Financial Aid

The following information will be formatted and presented in the question and answer format to fit with the rest of the site. It will also contain links to the financial aid site and common problems that can arise with funding issues.    

What employment opportunities does the ILT program offer?

Graduate Lab Assistantships

The university occasionally funds graduate assistantships to support the Instructional Technology laboratories and research. We are hopeful that these assistantships will continue to be part of the continuing budget.

Responsibilities: Working 12 to 20 hours per week in the laboratories, providing support for students and faculty on the use of Apple, IBM, and Macintosh computers. Assistance in audiovisual production may also be required.

Prerequisite Skills: Familiarity with Apple II, IBM, and Macintosh systems and applications software is helpful. Skills in audiovisual production are also useful.

Remuneration: $8 per hour plus tuition waiver for six hours of credit.

Corporate Internships

At times, we secure some internship experiences with cooperating businesses and agencies that provide practical work experiences in the design of instructional systems for training. In order to qualify for most of these internships, you must be admitted to the ILT Master's Program.

Responsibilities: Usually 20 - 25 hours per week at the business, designing and producing instructional systems and materials for training.

Prerequisite Skills: Typically a master's degree in instructional technology or a related field and preferably work experience in the design of instructional systems. This is an advanced design experience, so prerequisite skills are important to the companies.

Remuneration: Usually $12,000 - $16,000 per year or $15.00 to $20.00 per hour. These internships do not include tuition remission.

Graduate Research Assistantships

The department is constantly submitting applications for grants and contracts with various funding agencies. In the past few years, we have secured contracts with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the Bonfils Blood Center, and the National Institutes of Health to support research assistants.

Responsibilities: They vary with the grant. Typically, they will require skills in the design of computer-based instructional systems, interactive video, or similar design and production projects.

Prerequisite Skills: They too will vary with the project. Experience in the design and production of computer-based materials will typically be the most important.

Remuneration: $8,000 - $16,000 per year. For most of the grant applications, we are including requests for tuition. There is no assurance that these funds will be approved.

What other options are available?

• Federal Student Aid
• Check with the UCD Financial Aid Office
• Tuition Reimbursement Programs - check with your supervisor or human resources department. Many companies include full or partial tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits.

Look for an Internship

Occasionally companies contact the ILT program looking for students to help on special projects. Some of these internships offer a stipend as well as experience. Good sources of internships include your advisor and other professionals in your field. Also keep an eye out for announcements on the ILT listserv or on websites for professional organizations.

Investigate Scholarships

Check with the UCD Financial Aid Office and search the Internet for scholarship opportunities.