emmh

After four years of dropping my jaw when overhearing the price of US university tuition, I am tentatively looking into applying to US grad schools. My main question is finances/ funding. My undergrad CPGA sits at 3.57 with one ridiculously low mark in a different program. My GPA last year was 3.82 and in my field (English) I sit at just over 3.7. I did well in a competitive research seminar in my department. The experience really made me confident that I will enjoy research at the graduate level. My grand plan was to apply again to UT for my MA, shell out the "cash-cow" 7000.00 for tuition and suck up living with my parents for my MA and then hopefully find generous financial assistance wherever I find my PhD program. 1. Are terminable MAs in general unfunded for a person of my academic standing? (I have yet to battle with the GRES) Also, what percentage of tuition does "funding" in general for an average candiate cover? I like the idea of doing my MA somewhere other than Toronto, since I won't be getting any financial assistance there anyway, but I'd like it to cost under 20,000. 2. What are the chances I could get substantial funding for a PhD track program at a decent school? (I want to keep my total debt under 50,000 Cdn. Note: I am mega frugal and have managed to live on 850.00 a month before, with 725.00 rent.) I apologize... I know these are a ridiculously broad questions but I am quite unsure of the financial side of things. For example, UC Irvine offers a 15,000 TA ship/funding package but the website states: "Applicants should also be prepared to document at the time of application sufficient funds to cover all fees, non-resident tuition, living expenses, and transportation. Currently the required amount for single students for one year of academic study is $37,755 (this is subject to change)." I presume this amount only covers academic fees. So that leaves you paying almost 20,000 per year in tuition alone which is totally unfeasible for me, personally. Is this about average, or is there better funding/ cheaper tuition out there, United States of America?!