The College of Education (COE) Graduate Study Incentive Program (GSIP) is designed to recognize the college’s historic commitment to the preparation of P-12 educators, particularly to those who aspire to leadership roles as administrators, counselors, librarians, instructional technology personnel, and teachers. The GSIP is a highly competitive program that gives preference to those whose past professional and academic accomplishments provide strong evidence of future outstanding professional contributions.

Incentive:

The GSIP is a fellowship program that will pay $100 per credit hour for a student’s degree or licensure program. GSIP tuition reduction fellowships may be applied toward official courses and electives for the selected degree/program in the College of Education that serve P-12 schools (MAT excluded). The fellowship will not pay for any hours that exceed the maximum number of hours required to complete the official program of study.

Eligibility Requirements for Initial Award and Renewal of the Award :

• Full admission to a participating COE graduate program for P-12 educators, or to the Interdisciplinary Leadership PhD program, with a P12 education cognate.
• Evidence of a valid teaching license;
• Currently employed in a P-12 school district or a related educational setting;
• Maintenance of academic “Good Standing” for each semester (Loss of fellowship will occur if the grade point average falls below 3.00 and/or if a student is judged to have violated any of the ethical standards as outlined in the UCA Student Handbook.);
• Continuous enrollment in the program of study including at least one course in the summer sessions (Students may apply for an exception to this requirement under compelling circumstances); and,
• Maximum length of time for use of the fellowship shall not exceed three calendar years except for those programs that require more than 42 semester hours or 5 years for the Interdisciplinary Leadership PhD program.

Application Process:

• Complete the Application for Admission to Graduate School and submit all required documentation. Application forms are available from the Graduate Office or on the Graduate School homepage.

• Complete and submit:

1. the GSIP Application Form:  You may apply by using the ONLINE application or by Downloading the application and printing a paper application.)
2. a cover letter explaining why you've chosen to pursue this degree and what you hope to attain from it, and
3. two letter of recommendation forms completed by specified references.

Application deadlines:

• Nov 15 or until stipends are filled, for Spring semester
• April 23 for Summer semester
• July 16 for Fall semester

Candidates who are not selected via their initial application are eligible to reapply for a subsequent semester.