Financial Support for MSIS Students
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Master of Science in Information Sciences (MSIS) program is not only a nationally ranked, top-10 program in library and information studies according to US News & World Report, it is also among the most affordable online programs of its kind. Residents of Tennessee, Arkansas, Delaware, and West Virginia are eligible to receive in-state tuition and residents of other US states receive near-in-state tuition levels for online courses. Receive the same great educational experience whether you choose to study online or on-campus. Visit OneStop to learn more about our tuition rates.
SIS Scholarships
The School of Information Sciences offers a number of competitive scholarships for both incoming and continuing students. The MSIS application offers an opportunity for incoming students to indicate interest in SIS scholarship and/or assistantship opportunities; additional application materials are not required. Start your application as early as possible to be considered.
Scholarships
Beverly Dance Library and Information Sciences Scholarship
This scholarship is given by the grandsons of Beverly Dance who served as an elementary school librarian in Knox County Schools for two decades.
Dr. Bill Robinson Scholarship Endowment
“Dr. Bill” was a faculty member in SIS for over 35 years. This endowment was created in Dr. Bill’s memory to support MSIS students.
Glenn E. Estes Fellowship Endowment
Dr. Estes served in SIS for nearly 30 years, focusing on children’s and young adult literature and school/ public libraries.
Carmen Linkous Moulton Memorial Fellowship Endowment
As an advocate of education and libraries, Carmen would be proud that funds given in her name help students attain their dreams.
Gary R. Purcell Scholarship
Dr. Purcell was a founding faculty member in SIS, teaching for nearly 20 years. He encouraged students to reach further and climb farther.
Jane Moulton Ray Scholarship for Information Sciences Endowment
Jane Ray is a retired Knox County Schools librarian. She and her husband, Rich, value the important role librarians play in their schools and communities, especially in rural communities.
John C. Tyson Scholarship
Dr. Tyson was a founding member of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and former associate professor in SIS.
John C. Winslow Scholarship
This scholarship is used to support MSIS students working in a public library.
H.W. Wilson Scholarship
The H.W. Wilson Scholarship will be open to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or veteran status with the restrictions below. Applications will be sent to students in January and the deadline is February 15.
The scholarship will be available to all distance education or part-time students who are currently enrolled or have been admitted to the University of Tennessee School of Information Sciences who demonstrate academic potential.
Luigi Lemoncello Library Scholarship
Created by CCI alum Chris Grabenstein (‘77) and his wife, J.J. Grabenstein, aim to support MSIS students with an interest in young adult literature.
Marcellus Turner Excellence Scholarship
Created by MSIS alum Marcellus Turner (’88) to support MSIS students.
SIS Assistantships
The School of Information Sciences (SIS) has graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) available to be awarded on a competitive bases to qualified students (campus and distance) who are fully admitted as potential degree candidates. Incoming students can designate interest in assistantships during the application process.
What is an assistantship?
An assistantship is a form of work study for graduate students that typically awards a tuition waiver and stipend in exchange for part-time work. While departments and offices at the University of Tennessee offer a number of different types of graduate assistantships and associateships, SIS positions are Graduate Teaching Assistantships.
How long do assistantships last?
Assistantship positions are awarded for one academic year, though continuing students are encouraged to apply for the second year of study. SIS awards GTA’s with 9-month appointments to serve from August 1 to May 31 and work in the fall and spring semesters of an academic year.
What are a GTA’s typical duties?
SIS GTA’s primarily perform various duties associated with faculty preparation for instruction or assist with research or service tasks. Other duties may be assigned upon approval/direction of the Director and/or Director of Graduate Studies. Master’s level GTAs are 35% time (14 hours a week) and PhD GTAs are 50% time (20 hours a week).
Where can I do an assistantship?
Most SIS GTA positions are attached to either individual faculty members or administrative tasks. SIS partners with various organizations for a small number of additional opportunities, such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) Assistantship.
How can I get an assistantship?
The School of Information Sciences (SIS) awards a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships, typically to begin in the fall semester, to on-campus and distance education students. These opportunities are highly competitive. Applicants may indicate interest in a GTA position as part of the application process, and continuing students are invited to apply at the beginning of the spring semester for positions that will begin in the following August.
What is the “award”?
GTAs offer a tuition waiver and stipend. Stipends are monthly with payments occurring on the last working day of each month for the duration of the appointment.
In addition to the stipend, the graduate teaching assistantship provides a waiver of in-state or out-of-state maintenance/tuition fees for the appointment term and, for on-campus students, health insurance benefits. (DE students are not eligible for student health insurance.) The assistantship also covers mandatory fees, such as in-state or out-of-state charges for the programs/services fee, the health fee, the facilities fee, the technology fee (or online support fee for DE students), the transportation fee, and the library fee. Charges not covered include books and materials needed for courses, housing, or graduation fees. The student is responsible for these costs.
What else does the GTA require?
Applicants who begin the program prior to the appointment must have a minimum of 18 semester hours remaining to complete the degree at the effective date of the appointment.
14-hour Master’s Level GTAs are required to maintain full-time enrollment (minimum of 9 hours) and a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 during the appointment.
20-hour PhD Level GTAs are required to enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 during the appointment.
How and When Do I Apply?
Application Instructions for Admission Applicants
Indicate your interest in an assistantship on the admissions application. No additional form is needed.
Application Instructions for New and Continuing Students
The application for new and continuing students will be available early in the spring semester. All students who wish to be considered for a GTA position must complete the application, even if they have been awarded a one in a previous year. Applications and all supporting materials, including reference letters, are due in mid-February. The application link below will only work when the period to apply is open.
All MSIS Students Apply Here
When Will I Find Out if I’ve Received a GTA?
While we try to make the application and award process as short as possible, the review committee considers a number of factors when making selecting students for GTA positions. Finalists may be contacted for an interview as part of the review process.
MSIS Financial Assistance for Travel
The School of Information Sciences and UT has opportunities to financially support students who are attending conferences related to their studies. These include:
- The SIS Student Travel Award for students who are presenting at conferences.
- The UT Graduate Student Senate Travel Award for students who are presenting at conferences.
Financial Aid and UT
The Graduate School can help you find support through fellowships and assistantships, and One Stop Express Student Services can help with student loans. Current graduate students at CCI can be awarded CCI scholarships through a nomination process.
