Graduate Financial Support

Funding depends on a doctoral student maintaining "good academic standing" with the Department of Economics and the Graduate School. To maintain good academic standing, a PhD student must: 

  • Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0.
  • Pass the mandatory core courses in the program. 
  • Pass both preliminary examinations during the summer of the first year of the program. 
  • Submit a research paper by the due date in the summer after the second year in the program. 
  • Have the research paper accepted by the due date in the fall semester of the third year in the program. 
  • Pass the Dissertation Proposal before the end of the third year in the program. 
  • Be judged by the Director of Graduate Studies to be making satisfactory progress on his or her dissertation, when the student is beyond the Dissertation Proposal stage. 

Once a student is in the 6th year of the program or beyond, he or she is not in good academic standing, unless the Director of Graduate Studies has been supplied with convincing evidence, by the student and the student's dissertation supervisor, by the time funding decisions are made (typically the February before the current academic year) that: (i) there have been unusual circumstances that have impeded dissertation progress; (ii) the student will have the dissertation completed by the end of the upcoming academic year, and will be on the job market during the upcoming academic year. 

Additional Funding Sources

Summer Support

Summer financial support has typically been available to students about to enter their second-through-fifth academic year. Applications are due in February. There are also teaching positions available through University College. Students who have accepted a permanent job in the fall cannot receive financial support in the preceding summer.

Federal Work Study

American graduate students are eligible for support under the federally sponsored Federal Work-Study (FWS) program if they meet certain federally defined criteria of financial need. All American students must complete and submit the Family Financial Planning Statement (FFPS) in order to determine their eligibility for FWS support.

Travel Awards

Travel Funding

All items listed are required in order to receive reimbursement:

  1. Approval from contributing department/school(s) which may include:
    • Approved Form Request for Travel Expenses from Department (submit request prior to travel)
    • Approval of Graduate School matching (submit request prior to travel; see checkbox at bottom of the Request for Travel Expenses from Department form to request)
  2. Effective March 15, 2018 registration (using MYTRIPS) for University-related international travel will be required of all students traveling outside the United States for University purposes.
  3. Supporting Documentation. Supporting documentation is defined as an original document from the vendor that contains the price. Monthly credit card statements and canceled checks will not be accepted as supporting documentation. 

Foreign Receipts: Employees are encouraged to use www.oanda.com to obtain the average exchange rate for the applicable time period. In addition, receipts for hotel, rental car, airfare, etc., should be labeled as such in English. A copy of the print screen with exchange rate must be included with the travel reimbursement request. A copy of a monthly credit card statement with original receipts is acceptable to show actual conversion amounts.

WashU Policies: Travel reimbursement policy and Non-reimbursable expenses

Please note:

Washington University does not reimburse insurance on car rentals since we are able to provide an insurance card to employees (and PhD students when on WashU sponsored travel) prior to travel. Please see Carissa for the insurance card.

 

Professional Development Support for PhD Candidates

Please be aware that travel funding is not guaranteed for students beyond the 5th year of the PhD program. While exceptions may be requested through the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS), these are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may be denied.

Students in their 6th year or later should not assume eligibility and should plan accordingly. Departments may submit exception requests with full endorsement, but approval rests solely with OGS.

Department of Economics graduate students may apply for Professional Development Support Funding in the amount of $1,000 by submitting the form below provided that the following guidelines are met:

 Approved Form Request for Travel Expenses from Department (submit request prior to travel)

  • Enrolled in the Economics PhD program, fully-funded by an A&S Fellowship, and are working on their dissertation. Students who are funded by the Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship, or a non-OGS source (NSF Fellowship, McDonnell International Scholars Academy Scholarship, etc.) are not eligible to apply for these funds.
  • Finished with all requirements for their PhD, prior to the start of a  Professional Development Support. This includes all required examinations (prelims) other than the oral defense, all coursework, and the proposal defense as well as approval of the TSP form and RAC form.

Additionally, please note:

  • Funds are available at the beginning of August for fall and the beginning of January for spring and will remain available until they are exhausted or the student graduates, whichever comes first.
  • If a student lives outside of St. Louis, the award may not be used for travel between their residence and St. Louis.