availability of funds.
Student Fees
Student fees are determined each year by a vote of the LSU Board of Supervisors and consist of student union, health, yearbook, activity and operational fees. Most fees are waived for graduate students. Students will receive an invoice by e-mail from the Bursar. For details, see earlier sections under Regulations, under Registration.
Graduation Fee
There is a one-time graduation fee for graduating students. This fee is charged for the semester in which the student intends to complete the degree requirements by the deadlines described in this handbook. When registering for the semester that the student pays the Graduation Fee, (s)he also pays the required student fees. This fee pays for the diploma and dissertation/thesis binding (2 copies). If the student does not graduate at the end of the semester in which (s)he pays the Graduation Fee, (s)he is charged a diploma reorder fee for each following semester that (s)he is enrolled past the planned graduation semester.
Fee Payment Options
- Website Portal - the fee bill can be paid with a credit card or bank account in the self-service portal available on the Bursar’s Website. Please note there is a 2.5% fee applied to all credit card and debit card payments.
Travel Awards
Full-time students enrolled in the PhD program are eligible to receive travel awards to attend scientific meetings. Each student is eligible to receive one award per academic year. Prior to making travel arrangements, the student must submit a Request for Student Travel Funds Form, a signed Prior Approval Request for Travel Form, and a copy of the abstract they will be presenting at the meeting. The student must be the first author and the presenter of the abstract. The Graduate School will match up to $500 for a student’s travel expenses. Additional funds must be provided from other sources and the sources must be indicated on the form. Only students who attend and participate (i.e., give an oral or poster presentation or contribute significantly to organizing) in Graduate Research Day activities are eligible for travel awards.
Short-term Emergency Loans
Short-term emergency loans are available to graduate students through the Office of Graduate Studies, Yang Fang Memorial Fund. Up to $500 may be borrowed with no interest for up to 90 days. After 90 days, a 10% penalty is charged. Loans to students enrolled for the first time for the fall or spring semester may be considered by petition to the Associate Dean. Loans must be approved by both the Dean and Associate Dean. Loans MUST be repaid in full prior to registration for the subsequent semester in the program. No loans will be given during the final semester of enrollment in the program. Barbara Tillman, Project Coordinator for the Office of Graduate Studies, has information on these funds.
Medical Care and Health Insurance
All students are required to maintain comprehensive health insurance while enrolled in a graduate program. The Office of the Registrar coordinates the Student Health Program for graduate students and will answer questions about the Student Health Program. Insurance must cover the student for the entire semester for which the student is registered. Non-compliance at any time during a student's enrollment may result in suspension and/or dismissal. Options include:
Option 1. LSUHS employee health insurance plans (in these plans, insurance premiums are automatically deducted from the monthly stipend). These plans are the most comprehensive and are recommended for most students. Information is available in the Benefits Office (318-675-5632).
Option 2. Outside plans, such as those from a spouse or family member though which you would be covered, or those covering specific groups of students.
Option 3. The United Health Care plan, coordinated by Gallagher Health, does not require a waiver.
LSUHS employee and Option 2 require the completion of an online waiver form (available from the Registrar) that states that student’s health insurance will be maintained for the semester through either the employee plan or another outside plan. All outside plans must meet the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act guidelines. An e-mail message with instructions will be sent to the students from the Office of the Registrar.