James Holmes may have used grant money from the National Institutes of Health to purchase the weapons he allegedly used to kill 12 people and injure 58 others.

Included in the purchases was an assault rifle bought immediately after Holmes failed an important oral exam, according to the New York Daily News.

Holmes, the 24-year-old suspected gunman in the "Dark Knight" Aurora, Colo. shooting, was the recipient of a prestigious national NIH Training Grant while he was pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Colorado-Denver, according to school officials.

In an email to The Huffington Post, NIH explained the grant includes a "$21,600 stipend per year in 12 monthly installments to help defray living expenses while they pursue their academic research training experience."

Authorities are now determining whether or not this money was spent to amass his weapons.

NIH provided further details on the Training Grant, stating, "the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) supports a neuroscience training grant at the University of Colorado Denver (UCD). The grant annually supports pre-thesis Ph.D. students selected by the UCD Neuroscience Training Program."

However, NIH stated "the grantee institution directly administers the stipends to trainees," meaning the NIH did not pick Holmes. The NIH provides funding to CU, and the university then determines which students receive the funding. NIH could not confirm how much money Holmes actually received.

Holmes' arsenal included an assault rifle, shotgun, two semi-automatic handguns and 6,000 rounds of ammunition, estimated to cost nearly $15,000.

Tuition for doctoral students is free, and most do not work part-time jobs given the rigorous nature of the program. Holmes was reported to have only had a part-time job at McDonald's.

Barry Shur, dean of the CU graduate school, said at a press conference this week that Holmes entered the program with strong academic credentials, and that those who interacted with him did not notice any warning signs. Holmes dropped out of the elite neuroscience graduate program on June 10 after failing an oral exam. School officials said that Holmes' decision to quit was unusual.

"Scientists are quirky people," said Shur. "There are a lot of intense characters."

The program, like many other programs, does not require any sort of psychiatric examination.

Earlier on HuffPost:

Traveling Abroad Tips
Loading Slideshow...

  • Learn About The Local Laws

    Once you enter a country, you are subjected to its laws. Therefore, for your own safety, it's important to learn them before visiting. For instance, in Singapore you can be arrested for spitting in public.

  • Be Mindful Of The Culture

    Even if the new culture's way of life is unnatural to you, you want to be respectful of it. Be aware of traditions and customs so you can pack appropriate clothes or learn basic skills like how to use chopsticks.

  • Learn the native language

    Pick up enough phrases to help you when you get inevitably lost, or to ensure that you don't get ripped off at the local markets. If you're staying for awhile, then immerse yourself in the language fully to be able to spark interesting conversations everyday and become more of a member of the community. It's no fun having to always respond to someone with "I don't understand".

  • Take precautions for the worst

    Just to be safe, leave copies of your passport and address/contact information of where you are going with someone at home. Also, make a few extra copies to keep in your suitcase during your trip in case the original gets lost or stolen. Furthermore, become fully acquainted with the whereabouts of the U.S. embassy in the country you are visiting.

  • Know what may be hazardous to you

    If you are visiting a country that serves mainly spicy food and you know that won't sit well with your stomach, pack appropriate medicines and supplements. If you are visiting a country that is prone to specific bugs or diseases such as malaria, give yourself time to receive the necessary vaccinations and shots.

  • Watch the news

    Be fully up to date with the happenings in the city you are visiting as well as neighboring countries. Don't be ignorant of potential dangers.

  • Be smart with your belongings

    Always firmly hold your belongings in a way that they can't be snatched from you and don't dress extravagantly in expensive jewelry or accessories. Travelling abroad may turn you into a photographer but be cautious of flaunting your digital SLR camera. It's important not to make yourself seem vulnerable to robbery and theft.

  • Keep in touch just enough

    Though you shouldn't lose touch with your family and friends at home, don't let them inhibit your experience. Consider starting a blog or sending a postcard from your travels so your family and friends can be kept up to date on your adventures. Be in contact enough so you don't lose touch with what's happening at home but also focus on your adventure.

  • Travel

    If you're spending a more lengthy time abroad, take advantage of your location to travel. A ticket to Berlin may cost you 200 euros, but do you know how much it costs to get from the U.S. to berlin? About 100x more.

  • Do What Natives Do

    This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Ride the elephant in Thailand, drink the snake blood in Vietnam, go sand duning in Dubai and brave through the Singaporean fish pedicure. And have fun!