How to get the dough
Grants & Scholarhips
Apply for anything and everything that you qualify for. Some big ones include Javits and NSF fellowships, but there are many other smaller grants out there too. It makes the department happy to have you being funded outside of the department, by freeing up more funding for more smart students like you!
Get on the IRIS funding alert e-mail list. See Camilla Strausfeld. Her email is: cstrausf@u.arizona.edu
When you meet with your advisor, ask them about funding possibilities, if they are aware of any opportunities that you should know about.
TA/RAships
The primary departmental funding source for students is Graduate Assistantships (TA or RA positions). You may not get the particular teaching or research position that you want, but whatever the assistantship, you will gain knowledge and experience which will benefit your academic development. (And you’re getting funded, so YAY!)