Teaching assistantships are available and are awarded on the basis of the applicant's scholastic record, letters of recommendation, and the student's letter of interest. All applicants that are accepted by the Graduate School in good standing are eligible for an assistantship in the Department of English. Letters of interest (if applicable) for teaching assistantships should be submitted at the same time as the application to the program is submitted to the Graduate School and should address prior experience and qualifications.

Graduate students are awarded teaching assistantships for the academic year only. University graduate tuition charges (not fees) are waived for all TAs. Teaching Fellowships are available to selected TAs after completing course work. Moreover, the Department of English annually awards the Rooney Scholarship and the Madeline S. Giddings Scholarship.