Financial Aid Graduate students for the Ph.D. normally receive financial assistance each year for up to five years. The most frequent form of aid is fellowships provided by University funds. Some students have outside awards from foundations or awards won in national competition. Graduate students are also eligible for various research assistantships with individual faculty members, especially during the summer months. Although assistantships, unlike fellowships, do involve specific duties, the work required is intended to contribute to the student's own development and is integrated into the student's full academic program. Yale University Fellowships pay a maximum of tuition plus a stipend for 9 months. Current stipend levels for university fellowships and assistantships in research are outlined in the enclosed supplement. All students are eligible for a Dissertation Fellowship in their fifth year of study, if necessary, while completing the dissertation. After completing their first year, all Ph.D. graduate students, whether or not they receive stipend support, are expected to acquire experience as Teaching Fellows without additional compensation. It is very important for students to investigate diligently all possible sources of outside support. In addition to applying for National Science Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health, and Jacob Javits Fellowships, students should explore, with the guidance of undergraduate advisors, private foundations and other methods of self support such as the American Psychological Association and Ford Foundation programs for minority students. A surprisingly large number of sources exist. Students who generate outside support not only bring honor to themselves but also help the Graduate School and the Psychology Department support students obliged to rely on Yale University Fellowships. Federally sponsored loans to supplement living costs are also available directly through the Graduate School.