How To Apply

The application deadline for financial support starting in the Fall of 2023 will be January 15, 2023. Applications that are complete by the deadline will be given full consideration for financial support.

**We accept applications for Spring admission only under special circumstances. Please email us before applying for the Spring term.

Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered, depending upon positions available and/or funding availability.

Applications for admission to the Graduate College are to be submitted online. Also note that international students must also submit a Financial Resource Certification.

International students requiring financial aid must begin their studies in the Fall Semester. Here is why: In order to be allowed to teach, a student from a non-English-speaking country must attend the Institute for International Teaching Assistants (ITA), an intensive three-week program that runs annually from late July to mid-August. (In order to be admitted to the ITA, the student must score at least 22 on the TOEFL iBT speaking section or 6.5 on the IELTS speaking section. Please note that the Department of Mathematics requires a 7.5 IELTS score to be admitted.) At the end of the ITA, the student must pass a final panel. An international student who does not pass the final panel of the ITA will be hired as a grader at a substantially lower salary than the GTA stipend (though still enough to live on comfortably).

To Apply

• Familiarize yourself with the university's requirements for admission and fill out the online application form from the Office of Graduate Studies.
• You will be asked to provide basic information including:
  • A Statement of Purpose, a brief (typically 1 page or less) statement indicating why you wish to pursue graduate study and why UNL is a good fit for you
  • A cover letter or résumé
  • Three references. These references will be asked to submit letters of recommendation electronically through CollegeNet. You will provide contact information for each reference. You will then be able to send your references an e-mail with a secure link and they will be able to upload their letters.
  • GRE General Score is recommended but not required; Subject GRE is NOT required
  • (Please do not submit hard copies.)

Office of Graduate Studies Requirements

To summarize, in CollegeNet, all students must submit:

• Online application
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• One (1) transcript. Unofficial (uploaded) transcripts are sufficient for applicants; official transcripts are required prior to enrollment.