Department Awards & Scholarships

Undergraduate and graduate students in the Africology and African American Studies Department are eligible to be nominated for the following awards and scholarships. Superior academic achievement is a prerequisite for nomination.

  • The Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Award is given to a successful student who best represents the department’s commitment to community work and public action. Harper was a Black abolitionist, suffragist, poet, temperance activist, teacher, public speaker and writer. One of the first African American women to be published in the United States in 1845, Harper became a public figure who championed Black women’s suffrage and educational goals in 19th century Philadelphia.
  • The Annie D. Hyman Award is given to a successful student to honor the founder of the Pan-African Studies Community Education Program (PASCEP) at Temple University. In 1975, Ms. Hyman pioneered the PASCEP education program for adults initiating GED courses. Under Ms. Hyman’s leadership, PASCEP instituted a prison program and collaborated with Temple students conducting workshops, Kwanzaa programs and teaching courses for the inmates at Graterford Prison.
  • The Octavius V. Catto Award is named for the renowned African American activist, leader and teacher who best articulated the goals and objectives of the African American community in Philadelphia. He was martyred while promoting voter registration, on the first Election Day, after passage of the 15th Amendment in 1871. The award recognizes the successful student who demonstrates, in particular, foremost dedication and academic excellence in sociopolitical issues that concern Black society. The department recognizes Catto’s contribution to freedom at an annual ceremony near his monument at Philadelphia’s City Hall.
  • The Stephen P. Couvillion Scholarship is established to honor the memory of a former graduate student who studied in our department from 2008–2010. Initiated by Stephen’s family, the scholarship is awarded to the successful MA student who demonstrates unusual initiative and academic commitment to research and scholarship. The Stephen P. Couvillion Award represents one of the highest and most prestigious awards given in the department.

Research and Teaching Assistantships 

As a graduate student, you may apply for a research or teaching assistantship.

  • Research assistantships are awarded competitively. Research assistants work up to 20 hours a week and are compensated with a basic health insurance plan, a stipend and tuition remission.
  • Teaching assistantships typically require you to work 20 hours a week in support of the department’s undergraduate programs. You’ll be compensated with a basic health insurance plan, nine credits of tuition remission per term and a nine-month stipend.

Learn more about becoming a graduate teaching or research assistant. 

Graduate Fellowships

Fellowships are available through Temple’s graduate school for students with exceptional academic records. They include

  • presidential fellowships, which are reserved for only the most outstanding candidates; and
  • university fellowships, which are intended to support students who demonstrate outstanding potential for success in their chosen fields.

These fellowships provide a stipend plus tuition for two years. Learn more about fellowship opportunities for graduate students.

Fellowship Advising

Find information regarding fellowships on the Scholar Development and Fellowships Advising page including resources for preparing a competitive application.

If you are considering applying for a graduate fellowship, schedule an appointment to meet with the fellowships advisor.

Federal Financial Aid

Federal Stafford Loans

Applying for federal Stafford loans requires completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). At Temple University, unsubsidized Stafford loans are available to full-time graduate students up to a maximum amount of $20,500 annually.

Federal Work-study

Eligibility for the Federal Work-study Program is based on the applicant’s need as determined by the information on the applicant’s FAFSA. In addition, students must be enrolled at least half time and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students are paid biweekly for hours worked.

Learn about aid, scholarship and work-study options at Student Financial Services and find information on costs, aid and more for graduate students.

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