ct1993

Thank you to everyone who answered. I think Biochem Mom's response was most along the lines of what I was looking for. Although the stipend was reasonable for my field (physics), I have decided not to attend because I really can't take on any more debt right now.

I've tried everything I can think of. I did the appeal process through the department, and didn't get anywhere. Though the project is in engineering, my POI made it clear that they don't have any funding that they could use to support me and I have had very limited success with outside sources. The department's final offer was a TA position for $19,800 per year, but I have $600 per month in loan payments for $7,200 per year. I applied for and won a $1,500 per year scholarship from the university's alumni association, but that still means trying to live on $14,100 per year in an area with fairly high living costs. I've come to realize that unless they can make an exceptionally generous offer, it just not going to work, so I'm just looking for some help declining the offer as respectfully as possible.

Thank you for your response. I wasn't going to literally say "Better luck with other graduate students", but something to that effect, I just have no idea how to word it. Also, I think I exhausted the list of possible funding source, so I doubt there will be some kind of white knight situation at the last minute.

I recently received my first and (most likely) only acceptance for a PhD program. Unfortunately, after reviewing the funding off and my own finances (private student loans), I realized there is no way that I can afford to attend. I appealed the funding offer, but the deptartment said there is nothing they can do to help me. My question is how to go about turning down the offer. My POI that I interviewed with has been really enthusiastic and supportive throughout the application process and already has a project planned for me. How do I go about turning down the offer without hurting their feelings? Every time I try to right the email, I end with something really generic like "I'm sorry to inform you that I cannot afford to attend your program. Better luck with other graduate students," and I feel like they deserve a bit more than that. Does anybody have an advice or woud you be willing to help me get started?