Rules and Guidelines for Trinity Fellows 2025-2027

Commitment

  • 21 months: August 2025 – May 2027
  • Full-time graduate study (9 credits maximum per semester)
  • Off-campus graduate assistantship - see Graduate Assistantship below
  • Attend monthly reflections – see Student Reflection Meetings below.
  • For a more detailed overview of expectations, guidelines, and resources please refer to the Trinity Fellows Handbook.

Important Dates

  • Trinity Fellows Program Orientation Activities: August 18th – 22nd, 2025
  • Graduate School Orientation: Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
  • First day of classes for Graduate School: August 25th, 2025
  • Nonprofit agency placement starts: week of September 2nd, 2025
    • specific date to be confirmed with your supervisor

Tuition & Participation Fees

  • Tuition is covered in full, with the expectation that Fellows enroll as full-time graduate students, taking 9 credits per semester, up to 36 credits total.
  • Fellows are expected to complete graduate program in two academic years (four semesters) 
  • Tuition scholarship DOES NOT cover tuition associated with foundational or undergraduate prerequisite courses, or audited courses. In addition, the tuition scholarship does not cover graduate fees or any late fees incurred by the student. 
  • Fellows will be billed a participation fee in the amount of $625 per semester for four semesters, totaling $2,500 for the full Trinity experience. 
  • Bills sent must be paid prior to the beginning of each semester. Payment plans may be available through the bursars office. 

Graduate Assistantship

Each Fellow is assigned to work in a Milwaukee nonprofit/public agency for the 21-month fellowship period. This is considered an off-campus graduate service assistantship, which begins the first week in September 2025 and ends May 31, 2027. For more information, please see the Graduate Assistant Handbook.

 

Work Schedule

September 3, 2025– May 30, 202, 18 hours per week

June 2, 2026 – August 8, 2026, 40 hours per week

August 11, 2026 – May 29, 2027, 18 hours per week

Stipend

  • Fellow will receive 47 bi-weekly payments of $804.53, totaling $37,812.91 over the course of all 21 months, assuming full participation. 
  • These payments are equivalent to approximately $1,800 per month
  • Stipends are considered taxable income.
  • You will receive a payroll calendar prior to the start of the program.

Core Courses 

Each Fellow is required to take 3 core courses, beginning with the following Trinity core course during Fall 2025. Information on how to enroll in these courses and details of other core course requirements will be given at the orientation.

Fall 2025

NPSE 6521 – Trends in the Social Sector: Social Innovation and Systems Change

 


Student Benefits

Agencies provide the following benefits to Fellows:

  • Vacation: 7.5 hours accrued per month, used in accordance with Agency notification policy.
  • Sick Time: 6.5 hours accrued per month, used in accordance with Agency notification policy.

Professional Development

Fellows receive $400 per year to cover costs associated with professional development opportunities. The process to apply for these funds will be covered during the Trinity orientation.

Socials

Trinity establishes a social committee made up of 2nd year Fellows who oversee planning monthly social events for both cohorts. 

Healthcare

The Graduate School will provide stipend supplements to all those being paid through the formal title of Graduate Assistant/Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant/Fellow at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ. This stipend supplement can be used to help offset health insurance costs. Trinity Fellows are eligible for the Full Supplement, which is $400 per semester, or $800 per year. You can find more information regarding healthcare on the graduate student healthcare options page.

 

Fellow-Recommended Resources

Student Reflection Meetings

Reflection meetings for Trinity Fellows are held one Friday per month. Meetings are usually held from 9am to 2pm, with lunch following. A schedule will be issued each semester. These meetings are mandatory and should be taken into account when planning work and personal schedule.

Participant Contracts

Organization 

A contract is made with each participating host organization for the 21-month placement commitment.

Fellow

Trinity Fellows are issued a letter with terms of fellowship benefits prior to the beginning of each academic year. Students submit their signed agreement to the Graduate School.

Renewal to the 2nd year of the Trinity Fellows Program requires completion of all program requirements and a satisfactory performance in their academic program, placement site and Trinity program engagement.

Trinity Program Staff


Natalie Reinbold, Director | 414-288-0637

Alisha Klapps Balistreri, Assistant Director | 414-288-0260

Peggy Mead, Program Assistant | 414-288-5473