Do you need help paying for your graduate work in English? Are you interested in working closely with faculty while gaining hands-on experience in your field? Our department is committed to providing practical opportunities for both professional and personal growth through our scholarships and graduate assistantships.

Scholarships

Scholarships specific to English graduate students are available through the department. Students are encouraged to apply for any scholarship they are eligible for.

Award History

Past award winners can be found in our Awards Archive.

This scholarship was established by the family, friends, and students of Frances Mayhew Rippy, PhD, in honor of her 42 years of teaching English at Ball State University (1959-2001).

The purpose of the fund is to assist outstanding English graduate students majoring in literature at Ball State University.

Awarded students will be selected by the literature area committee, based upon an assessment of the quality of the student’s work and the student’s contribution to the life of the department.

View Description

The Dr. Janet Ross Scholarship for Teachers of English as a Second Language is a merit award. The amount may be divided among several students, if so recommended by the selection committee.

English undergraduate majors in English/language arts with a teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) concentration and English graduate majors in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) or Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) joint program are eligible to apply.

The recipient shall display those characteristics of scholarship, character, and leadership which, in the judgment of the selection committee, are considered essential for success in the field of teaching English as a second language.

Application deadline:

Please submit via email to english@bsu.edu by March 14, 2025 @ 4 p.m.

Download Application

The Voss English Research Award was established by Drs. Gert and Annemarie Voss to support applied or theoretical research in literature in the English Department. Any MA or PhD candidate with a concentration in literature or a MA general concentration in the English Department is eligible.

Students who are selected to receive the award need to submit their receipts to the English Department within 60 days of purchase in order to receive the amount awarded.

Application deadline:

Please submit via email to english@bsu.edu by March 14, 2025 @ 4 p.m.

Download Application

The Hanson Rhetoric and Composition Award provides support for applied or theoretical research in the area of rhetoric and composition within the Department of English.

Students who are selected to receive the award need to submit their receipts to the English Department within 60 days of purchase in order to receive the amount awarded.

Application deadline: 

Please submit via email to english@bsu.edu by March 14, 2025 @ 4 p.m.

Download Application

The Patricia and Anthony Martone Fund supports research and travel for students pursuing a Master of Arts in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. First preference goes to students who produce new writings about place and community, in particular about the Muncie, Indiana area, the state of Indiana or Midwest region. Second preference goes to students who produce writings about sports.

Application deadline:

Please submit via email to english@bsu.edu by March 14, 2025 @ 4 p.m.

Download Application

Graduate Assistantships

The English Department offers teaching and research assistantships to master’s and doctoral candidates on a competitive basis.

If you are a new applicant and wish to be considered for an assistantship, be sure to check the appropriate box on the Graduate School application.

To guarantee consideration for a GA position, applications must be completed by February 1. Decisions about assistantships are generally made in March and announced in April. 

Paying for Your Education

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Tuition and Fees

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Funding Graduate Study