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Departmental Financial Aid
Many planning students receive financial aid
during their two years of study. Upon applying, students are reviewed for a
research assistantship on-campus. Receiving an assistantship provides
graduate students with tuition reduction and a stipend. While all students
are reviewed for assistantships, priority is given to students that apply
by March 1st. First year students typically work as graduate assistants
although some first-year students option to work off-campus as a Student
Public Service Assistantship (SPSA). Second-year students typically work
off-campus for a planning-related agency as a SPSA. However, a first year
assistantship does not guarantee that a second year assistantship will be
provided. Courses in MCRP are scheduled for three days a week to allow
students the ability to work as Graduate Assistants and Public Service
Assistants.
Click here
for more information on tuition costs and housing options.
Departmental Graduate Assistantships
Students must be enrolled for a minimum of 9 credit hours. Departmental
Graduate Assistants are required to work a minimum of 10 hours per week for
15 weeks and a total of 150 hours per semester. A salary is provided, including
a significant tuition reduction. These are typically for first year
students with limited planning experience. These assistants are usually
assigned to professors, the library, and the department for various tasks,
including some research and technical planning tasks.
Student Public Service Assistantships
(SPSA)
A Public Service Assistantship is a form of work-study and requires a
student to work outside the University for a planning-related agency or
firm. A PSA entitles the student to a tuition reduction. A PSA also
provides an hourly wages although the rate will vary by entity. Students
are required to work for the entity 15 hours a week for 15 weeks for a
total of 225 hours per semester. The advantage of this form of financial
aid is the practical professional experience gained in the process.
Students may arrange to do their internship with the same employer while
earning a summer salary. Public service assistants are able to show
excellent work experience when applying for employment upon graduation.
These positions typically require an automobile for transportation
throughout the metro area up to a 60-mile radius.
Research Assistantships
Research Assistants are also available for students to participate with faculty
members on funded research projects through the department. Placement is
based on availability of funds and the related skills of the student. 
HUD Community Development Work Study
Grant
When funds are available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, qualified income-eligible and minority students are eligible
through the program to receive a two-year grant working at three local
planning agencies during the school year and summer. Students receive a
salary in addition to tuition reduction/reimbursement and reimbursements
for other costs of study. This is a need-based grant and is awarded to the
Program on a yearly basis through HUD in Washington D.C. Students are
required to work 15 hours (two days) per week for 15 weeks per semester for
a total of 225 hours of work. The Program Director and Program's HUD
Program Administrator review applicants for potentially eligible students.
South Carolina
Graduate Incentive Fellowships
Minority graduate students, especially from South
Carolina, may receive up to $5,000 annually.
Contact the Program Director for details. Dr. James B. London
Other Financial Aid or
Fellowships
An array of funding is available for graduate students. Contact the Financial
Aid Office at 864-656-2280 or visit the website at:
www.clemson.edu/finaid/.php
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