Doctoral students receive financial support through a variety of mechanisms, such as teaching assistantships, research assistantships or proctorships. These support structures are intended to enable students to pursue their education and scholarly activities that lead to a dissertation. Stipends that are awarded to doctoral students are, in particular, meant to allow the student to focus on their studies and scholarly work. The policy sets parameters and a process to guide stipended students who are not otherwise barred from such activity by visa rules or requirements imposed by outside agency funding.