Doctoral students enrolled in our program are expected to complete their degrees within 5 years and receive full financial support for the duration of their graduate studies if they remain in good academic standing, make satisfactory academic progress towards the degree, and (if applicable) perform satisfactorily in their assistantship responsibilities.
This financial support is provided – most commonly – as Teaching Assistantships, however there are a variety of sources Cornell Fellowship, external fellowships, research assistantships.
Students appointed to assistantships are subject to the terms of the CGSU UE Collective Bargaining Agreement. Students appointed to fellowships are not included in the bargaining unit and therefore not represented by the union.
Students in our program regularly apply for and receive external fellowships and grants. Cornell will supplement qualified external awards, external qualified fellowships will replace internal funding. If a student receives an external fellowship or grant, the GFC must be notified as soon as possible so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Fully Funded PhD Students
All Mathematics PhD students are fully funded to pursue their degrees through a combination of assistantships and fellowships. PhD funding packages include Tuition, Health Insurance, and Stipends (or a living allowance).
The Graduate School Funding and Benefits webpages have more details and is the best place to look for the most recent updated information.
Stipend Rates
Stipend Rates
Assistantship
- Graduate Student Assistantships (CU Policy 1.3)
- CGSU Details
- Students appointed to assistantships are subject to the terms of the CGSU UE Collective Bargaining Agreement. Students appointed to fellowships are not included in the bargaining unit and therefore not represented by the union.
- Students appointed to fellowships are not included in the bargaining unit and therefor not represented by the union.
Fellowship
- Fellowship Opportunities
- Cornell Graduate School Recruiting Fellowships
- Awarded to first-year graduate students on the basis of scholastic ability and promise of achievement. Recipients are chosen by the Mathematics Graduate Admissions Committee at the time of admittance.
Health Insurance Plan
Student Health Benefits Information
- The office of Student Health Benefits manages and provides support for those enrolled in Cornell's Student Health Plan (SHP), Student Health Plan Plus (SHP+), Dental Plan, and Vision Plan.
Cornell Health
- Cornell Health provides services for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in Ithaca. Select services are also available visiting students, spouses / partners of students, and to other community members.
Summer Funding
Summer Funding is included within the 5 years of full financial support. Math PhDs are expected to TA for at least 1 summer, usually this is in their 2nd or 3rd summer.
Teaching Assistantship in Mathematics
A TA position is an academic appointment averaging no more than 15 hours per week. In the Mathematics Department, there are three types of Teaching Assistant (TA) positions: recitation TA for 1000-2000 level classes, grading TA for upper division courses with proof-based homework, and instructional TA for Math 1110 Calculus I or Math 1120 Calculus II. Graduate students should expect to be recitation TAs for at least 75% of their TA appointments. who are interested in an academic career are encouraged to be an instructional TA at least once prior to their final year of graduate school.
The International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP)
The International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP) supports international graduate students on the path to success in their work as teaching assistants at Cornell.
Department of Mathematics Guidelines for TA Time Away
During any semester, all time away from duties that accumulates to more than a week (5 days) when classes are in session must be pre-approved by the Department Chair, following the requests to Advisor and Assistantship Supervisor, adhering to Policy 1.3. Requests need to be made to the Department Chair by email. In our department, the "Assistantship Supervisor for Teaching Assistantships" means both the course instructor and the Director of Teaching Assistant Programs. TA offer letters have further details.
Duration of Funding
Beyond 5 years, students must request additional year of funding by emailing the GFC with their advisor copied before the end of their 9th semester, with a new estimated date of completion and reason for need of the additional time.
Failure to make timely satisfactory academic progress may result in the loss of good academic standing, funding, and/or eligibility for the future opportunities. See section Satisfactory Academic Progress and Academic Standing.
Department Prizes and Awards
Robert John Bättig Graduate Prize:
Recipients of the Bättig Prize are selected based on excellence and promise in mathematics. The award is given to graduate students who have passed their A exam.
Hutchinson Fellowship:
Awarded for excellent academic achievements, the Hutchinson Fellowship provides one semester of relief from teaching to allow students to work on their thesis problems. Accordingly, it is awarded to students who have passed their A exam.
The Torng Prize:
Established in 2017 by former graduate student Bung-Fung Torng, this prize is awarded annually to an outstanding graduate student for their work as a teacher. It provides summer support for the student to focus on their thesis work.
Eleanor Norton York Award:
Each year a student in the Mathematics Department and a student in the Astronomy Department, in which Eleanor York was employed, are selected to receive this award. The recipients are chosen from those in the middle of their graduate education on the basis of their achievements to date to encourage them to have even more success in the future. The award is given to graduate students who have passed their A Exam.
Recipients of the departmental awards are listed on the Department Awards page.