Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships at University of Vermont 2026 (Full Tuition)

About This Scholarship

The University of Vermont is one of the United States' oldest public research universities, founded in 1791 and consistently recognised for academic excellence in environmental science, medicine, public health, engineering, education, and the social sciences. Located in Burlington, Vermont — a small, progressive city on the shores of Lake Champlain and consistently ranked among the most liveable small cities in the US — UVM combines a serious research culture with a genuinely welcoming environment for international students.

UVM's Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships offer one of the more comprehensive funding packages available at a US public university. The combination of full tuition waivers (covering up to 9 credits per semester for master's students and equivalent for doctoral), substantial annual stipends ($20,088–$32,000 depending on level and appointment duration), and fully paid health insurance premiums means that the total value of a UVM assistantship exceeds what many private scholarships provide. For Ghanaian students in fields where UVM has strong research programs — particularly environmental science, public health, computer science, education, and social sciences — this represents a highly competitive funding opportunity.

This full tuition scholarship for international students covers the following:

Tuition fee for up to 9 credits in a regular semester or up to 5 credits in summer for 12-month appointments

$27,850 for master's and $32,000 for doctoral students in 12-month appointments

$20,088 stipend for master's and $24,000 stipend for doctoral students in 9-month appointments

Paid premium single student health insurance

Apply for 2026 Intake!

Tips for Ghanaian and African Applicants

• Contact your prospective faculty supervisor before applying: As with all US graduate assistantships, a faculty member who is interested in your work can advocate for your admission and assistantship offer. Read recent UVM faculty publications in your area, identify a potential supervisor, and reach out before the application deadline.
• UVM's environmental and public health programs are particularly strong: Ghanaian students working on climate adaptation, water quality, sustainable agriculture, global health, or infectious disease are especially well-positioned to find faculty alignment at UVM.
• Vermont winters require preparation: Burlington's climate involves significant snowfall and cold temperatures from November through March. Factor appropriate cold-weather clothing and heating costs into your budget planning before accepting an offer.
• Application deadlines for fall enrollment: Most UVM graduate programs close applications between January and February for September enrollment. Given the complexity of the Ghana-to-US visa process, begin your application preparation no later than October of the year before your intended start.
• Health insurance is included: UVM's assistantship package explicitly includes paid premium single-student health insurance — a meaningful benefit that reduces the true cost of living in the US significantly, and one that many other universities do not provide.

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships Eligibility Criteria

Enrolled for at least 9 credits in a semester

Able to render 20 working hours per week