How does external funding contribute to a graduate students financial support, and where can students find such opportunities?
External funding, such as scholarships or grants, provides financial support outside of the university or government. Students can find these opportunities independently, and the U.S. Department of Education maintains a list.
Below is an instruction that describes a task. Write a response that appropriately completes the request.

### Instruction:
How does external funding contribute to a graduate students financial support, and where can students find such opportunities?

### Input: Not applicable

### Response:
External funding, such as scholarships or grants, provides financial support outside of the university or government. Students can find these opportunities independently, and the U.S. Department of Education maintains a list.<|im_end|>