How To Get a U.S. Master’s Degree for FREE

Hey there!

What if I told you there’s a way to get a U.S. master’s degree without paying full tuition - and even earn a stipend every month while studying?

This isn’t a scholarship. It’s something most international students don’t realize exists until they arrive on campus: Teaching Assistantships (TAs) and Research Assistantships (RAs).

These roles aren’t just for Ph.D. students. Many master’s students in the U.S., especially in STEM and research-heavy programs, qualify for them. They often come with full or partial tuition waivers plus a monthly paycheck.

So, What Exactly Are These Roles?

A Teaching Assistant (TA) helps professors run their courses - grading assignments, leading discussions, assisting in labs, or tutoring undergrads.
A Research Assistant (RA), on the other hand, joins a professor’s research project or lab - often tied to their own thesis or academic interests.

Both roles usually require about 10-20 hours of work per week and come with meaningful financial perks: tuition coverage, stipends, and sometimes even health insurance.

Let’s take Michigan State University (MSU) as an example.

At MSU, both TAs and RAs receive tuition waivers that cover up to 9 credits in fall and spring semesters, along with a stipend and health benefits. TAs might teach discussion sections, lead lab sessions, or help design course materials. RAs work directly with faculty on funded research, contributing to data collection, analysis, or technical writing.

In exchange, they gain hands-on academic experience and graduate without paying tuition.

That’s right - MSU, along with schools like UIUC and UC Irvine, has pathways where your teaching or research work can fully fund your degree.

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But Here’s What Most Students Don’t Know

Not every assistantship automatically includes a tuition waiver. It depends on your department, your professor’s funding, and the nature of the appointment. Some cover full tuition, others partial. And while these positions are competitive, they’re not out of reach - especially if you prepare early and strategically.

Departments in engineering, computer science, data science, and other technical fields often have the largest pools of TA and RA funding. But, even social science, pure sciences and business programs offer positions.

Before You Jump In, Make Sure You Actually Qualify

Most schools look for:

• A GPA of 3.0+

• Full-time student status

• A strong grade in the course (A or A+ preferred)

• English proficiency, especially for international students

And yes - not every TA role automatically comes with a tuition waiver. Some may only include a stipend or partial coverage.

Where to check: your department’s official website, or directly with your graduate office. Some universities even have centralized assistantship portals listing open positions.

How Can You Actually Land One?

Start early - even before applying. Research universities that clearly mention TA or RA funding for master’s students in your field. Explore their graduate school pages or department websites to understand the eligibility requirements.

Once you’ve shortlisted schools, look for faculty whose research aligns with your interests. Email them before or after applying, expressing genuine interest in their work and politely asking if their lab or department anticipates RA openings for the upcoming semester.

After you’re admitted, get involved quickly. Attend department orientations, introduce yourself to professors, and let them know you’re interested in assisting with research or teaching. If you’ve taken a professor’s class and performed well, mention that when reaching out.

If you are already admitted, Then, research faculty members whose work aligns with your interests. Read a few of their papers, follow their lab pages, and reach out. A short, genuine email can go a long way.

Here’s a simple example:

“Subject: TA/GSRA Opportunity for [Course Name] - [Semester]

Dear Professor [Last Name],

I really enjoyed your course on [Topic] this semester and learned a lot about [specific concept]. I wanted to ask if there might be any TA or RA opportunities for next term - I’d love to contribute to your course or research.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best,

[Your Name]”

Keep it short, polite, and personal. Follow up after a week if you don’t hear back.

You can also talk to current TAs or RAs in your program - they often know when positions open up or which professors are hiring.

The Takeaway

Getting a tuition waiver through a TA or RA role is one of the most realistic ways to make a U.S. master’s degree affordable - even free!

It takes effort: researching programs, connecting with professors, and showing initiative. But students at universities like Michigan State, UIUC, and UC Irvine are proof that it’s possible.

If you’re applying to grad school this year, don’t just look for scholarships - look for assistantships. One email could be the difference between paying $75,000+ for your degree… or paying nothing at all.

Best,
The Roam Growth Team 🧡