Skip to Main

Cost and Financial Support: Ph.D. Degrees in Basic Sciences

Tuition and Fees

The Division of Basic Science pays students’ tuition and fees during the first year of graduate school. In subsequent years, tuition and fees are paid from research grants awarded to their dissertation mentors or from one of the institutional National Institutes of Health training grants associated with various areas of research training. This includes the fee for membership at the Bryan Williams, M.D. Student Center and all computer usage fees. Students admitted to any of the 10 basic science Ph.D. programs are enrolled full-time throughout this period and dedicate full-time effort towards their training.

Financial Support

All students studying for a Ph.D. in Basic Sciences receive a nationally competitive research assistantship of $37,000 per year throughout the course of their Ph.D. studies.

The Division of Basic Science provides this support during the first year of graduate school. This allows students to choose freely among the graduate programs and their participating faculty mentors. In subsequent years, students receive a research assistantship paid from research grants awarded to their dissertation mentors or from one of the institutional NIH training grants associated with various areas of research training. Students are also encouraged to apply for external fellowship opportunities.

Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage for the student is provided at no expense for the duration of PhD studies. Additional coverages are available for purchase through the University of Texas System Blue Cross Blue Shield plan during any benefits enrollment period.

Loans and Grants

Information about loans and other financial aid is available from:

Student Financial Aid Office
UT Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75390-9064
Phone: 214-648-3611
Fax: 214-648-3289