We understand the challenges of paying for and funding your higher education goals, and we are transparent with current and prospective students, connecting them to the assistance they need and informing them of the cost and aid available. To identify the best sources of financial support, we encourage potential and current students to review the information below.
Tuition
Doctoral tuition rates are set each year by the UW School of Public Health within guidelines approved by the Washington state legislature.
| 2026-2027 Academic Year | WA Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition/Operating Fee | $22,250 | $38,333 |
| + Other Fees* | + $1,897 | + $2,599 |
| Tuition & Fees (1 Year) | $24,147 | $40,932 |
| Approx Total (x4 Years) | ~$96,588 | ~$163,728 |
Financial Aid and Funding
Our goal is for each student to have sufficient financial aid to support their studies. It is not typical for doctoral students to take out loans, though we do not offer “full funding” packages for the entirety of the program. Each student’s funding sources vary, typically through a combination of grants, assistantships, fellowships, and/or outside employment.
We will work with each student to put together an aid or work package to meet their particular eligibility and needs, after they are admitted.
- We do our best to match all accepted students with either a training grant or a research assistantship to fund at least the first two years. Both pay stipend and tuition, and cover health insurance.
- In the later years, students often apply for other grants or find assistantships, often working for their mentors or at one of our department’s research centers.
Review the sections below to learn more about specific funding catagories available from our program, department, school, university, and external sources.
Pre-doctoral Training Grants
The following grants support Health Services PhD students’ development as researchers, funding the first 2-3 years of the program.
We encourage prospective students to review our grants before applying. If eligible, indicate which grant(s) you would like to be considered for on the annual Health Services PhD program application.
- Occupational Health Services Research (OHSR) Training Grant – for students in the Occupational Health area of emphasis
- Training in Equity and Structural Solutions in Addictions (TESSA) Training Grant – for students in the TESSA area of emphasis
- Biobehavioral Cancer Prevention and Control Research Training Grant – prioritized for students in later years of the program and post-docs
Our training grants are federally funded and limited to US citizens and permanent residents.
Assistantships
Assistantships are a form of paid academic employment in which students receive tuition reimbursement for the tasks they perform for faculty members, departments, or colleges. Position titles include research assistant (RA), teaching assistant (TA), and staff assistant (SA).
Assistantships cannot be secured before students are admitted to a program. The Health Services PhD program aims to match incoming students, who do not qualify for grants, with assistantships to fund their early studies. Position length varies. In later years of the program, students find and apply for assistantships and other fellowships through Handshake, GFIS, and position announcements forwarded to the student listserv.
International students are eligible to work assistantships. If English is not your first language, review the Conditions of Appointment for Teaching Assistantships who are not Native Speakers of English. See below for more relevant information.
Search Tips
- Check that the listing offers salary, tuition waiver, and health insurance eligibility
- If an hourly dollar amount is listed, that means it is an hourly job and does not include a tuition waiver or insurance benefits
Awards, Fellowships, and Funding Guides
- Health Systems Excellence, Equity, and Distinction (HSEED) Award – Annual $5,000 award to one incoming student from each HSPop program
- UW SPH Student funding guide
- HSPop Financial assistance and scholarships
- Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS)
Additional Information for International and Undocumented Students
We welcome international and undocumented applicants, but we unfortunately cannot guarantee financial support. As stated above, our grants are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
International and undocumented students are often funded through assistantships (see above) or bring funding with them.
- Graduate Funding Information Service guide for international students
- Graduate Funding Information Service guide for undocumented students
- Requirements for International Students – includes information on the financial ability requirement, transcripts, visas, employment options, and other documentation
- International Student Services: Frequently Asked Questions
Employment Outside UW
Local health organizations and businesses also employ doctoral students. Position announcements are often forwarded to student email lists, but it is worthwhile to research opportunities at these organizations directly.
Additional Student Resources
The UW Department of Health Systems and Population Health has a list of financial support and student resources, including student services such as counseling, housing, and/or child care, among others.