DGRATS FAQs
What is DGRATS?
The Doctoral Graduate Research Assistant Tuition Scholarship (DGRATS) Program is a mechanism by which Florida Tech provides tuition scholarships, on a semester to semester basis, as described in Guideline on Graduate Student Assistant Employment and Contracts.
Can pre-existing grants & contracts utilize DGRATS?
Because DGRATS may involve modifications to both internal as well as external research project budgets, Principal Investigators (PIs) are encouraged to consult directly with the Office of Sponsored Programs. The Office of Sponsored Programs will determine the appropriateness and feasibility of utilizing DGRATS on a case-by-case basis for pre-existing grants and contracts.
What are the qualifications for a student to receive a DGRATS tuition scholarship?
Full-time doctoral-level students who are supported a research grant or contract which includes
- full Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate (or indirect cost-IDC rate)of 44.87% for federal, 50% non-federal or national fellowships
- minimum of 3-credits of tuition remission, and
- a stipend for minimum of 15 hours but no more than 20 hours per week with a rate of $22 per hour.
The student must be registered full-time and maintain a minimum program GPA of 3.0.
International students must furnish the evidence of proficiency written and spoken English (see English Language Proficiency).
For all qualified grants (with full Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate (or indirect cost-IDC rate) 44.87% for federal, 50% non-federal or national fellowships) awarded or submitted prior to August 5, 2024, the university will honor its previous DGRATS commitments, and the total tuition scholarship will be capped at 45 credit hours for those doctoral students who have a conferred Master’s degree in identical or related disciplines or 57 credit hours for those doctoral students who have a conferred Bachelor’s degree and have a minimum of 18 credits towards their doctoral degree program. A stipend for minimum of 15 hours but no more than 20 hours per week with a rate of $15 per hour must accompany the DGRATS award.
What are the funding source requirements for DGRATS?
The funding source must be an external research grant or contract subject to on-campus Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate (or indirect cost-IDC rate) of 44.87% for federal, 50% non-federal or national fellowships. Reduced or waived IDC rate grants or contracts are not eligible to participate in this program.
Is there a cap on the number of credits a DGRATS student can take in one semester?
There is no DGRATS cap on the number of credits a student may take in one semester although the student must abide by other relevant policies.
For all qualified grants (with full Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate (or indirect cost-IDC rate) of 44.87% for federal, 50% non-federal or national fellowships) awarded or submitted prior to August 5, 2024, the university will honor its previous DGRATS commitments, and the total tuition scholarship will be capped at 45 credit hours for those doctoral students who have a conferred Master’s degree in identical or related disciplines or 57 credit hours for those doctoral students who have a conferred Bachelor’s degree and have a minimum of 18 credits towards their doctoral degree program. A stipend for minimum of 15 hours but no more than 20 hours per week with a rate of $15 per hour must accompany the DGRATS award.
Are there a limited number of DGRATS scholarships available?
Availability of DGRATS funds is evaluated each fiscal year.
Are DGRATS scholarships restricted to U.S. citizens?
No. International graduate students who are authorized to work in the U.S. are eligible for DGRATS. All students must meet the academic and eligible grant requirements.
Is DGRATS restricted to new students only? That is to say students that did not receive their bachelor’s and/or master’s degree(s) at Florida Tech.
No. 1st year doctoral students are eligible for DGRATS if they meet the academic criteria and are supported by qualified grants as described in the Guideline of GSA Employment and Contract.
For all qualified grants (with full Facilities and Administrative (F&A) rate (or indirect cost-IDC rate) of 44.87% for federal, 50% non-federal or national fellowships) awarded or submitted prior to August 5, 2024, the university will honor its previous DGRATS commitments, and the total tuition scholarship will be capped at 45 credit hours for those doctoral students who have a conferred Master’s degree in identical or related disciplines or 57 credit hours for those doctoral students who have a conferred Bachelor’s degree and have a minimum of 18 credits towards their doctoral degree program. A stipend for minimum of 15 hours but no more than 20 hours per week with a rate of $15 per hour must accompany the DGRATS award.
Are DGRATS scholarships restricted to support doctoral students working with new/young faculty?
No. All faculty members may utilize the DGRATS program.
Can research professors utilize DGRATS to support their doctoral students?
Yes, as long as the funding and other requirements are satisfied.
How do I apply for a DGRATS Scholarship?
If you are a doctoral student talk to your faculty advisor. If you are a PI or Co-PI on a research grant or contract your administrative assistant to process the wages contract for doctoral student using the DGRATS option in Student Employment System.
When do DGRATS student contracts need to be submitted in Student Employment System?
Preferably several weeks before the beginning of the semester in which the student is to receive the tuition scholarship. However, DGRATS student contracts will be accepted up to one week before the start of the semester in which the student is to receive the tuition scholarship. Late DGRATS contracts cannot be processed unless approved by the Office of the Provost.
What is the process for submitting a waiver request?
Waiver requests for DGRATS must be submitted to the Chief Research Officer by the Academic Unit Head through the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and the College Dean for review and approval.
If a student enters a doctoral program with a bachelor’s degree and that program does not offer or require a master’s degree, can the student receive a DGRATS scholarship?
The following restriction only applies to doctoral students who are supported through the full-IDC grants submitted or awarded prior to August 5, 2025:
Full-time doctoral-level students who have a conferred Master’s degree in identical or related disciplines or who have completed a minimum of 18 credits toward their doctoral degree program are eligible for DGRAT 1.0.