Thinking about applying to a doctoral program at Rice University? Good news: Rice is offering application fee waivers for Fall 2026 admissions—plus, the university provides extensive funding to help support graduate students throughout their studies.
Application Fee Waiver Weeks
Rice’s Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will waive doctoral application fees for both domestic and international students during the reserved waiver window:
- Dates: October 14 – November 1, 2025
- Available while supplies last
- Not applicable to programs in the Jones School of Business
- Applicants must:
- Submit a fee waiver request form during the waiver period
- Meet minimum eligibility criteria, including a 3.0 GPA (or equivalent)
- Submit a completed application by November 27, 2025, at 10:59 p.m. CST
- Test scores (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, etc.) may be submitted after Nov 27, as long as they are submitted by the program’s deadline
Important: The waiver request form is informational and does not guarantee a waiver unless all requirements are met before waivers run out. Fee refunds are not offered.
Rice University Application Fee Waiver Weeks page
Graduate Funding Opportunities at Rice
Departmental Stipend & Tuition Coverage
- Most doctoral students receive full tuition waivers and stipends ranging from $36,000 to $40,000 annually, which often cover living expenses.
- External fellowships or departmental awards typically come with tuition support.
source: Rice graduate funding overview
Graduate Business Funding
- PhD students in the Jones Graduate School of Business receive full financial assistance, including:
- Full tuition waiver
- Annual stipend of approximately $43,000
- Research/teaching assistantship commitments
- Continued funding for up to five years, pending satisfactory progress
- Added research support, workspace, and professional resources
Assistantships, Fellowships & Loans
- Research and teaching assistantships are common across disciplines.
- Rice supports students applying for prestigious external fellowships such as those from NSF, NASA, NIH, Ford Foundation, and GEM.
- Emergency and low-interest loan assistance is available through the Rice Graduate Student Association and the Graduate Studies Office.
source: Rice financial aid overview
Internal Grants & Travel Support
- Rice’s Graduate Student Association (GSA) offers small grants for student-led educational, cultural, service, and professional development events.
- Enrichment Grants: up to $1,000 per award
- Activity Grants: up to $250 per event
- Community Service Funding: up to $500 per award
- Professional Development Grants: support organized programs for multiple participants
- Travel Grants are available (e.g., through Rice Engineering Alumni) for research presentations and student projects
source: GSA internal funding programs
Departmental & Fellowship Databases
- The School of Social Sciences, Fondren Library, and Graduate Studies Office provide searchable databases and coaching for internal and external fellowships—ranging across disciplines and citizenship statuses.
source: Rice fellowship resources
Department-Specific Support
- Many programs tailor funding packages:
- Departmental fellowships covering stipend and tuition (e.g., Political Science: ~$36,000/year, for five years)
- Funding for conference travel, summer research, and sixth-year fellowships (e.g., in English PhD program)
Why Rice Offers Exceptional Value for Graduate Students
- No application fee (for doctoral applicants) during Waiver Weeks makes the application process more accessible.
- A combination of tuition waivers, stipends, and assistantships ensures financial support for most doctoral students.
- Multiple funding sources—internal (departmental, GSA, program-specific) and external (fellowships, loans)—offer flexibility and resilience.
- Graduate students benefit from professional development grants, travel funding, and well-structured support systems throughout their academic journey.
Final Tips for Applicants
- Mark your calendar: Oct 14 – Nov 1, 2025, for the Application Fee Waiver window.
- Confirm eligibility and submit the waiver request form early.
- Complete and submit your application by November 27, 2025, at 10:59 p.m. CST.
- Explore funding options:
- Departmental stipends and assistantships
- External fellowships (NSF, NIH, etc.)
- GSA grants and internal travel funding
- Emergency loans if needed
- Reach out to your intended department and Rice’s Graduate Studies Office for guidance on accessing funding resources early in the process.
Rice offers world-class graduate education, and a financial support structure designed to help you succeed. Apply early, explore your funding opportunities, and best of luck!