Admissions: Master’s Degree Programs

The School of Forestry & Environmental Studies offers four two-year master’s degrees: the professionally oriented Master of Environmental Management (M.E.M.) and Master of Forestry (M.F.), and the research-oriented Master of Environmental Science (M.E.Sc.) and Master of Forest Science (M.F.S.). For individuals with seven or more years of relevant professional experience, a one-year midcareer option is available for the Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry degrees. (See Degree Programs for more information.)

Learning about F&ES

The best way to get to know the School is to come to New Haven to visit, if possible before submitting an application. Three open houses for prospective students are held during the fall term (in October, November, and December); a fourth is held in April for admitted students. The open houses offer full-day programs, including breakfast and lunch. Participants meet faculty, students, and staff to learn about the mission and goals of the School, degree requirements and course work, opportunities for research and applied projects, career development, and life at Yale.

Information sessions are held on Thursday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. during the months of September through January when school is in session. Prospective students meet with members of the Admissions staff and current students. Please e-mail fesinfo@yale.edu or call 800.825.0330 to register for an information session. F&ES faculty and staff also conduct outreach events around the United States and abroad. The Admissions event schedule is posted at http://environment.yale.edu/8/admissions.

We encourage prospective students to visit campus at other times if they are unable to attend an open house or information session. Please note that no visits will be scheduled during March because of the Admissions decision-making process. It is best to visit campus on a Monday through Thursday if possible. Few classes are held on Fridays, which are generally reserved for field trips and research. Visitors are welcome to sit in on classes of interest with no advance notice; the class schedule each term is posted on the “Academics” page of the F&ES Web site. Feel free to contact directly any faculty member whose work is of interest to you; e-mail is best. We do not conduct formal interviews. To schedule a visit, please contact us at fesinfo@yale.edu.

Finally, we will be pleased to correspond with you about the School by e-mail, or you may schedule a telephone conversation with our Admissions staff. The Admissions Web site is full of information about the School, and printed copies of information may be requested at fesinfo@yale.edu.

Application Procedures

The application form for admission to the F&ES professional and research Master’s degrees (M.E.M., M.E.Sc., M.F., or M.F.S.) may be acquired online at https://apply.environment.yale.edu/apply. This form includes complete instructions for the application requirements.

Questions concerning admission or the application process should be directed to fesinfo@yale.edu, 203.432.5106 or 800.825.0330.

The priority deadline for Master’s application consideration is January 5, 2009. Individual admissions files completed by this date are guaranteed to receive a review by the Admissions Committee. Applications and supplemental materials may be submitted after this date, but there is no guarantee that they will be considered by the Committee. Therefore we encourage serious applicants to submit all necessary materials to the Office of Admissions prior to the January deadline.

Previous applicants planning to reapply to F&ES must submit a new application form and current application fee, an updated résumé/curriculum vitae, transcripts depicting all academic work not included in the previous application, and one new recommendation letter. Admissions records including application forms and supplemental materials are held for two years by the Office of Admissions; therefore, files submitted prior to the fall 2007 admissions cycle are no longer available. Provided reapplication occurs within two admissions cycles, all previously submitted supplemental materials held by the Office of Admissions will be incorporated into the new application.

Preparation for Admission

The School welcomes individuals from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds including the biological and physical sciences, engineering, social sciences, mathematics, humanities, or interdisciplinary programs. A disciplinary focus with some interdisciplinary breadth is valuable. Introductory course work in the biological and physical sciences, the social sciences, and college mathematics allows students to take greater advantage of courses at the graduate level. Students with adequate undergraduate breadth also have better access to graduate course offerings in other professional schools and departments of the University.

Experience has demonstrated the special value of a short list of selected courses that provide a good foundation for all master’s programs in the School. Therefore the Committee on Admissions favors applicants who have successfully completed a combination of the courses listed below before beginning a degree program at the School. For this reason, it is highly recommended that applicants have at least (a) two college courses in mathematics, (b) two college courses in the biological sciences, (c) two college courses in the physical sciences, and (d) two college courses in the social sciences. The specific courses listed under each distribution area are judged to be most suitable for helping students gain the maximum benefit from Yale course offerings.

1. College mathematics—two courses selected from:
   1. calculus
   2. statistics
   3. linear algebra
   4. discrete mathematics
2. Biological science—two courses selected from:
   1. introductory evolutionarybiology
   2. introductory ecology
   3. botany
   4. zoology
3. Physical science—two courses selected from:
   1. general chemistry
   2. general physics
   3. geology/earth science
   4. hydrology/soil science
4. Social science—two courses selected from:
   1. anthropology
   2. introductory economics
   3. political science
   4. sociology (micro and macro)

Students may contact the Admissions staff to receive guidance in arranging their undergraduate programs in anticipation of graduate study at Yale.

Application Requirements

Candidates for admission must hold a four-year baccalaureate degree or an equivalent international degree, and are required to provide the following materials:

1. A completed application form.
2. A résumé/curriculum vitae.
3. A personal statement discussing career plans and the reasons for applying to F&ES (600-word maximum).
4. One official transcript or mark sheet from each college and/or university attended. Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by official/certified English translations. A certified translation of the diploma certificate must also be provided if the transcript does not include the date of graduation and the type of degree awarded.
5. Three letters of reference (academic and/or professional). The submission of the recommendation form and a one (1) page letter is expected.
6. An official GRE, GMAT, or LSAT score report (copies will not be accepted).
7. An official TOEFL or IELTS score report if English is not a native or customary language of instruction (copies will not be accepted).
8. The application fee ($70 online, $90 paper).

All application materials should be sent to the Office of Master’s Admissions, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven CT 06511-2509, U.S.A.

All applicants must hold a bachelor’s-level degree and demonstrate satisfactory academic achievement, but there are no arbitrary standards or cutoffs for test scores or grade point averages. Letters of reference from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarship, professional activities, leadership skills, and career goals are especially valuable. Additionally, letters from undergraduate professors and/or professional supervisors are preferred. The School looks for students capable of making effective contributions to scientific knowledge or to professional service in addressing environmental problems. Special weight is given to relevant experiences obtained subsequent to graduation from college. Clarity regarding professional career goals is a critically important part of the applicant’s personal statement. Faculty review teams read the applications submitted to the master’s degree programs. Final admissions decisions rest on an integrated assessment of the components described above.

When taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), applicants should indicate the School’s Institution Code Number 3996 or 3TJ-WT-45; no department code is necessary. Applicants taking the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) must contact the Office of Admissions for special instructions. For further information, please visit the following Web sites: www.gre.org, www.mba.com/mba, or www.lsac.org. Official GRE and GMAT test results will be sent directly to the School by the testing services and generally arrive two to three weeks after the examination date. Please plan accordingly so that scores will arrive by the January application deadline.

English as a Second Language Training Requirement

Applicants for whom English is not a native or customary language of university instruction must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). When taking either test, applicants should indicate the School’s Institution Code Number 3996; no department code is necessary. Additional information about TOEFL can be found by visiting www.toefl.org/index.html. Information about IELTS can be found by visiting www.ielts.org. Official test results will be sent directly to the School by the testing service and generally take two to three weeks to arrive.

We require minimum TOEFL scores of 100 on the Internet test, 600 on the paper test, and 250 on the computer test. A minimum score of band 7.0 is required for the IELTS.

The Admissions Committee may require as a condition of acceptance that applicants for whom English is a second language, whose undergraduate degree work has not been conducted in English, or whose application suggests such a need, complete a six-week instructional program in written and spoken English conducted by Yale’s Summer and Special Programs (or an equivalent program elsewhere).

This program begins in late June, preceding the summer training modules in technical skills, and includes fourteen hours per week of language instruction as well as general orientation to the United States, New Haven, and Yale University. For information about this program, which is available to all matriculating students, please contact the Yale English Language Institute, PO Box 208355, New Haven CT 06520-8355, U.S.A., or visit their Web site at www.yale.edu/eli.

Applicants are required to submit official copies of their academic records in English along with an explanation of the associated scoring and/or grading systems. During the application review process, international aplicants may receive a phone call from the Office of Admissions’s English as a Second Language (ESL) representative.

Admissions: Doctoral Degree Program

The doctoral program is designed to develop the broad knowledge, analytical powers, technical skills, and creative thinking demanded of leaders in environmental and natural resources disciplines. Applicants should hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field related to natural resources such as forestry, or in a relevant discipline of the natural or social sciences such as biology, chemistry, economics, or mathematics.

Application Procedures

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is administered jointly by the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Applications for the Ph.D. program can be obtained from the Web site of the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at www.yale.edu/graduateschool/admissions/ index.html, or by contacting the Yale Graduate Admissions Office, 320 York Street, New Haven CT 06511; telephone, 203.432.2771. The application deadline for the Ph.D. program is January 2, 2009. Doctoral education involves a close pairing between the student and a faculty adviser. Before applying to the doctoral program, applicants must identify and contact one or two faculty members who would serve as their major advisers if accepted to the program.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test is required of all applicants. Contact GRE-ETS, PO Box 6000, Princeton NJ 08541-7670; telephone, 609.771.7670; Web site, www.gre.org.

International applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied for at least two years at a university where English is the primary language of instruction are required to present evidence of proficiency in English by satisfactorily completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants should take the test no later than November, and no earlier than eighteen months prior to application. For information regarding registration, dates, and test centers, contact TOEFL/TSE Services-ETS, PO Box 6151, Princeton NJ 08541-6151; telephone, 609.771.7100; e-mail, toefl@ets.org; Web site, www.toefl.org.

Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses

Tuition and Fees, 2008–2009

Master’s Programs

The 2008–2009 tuition for master’s degrees (Master of Environmental Management, Master of Forest Science, Master of Environmental Science, and Master of Forestry) is $28,400. Tuition for special students is based on the number of courses taken. The School reserves the right to revise tuition as it deems appropriate. Tuition does not include the required University hospitalization insurance fee, or materials fees charged by other schools and departments in the University.

Two-year master’s students must pay full tuition for two years, regardless of the number of courses taken.

For 2008–2009, a single student should also anticipate expenses of $1,200 for books and supplies, $1,614 for health insurance, and living expenses of approximately $12,926 for room and board.

Doctor of Philosophy Program

The tuition for the Ph.D. degree is $30,500. Most doctoral students receive a School fellowship that covers the cost of their tuition and provides a stipend for the first five years of their program. Doctoral students must pay a nominal continuing registration fee for no more than four years thereafter.

For 2008–2009, students should also anticipate expenses of $1,395 for books and supplies. A single student can expect living expenses of approximately $16,215 (9 months) and $21,624 (12 months).

Registration

All students in the master’s programs must register for courses using the online registration system (available at www.yale.edu/sis) within the normal shopping period. The shopping period is the first two weeks of classes for the fall and spring terms (see calendar). A penalty of $25 will be charged for late registration.

International students are required to complete a nonacademic registration at the Office of International Students and Scholars prior to their regular academic registration.

Part-Time Program

The charge per term for part-time students is 25 percent of tuition for one course, 50 percent for two courses, 75 percent for three courses, and full tuition for four or more courses.

Continuous Registration

Master’s degree students who wish to pursue their research through a six-month or one-year internship are permitted to do so and are considered enrolled on a full-time basis (student is entitled to continue membership in the Health Plan and defer student loans). Upon return, the student will register as a full-time student and pay tuition for the period needed to complete his/her degree requirements. Students may not register for regular course work while on continuous registration status. A fee of $1,000 per term for this continuous registration is charged under this option.

Tuition Deposit

Upon acceptance of admission, a deposit of $500 payable directly to the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies is required to hold a place in the entering class. If a decision is made not to matriculate, the deposit will not be refunded.

Tuition Rebate and Financial Aid Refund Policy

On the basis of the federal regulations governing the return of federal student aid (Title IV) funds for withdrawn students, the rebate and refund of tuition are subject to the following policy.

1. For purposes of determining the refund of federal student aid funds, any student who withdraws from the School of Forestry for any reason during the first 60% of the term will be subject to a pro rata schedule which will be used to determine the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. A student who withdraws after the 60% point has earned 100% of the Title IV funds. In 2008–2009, the last days for refunding federal student aid funds will be November 10, 2008 in the fall term and March 30, 2009 in the spring term.
2. For purposes of determining the refund of institutional aid funds and for students who have not received financial aid:
   1. 100% of tuition will be rebated for withdrawals which occur on or before the end of the first 10% of the term September 12, 2008 in the fall term and January 21, 2009 in the spring term.
   2. A rebate of one-half (50%) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals which occur after the first 10% but on or before the last day of the first quarter of the term September 27, 2008 in the fall term and February 6, 2009 in the spring term.
   3. A rebate of one-quarter (25%) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals which occur after the first quarter of a term but on or before the day of midterm: November 1, 2008 in the fall term and March 4, 2009 in the spring term.
   4. Students who withdraw for any reason after midterm will not receive a rebate of any portion of tuition.
3. The death of a student shall cancel charges for tuition as of the date of death and the Bursar will adjust the tuition on a pro rata basis.
4. If the student has received student loans or other forms of financial aid, rebates will be refunded in the order prescribed by federal regulations; namely, first to the Unsubsidized Federal Stafford, Subsidized Federal Stafford loans, if any; then to Federal Perkins loan; next to any other Federal, State, private or institutional scholarships and loans; and, finally, any remaining balance to the student.
5. Loan recipients (Stafford, Perkins or YSL) who withdraw are required to have an Exit Interview before leaving Yale. Students leaving Yale receive a mailing from Student Financial Services with an exit packet and instructions on completing this process.

Student Accounts and Bills

Student accounts, billing, and related services are administered through the Office of Student Financial Services, which is located at 246 Church Street. The telephone number is 203.432.2700.

Bills

Yale University’s official means of communicating monthly financial account statements is electronically through the University’s Internet-based system for electronic billing and payment, Yale University eBill-ePay.

Student account statements are prepared and made available twelve times a year at the beginning of each month. Payment is due in full by 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the first business day of the following month. E-mail notifications that the account statement is available on the University eBill-ePay Web site (www.yale.edu/sis/ebep) are sent to all students who have activated their official Yale e-mail accounts and to all student-designated authorized payers. It is imperative that all students activate and monitor their Yale e-mail accounts on an ongoing basis.

Bills for tuition, room, and board are available to the student during the first week of July, due and payable by August 1 for the fall term; and during the first week of November, due and payable by December 1 for the spring term. The Office of Student Financial Services will impose a late charge if any part of the term bill, less Yale-administered loans and scholarships that have been applied for on a timely basis, is not paid when due. The late charge will be imposed as follows:

Nonpayment of bills and failure to complete and submit financial aid application packages on a timely basis may result in the student’s involuntary withdrawal from the University.

No degrees will be conferred and no transcripts will be furnished until all bills due the University are paid in full. In addition, transcripts will not be furnished to any student or former student who is in default on the payment of a student loan.

The University may withhold registration and certain University privileges from students who have not paid their term bills or made satisfactory payment arrangements by the day of registration. To avoid delay at registration, students must ensure that payments reach Student Financial Services by the due dates.

Charge for Rejected Payments

A processing charge of $25 will be assessed for payments rejected for any reason by the bank on which they were drawn. In addition, the following penalties may apply if a payment is rejected:

1. If the payment was for a term bill, a $110 late fee will be charged for the period the bill was unpaid.
2. If the payment was for a term bill to permit registration, the student’s registration may be revoked.
3. If the payment was given to settle an unpaid balance in order to receive a diploma, the University may refer the account to an attorney for collection.

Yale University eBill-ePay

There are a variety of options offered for making payments. Yale University eBill-ePay is the preferred means for payment of bills. It can be found at www.yale.edu/sis/ebep/. Electronic payments are easy and convenient—no checks to write, no stamps, no envelopes, no hassle. Payments are immediately posted to the student’s account. There is no charge to use this service. Bank information is password protected and secure, and there is a printable confirmation receipt. Payments can be made twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, up to 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the due date to avoid late fees. (The eBill-ePay system will not be available when the system is undergoing upgrade, maintenance, or repair.) Students can authorize up to three authorized payers to make payments electronically from their own computers to the student’s account using Yale’s system.

Use of the student’s own bank payment service is not authorized by the University because it has no direct link to the student’s Yale account. Payments made through such services arrive without proper account identification and always require manual processing that results in delayed crediting of the student’s account, late fees, and anxiety. Students should use Yale eBill-ePay to pay online. For those who choose to pay by check, remittance advice with mailing instructions is available on the Web site.

Yale Payment Plan

The Yale Payment Plan is a payment service that allows students and their families to pay tuition, room, and board in ten equal monthly installments throughout the year based on individual family budget requirements. It is administered by the University’s Office of Student Financial Services. The cost to enroll in the YPP is $100 per contract. The deadline for enrollment is June 20. For additional information, please contact Student Financial Services at 203.432.2700 and select “Press 3” from the Main Menu. The enrollment form can be found online in the Yale Payment Plan section of the Student Accounts Web site: www.yale.edu/sfas/financial/accounts.html#payment.

Master's Financial Aid, 2008–2009

Policy and Procedures

The School offers financial aid packages that could include scholarships, student employment, and loans to students with demonstrated financial need. In order to be considered for financial aid, students must submit the required financial aid applications by February 15. The level of funding for each student is determined at the time of admission; therefore, it is critical that all financial aid application deadlines are met. Students must apply for aid each year; however, the amount of aid will remain the same in the second year as long as there is demonstrated financial need and the student remains in good academic standing.

Financial aid materials are updated annually, incorporating new regulations, changes in eligibility requirements, and other pertinent information. New financial aid applications are available in November of the year prior to matriculation—November 2008 for matriculation in fall 2009. New forms are available at the School’s Web site, www.environment.yale.edu/about/Financial-Aid-Forms/, or from the Financial Aid Office anytime after November 15.

Yale College students applying for the Fifth Year Deferred program at F&ES apply for financial aid in the February before the term of enrollment; joint school applicants must apply for F&ES financial aid at the time of their application for admission to F&ES.

U.S. citizens requesting financial aid must complete:

• the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• a School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application
• a Family Support Form, available on the School Web site.

International students requesting financial aid must complete:

• a School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application
• a Family Support Form, available on the School Web site.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Students who demonstrate financial need may receive a scholarship to cover a portion of the student budget. Because funds are limited, scholarships are awarded to the top admissions candidates with demonstrated financial need who complete their applications by the stated deadlines. In combination with employment and loans, these students can meet the full cost of their education. In addition to School scholarships, there are several special scholarship awards. These scholarships range in amount and are awarded on the basis of need, professional promise, and other criteria specified by the donors who provide funding for these scholarships. Students are automatically considered for all scholarships by completing the School’s Financial Aid Application and the FAFSA.

NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ALL STUDENTS

Jabe Blumenthal Scholarship
Leland Burt Scholarship
Leonard Carpenter Scholarship
Elias and Ann Clark Scholarship
Strachan Donnelley Scholarship
Strachan and Vivian Donnelley Scholarship
Enid Storm Dwyer Scholarship
Edith and Johannes Fröndt Scholarship
Boyd Evison Scholarship
John S. Griswold Scholarship
Stuart H. Harrison Fellowship
M. Albin Jubitz Scholarship
Marvin Klemme Fellowship Fund
John A. MacLean Scholarship
Wendell A. Mottley Scholarship
Caroline Niemczyk Scholarship
Carl F. Norden Family Scholarship
Charles F. Wilson Memorial Fund
Ray L. Wilson Scholarship Fund
Frank Wisneski Scholarship

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR U.S. STUDENTS

Beinecke Scholarship

Philip Laurance Buttrick Fund
Preference given to students of Native American heritage

Paul Douglas Camp Scholarship
Students interested in forestry, forest management, or the use of forest products; must be a resident of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, or Brazil

Vira I. Heinz Endowment Scholarship
Students from the State of Pennsylvania

Adelaide Hixon Endowment Scholarship
Students focusing on or with an interest in urban ecology or related urban environmental studies

Fred Krupp Scholarship in Environmental Studies
Students who intend to pursue a position with an American nongovernmental environmental organization upon graduation

John M. Musser Fellowships in Population and Environment
Candidates studying the relationship between human population and the use and management of the environment, with priority given to women and minority students

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Beinecke Scholarship

Abigail Disney and Pierre Hauser Scholarship

Louise and David Ingalls Foundation

Rockefeller-Underhill Scholarship
Students from South or Central America studying tropical ecology

Rodney B. Wagner Class of 1954 International Scholarship Fund
Students from Bhutan or, secondarily, from Africa

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Forrest Berkeley Conservation Scholars
Internship and scholarship support for students with a focus on land conservation

Sally Brown Scholars

Students with a concentration in climate change

Doris Duke Conservation Fellows
Students who are leaders in conservation

William Kunkler Scholarship
Students pursuing environmental engineering, industrial ecology, or environmental management/strategy

Leadership Scholars Fund
Students who are strong and active proponents of “giving back” to the School—as alumni/ae and as leaders in their professional field, their communities, and the larger environmental world

Gilman Ordway Family Scholarship Fund for Environmental Studies
Students who will give serious consideration to a career in environmental studies either with a nongovernmental private organization or in a government position devoted to national resource protection

Wyss Foundation Scholarship
Scholars program for conservation of the American West

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR JOINT-DEGREE STUDENTS AND YALE COLLEGE GRADUATES

Buchanan Family Scholarship
Preference given to students interested in business and environmental studies

Michael P. Dowling Scholarship
Students pursuing joint degrees with the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and the Yale School of Management

John R. Hesse Scholarship
Yale College students pursing the fifth-year master’s at the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and/or students pursing the joint degree between the F&ES and the Yale School of Management

Kroon Environmental Studies Scholarship
Yale College graduates interested in pursuing an advanced degree in Forestry & Environmental Studies

Benjamin F. Stapleton Scholarship Fund
Joint Yale Law and F&ES students with financial need

Edward L. Strohbehn, Jr. Scholarship
Joint law degree students or students with an interest in environmental law and policy

John R. Twiss Student Conservation Association Fellowship
Preference given to students who are alumni/ae of the Student Conservation Association

Lyndel J. Wishcamper Scholarship
Fifth-year Yale College student completing a Master of Environmental Management degree

OUTSIDE FUNDING FROM FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Students are strongly urged to compete for outside fellowships and scholarships that can be used at Yale. Over 350 outside scholarships are listed in the Outside Scholarship Excel Database located on the School’s Web site: www.environment.yale.edu/about/Outside-Scholarship-Resources/. In addition to financial advantages, a student who receives an award in a national competition earns genuine distinction. In the past, F&ES students have been recipients of awards from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation, the Leopold Schepp Foundation, and the Institute of International Education (Fulbright), among others. Enrolled students can compete for fellowships offered by the Heinz Family Foundation to support master’s project research. Outside awards may be matched with School awards up to combined levels that are no higher than the normal educational expense budget.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Student employment Opportunities are listed at the Student Employment Office at 246 Church Street, or on its Web site at www.yalestudentjobs.org. Positions are located throughout the University and the City of New Haven, with hourly rates of $11 to $15. A list of jobs at the School is available in late summer.

Student assistantships (work study) Assistantships are awarded to ninety F&ES students as a part of their financial aid packages. These positions pay $15 per hour and vary from clerical work to research, editorial, or library work. A list of positions will be available in late summer for students who qualify.

Teaching fellowships Fellowships are also available at the University. Each department makes its own hiring decisions; therefore, interested students must contact them directly. The typical salary is $4,000 per term.

LOANS

Yale University participates in two federal student loan programs: the Stafford program and the Perkins program. To qualify, a student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and meet certain requirements determined by the FAFSA.

Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 in Stafford loans, of which up to $8,500 may be subsidized by the federal government. Perkins loans, capped at $6,000, are available to students who demonstrate need beyond the level of a subsidized Stafford loan. While Stafford loans are available to all eligible borrowers, Perkins loans are limited by available funds. Graduate students are also eligible to borrow up to the cost of their education, less other financial aid received, through the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan program. For more details on these programs, refer to the government Web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

All Yale graduate students are eligible to apply for Yale’s preferred alternative loan, the Yale International Student Loan. Students who qualify can use this loan to cover up to the full cost of attendance, less any other financial aid received.

More information about the Yale International Loan can be found at www.environment.yale.edu/about/Loans/.

International Student Financial Aid

In order to apply for financial aid from the School, international students must complete the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Financial Aid Application and the Family Support Form, which are available on the School Web site: www.environment.yale.edu/about/Financial-Aid-Forms/. Both forms must be submitted by February 15 to be considered for a financial aid award. The Financial Aid Office offers scholarships and employment opportunities to as many international students as our resources will allow; however, most students need additional support. Another option to help finance a portion of the cost of education is the Yale International Student Loan. The Yale International Loan has a high approval rate for international students and offers a low interest rate with no payments while a student is in school (see www.environment.yale.edu/about/Loans). International students are also encouraged to seek support from their governments, employers, or various international agencies.

Four scholarships are offered to meet the full need of international students from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. All admitted students are automatically considered for these awards which are based on the strength of the applicant’s admissions material. The School also has agreements with a number of international organizations to provide matching funds in order to cover all costs for two years. Students are encouraged to contact organizations such as:

• the Muskie Program administered by the Open Society Institute (a Soros foundation) for students from countries once belonging to the former Soviet Union,
• the LASPAU program for students from Latin America and the Caribbean,
• the Institute for International Education Fulbright program, which supports educational exchanges that strengthen understanding and communication between the United States and over 140 countries,
• the World Wildlife Fund, which invests in the academic training of conservationists in Africa, Asia, and Latin America,
• the ATLAS program for African students.

International students must certify full funding for their entire two-year course of study before visa documents can be issued. Instructions and forms are mailed with financial aid decisions. More information is available at the Web site of Yale’s Office of International Students and Scholars (www.oiss.yale.edu).

Leave of Absence

A student who wishes or needs to interrupt his or her study temporarily may request a leave of absence. A leave of absence will normally be granted for special study or work related to the degree program, but may also be granted for personal, medical, and parental responsibilities. The general policies that apply to a leave of absence are:

1. Leave of absence application forms are available by contacting the registrar’s office at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.
2. All leaves of absence must be approved by the Academic Dean. Medical leaves also require the recommendation of a physician; documentation will also be required prior to a student returning from a medical leave indicating the completion of successful treatment and the ability of being able to complete the program of study.
3. A student may be granted a leave of absence for one academic year, but an extension to a maximum leave of two years may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
4. A student on leave of absence may complete outstanding work in courses for which he or she has been granted extensions. He or she may not, however, fulfill any other degree requirements during the time on leave.
5. A student on leave of absence does not have to file a formal application for readmission. However, he or she must notify the registrar in writing of his or her intention to return at least eight weeks prior to the end of the approved leave. In addition, if the returning student wishes to be considered for financial aid, the student must submit appropriate financial aid applications to Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies financial aid office by February 15 of the academic year preceding their readmission to determine eligibility.
6. A student on a leave of absence is not eligible for financial aid, including loans, or for the use of any University facilities normally available to registered students. A student is not eligible for coverage by Yale Health Plan (YHP) Basic or YHP Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage. Coverage terminates the day the leave is granted. In order to secure continuous coverage through YHP, a student must request enrollment in the YHP Affiliate Coverage and pay the premium prior to the beginning of the term for which the leave is taken. If a leave of absence is granted during the term, the student must request YHP Affiliate Coverage enrollment within 30 days of the date the leave is granted. Applications are available from the YHP Member Services Department, 17 Hillhouse Ave. (203.432.0246), or can be downloaded from the YUHS Web site (www.yale.edu/uhs).
7. A student on leave of absence who does not return at the end of an approved leave, and does not request and receive an extension by the academic dean, is automatically dismissed from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.

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