The Office of Student Financial Assistance links to the FAFSA application and other loans. Keep in mind that some loans may not be disbursed until you have registered for classes. Many graduate students do not apply for loans until fall semester—deadlines listed on the FAFSA website typically apply to undergraduate applications, not to grads. As will all business connected with being a grad student, check your dates and deadlines carefully.

The GradGrants Center is a great resource for graduate students seeking financial aid. This site has links to job listings for academic postings, searchable funding databases (you need a university username and passphrase to access these), other granting resources, and information about external fellowships frequently awarded to IU students. Many anthropology graduate students are eligible for FLAS Fellowships.

The GradGrants Center also offers one-on-one proposal drafting advising sessions with their award-winning consultants. These are available in-person or via web conferencing for any external (non-IU) funding opportunities.

You might consider applying for an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, which is a multi-year fellowship of $30,000 that comes with fee remissions.

For the Javits, you must be in your first year of grad school, or in your first year following the completion of a Masters. The National Science Foundation is available for grad students in either their first or second year.

Be aware—both of these fellowships have application deadlines in the fall. If you are thinking about applying you should begin brainstorming and writing well in advance. Whether or not you win an award, the process of applying can help you clarify your goals. Grant-writing is also a common aspect of life in academia.

When applying for a grant, contact with your potential advisor. Tell them you are considering applying for a fellowship and give them a short abstract or outline for feedback. Think about other people who can provide strong letters of recommendation. Do not put this off! Your first year will be hectic and stressful; grant writing will make everything more stressful if you put the task off until the month before the application is due.

The Career Development Center provides access to job-seeking resources. These jobs typically do not come with a fee waiver, but if you are looking for something—anything—they might be able to help you out. The Walter Center for Career Achievement has databases of jobs, internships, and work study positions maintained by the Center; you can upload a resume and search for jobs that fit you. You will need an Indiana University username and passphrase to access this site.

While funding is always a challenge when you are a student, Indiana University Bloomington has plenty of places you can look for academic and non-academic positions, jobs, and fellowships. Submit your CV to departments where you might be a good fit (such as Biology, Medical Sciences, International Studies, and others). Join the AGSA listserv, as we often receive emails about graduate positions that open up in other departments. Don’t be afraid to apply—Anthropology graduate students have been hired for a wide variety of positions.