Meet Cullen Boyle, a Ph.D. student in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering department at West Virginia University.

We asked him some questions regarding his experience as a researcher in a graduate assistantship at WVU, and this is what he had to say:

If you're a college graduate, you know that college is expensive and that thinking about financing graduate school can be stressful. In fact, without scholarship aid, many students would not be able to afford college at all, let alone attend graduate school.

But if you really invest the time to do your research, you can find numerous ways to fund your tuition!

Choosing a graduate school education now or later?

It’s one of the most frequently asked questions we hear from graduate student hopefuls. Your days may already be packed with a full- or part-time job, social commitments, and more. You’re probably wondering if you can squeeze in more school and coursework into your already-busy schedule.

When you’re considering graduate school, it’s important to keep in mind the big picture. Understanding that a graduate degree is an investment in your future...

The rising cost of tuition.

The time it takes to earn a graduate degree.

The uncertainty about employment and salary post-graduation.

Is it all worth it for a master’s degree?

We know there’s a lot to consider when you’re choosing a graduate school. It’s not only a financial investment, but also an investment of your limited time and energy. That’s why we want to give you some insight into three popular graduate degree fields and reveal what you need to know about the real ROI of Graduate...

You may already be familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (better known as FAFSA) from your days as an undergrad. It’s the most popular method of financing graduate school, providing over $150 billion each year to millions of students, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

FAFSA is a great option if you need to finance your master’s degree, but the deadline for the 2017-2018 school year is approaching faster than you might think.

WVU is here to share the top three...

Are you considering starting graduate school in the fall? If so, you’ve probably already done most of your research on schools, programs, and tuition. But what research have you done on funding your graduate degree?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from January 2006-July 2016 college tuition rates increased by 63 percent. The cost of a degree, whether it be a bachelor’s, master’s or Ph.D., is increasing each year.

Sure, you can take out private loans, but what most do not know is...

With continuing increases in tuition, thinking about financing graduate school can be stressful, but you probably know that scholarships are a great way to fund your education.

In fact, without scholarship aid, many students would not be able to afford college at all, let alone attend graduate school. If you really invest the time to do valuable research, you will find numerous opportunities to earn money toward your tuition.

The quotable Benjamin Franklin once said that “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Well, thanks Ben, but what if you don’t have the money to invest in knowledge in the first place?

If education is an asset you value, but you need some help getting there, check out these tips for attending the best college possible for your dollar.

As graduate school application experts, we’ve seen some glaring errors over the years. We’re also aware of a few issues that come up time and again but seem harmless. These are our red flags—they won’t make or break your application but can really damage your graduate school experience and the grad school application process. Take a look at these four easily avoidable mistakes before you apply to grad school.