The GRFP Application requires you to select the academic level that best describes the stage of your academic career. Use the GRFP Academic Level Questionnaire to help you select the appropriate academic level in your application. Levels are determined as follows:
Level 1. You have not previously enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program but plan to start graduate study next fall. Includes undergraduates in the final year of a bachelor’s degree program and individuals who previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
Level 2. You are a first-year graduate student currently enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program, or you are a student currently enrolled in a joint Bachelor’s-Master’s degree program (must be in the final year of the program and enroll in a doctoral program at the beginning of the academic year immediately following the academic award year of the joint degree). Must never have applied to GRFP before as a graduate student or returning graduate student. Must not have a graduate degree and must not have completed more than one academic year of graduate study while enrolled in any graduate degree-granting program.
Level 3. You are a second-year graduate student currently enrolled in a graduate degree-granting program. Must never have applied to GRFP before as a graduate student or returning graduate student. Must not have a graduate degree and must not have completed more than one academic year of graduate study while enrolled in any graduate degree-granting program.
Level 4. You are planning to return to graduate school. You are not currently enrolled in a degree-granting graduate program. You have not been enrolled in a graduate-degree granting program or awarded a master’s or professional degree for at least two years prior to the GRFP application deadline (most recent enrollment or award must be prior to October of two years ago). Note: address the reasons for the interruption and why you should be considered to be in the early stages of your graduate education in the Personal, Relevant Background, and Future Goals Statement.
