The University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry (UR SMD) offers generous Ph.D. application fee waivers and full funding packages to support graduate students in their academic journey. Here’s what you need to know:
PhD Application Fee Waiver
- Automatic waiver: If you submit your Ph.D. application by November 15, 2025, the $60 application fee is waived automatically within 24 hours—no need to contact admissions
- Financial hardship exceptions: If applying between November 16 and December 1, you may manually request a waiver due to financial hardship
- Important to note: Some programs—like Ph.D. in Epidemiology or Health Services Research and Policy—use SOPHAS and charge a non-waivable $100 fee
- Special waiver for CSTEP students: Participants in NY’s CSTEP program can also obtain application fee waivers by submitting a form and a verification letter to the Graduate Education office
Financial Support for Ph.D. Students
Fellowship Package – UR SMD
Admitted Ph.D. candidates typically receive:
- Full tuition waiver
- Competitive annual stipend:
- $34,333/year for 12-month programs
- $28,610.80/year for 10-month programs
- Single coverage via Aetna health insurance
Stipends are adjusted over time to accommodate the cost of living—UR estimates the 12-month stipend equals about $78,368 in NYC
Additional Funding & Support
- Travel grants: The Department of Biostatistics offers up to $1,500/year for conference travel or presentations
- Childcare grants: UR now provides childcare assistance for Ph.D. student-parents of young children (ages 0–6)
- External fellowships & internal awards: Graduate students may also access funding via departmental grants, scholarships, external fellowships, and financial aid offices
Why This Matters
With early fee waivers and robust funding packages—including tuition coverage, competitive stipends, health insurance, and support for travel and childcare—UR provides a financially viable and supportive environment for your Ph.D. studies.
The automatic waiver for early applicants removes a financial barrier, while the comprehensive funding ensures that admitted students can focus on research and academics without undue financial stress.
About the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
A key component of a top-tier research institution, UR SMD offers:
- High-quality medical and graduate education
- Access to cutting-edge research facilities and strong funding mechanisms
- A location with a lower cost of living compared to major metro areas, making your stipend stretch further
Next Steps
- Submit your application by November 15, 2025, to receive the automatic waiver.
- Check program-specific instructions—for exceptions like SOPHAS-based programs.
- Explore funding options: Aside from automatic awards, look into department-specific grants, fellowships, and external awards like NSF-GRFP
- Contact the Graduate Education Office or your department coordinator for any queries or to discuss support opportunities.