Graduate assistantship applications (for on-campus students only) must be submitted very early. Assistantships are not typically awarded to students who are already in the program. Occasionally, a research project will develop and students will be recruited as graduate research assistants. Sometimes scholarship opportunities, from sponsoring groups outside of the University, become available. They are advertised to all on-campus students. In addition, the term "financial aid" is meant to include available loans which students may or may not qualify. In addition, campus jobs do become available, but they are also competitive and so students should not assume a job will be automatically available.