hikarizx

Hi everyone! It's been a while since there were posts in here.. so I got a last minute funding offer from LBJ and I have to decide if I want to go! I had already accepted another offer but it was at a local lower-ranked school.. but now with this funding it definitely changes things. Anyone have any advice or any info about why you chose LBJ? I think I'm going to take it but I am wondering if anyone else has an opinion. Thanks!

Do you have other debt currently? If not the $40k doesn't sound too bad. I had slightly less after undergrad and my payments were only about $300/month. Other than that I don't think I can give much of an opinion based on the limited information you provided.

I think it depends on how much of a cost difference you're looking at. I can't tell exactly the cost based on what you said, but if you're looking at about $40k vs the $62k in debt, I would go with your preferred program. If you were looking at something like $20k vs. $60k that might be different in my opinion.

I think a lot of it depends on what you want to study because all of your degrees are different programs. If you don't really want to study social work I don't know if I would go to Columbia, though.

I would just contact the financial aid office for clarification.

To my knowledge you can apply for PLUS loans but it's a separate process.

There is a maximum amount you can borrow for federal direct loans. They probably offered you the max.

You might want to reach out to current students in the program and ask them about it because it could vary depending on the school. I personally would find something that will allow flexible hours/working on the weekend. Or something that will allow you some leeway to study at work. Like I said, it could vary depending on the school - if electives from other departments are offered during the day, you want to do an internship, or there are campus events going on, that may make a difference. During my senior year of undergrad I took 15 credits, worked 20 hrs/week, and did an internship, but that's undergrad. From that experience I can say it was difficult but doable. You can find out from current students what to expect for how much time you'll need to spend on school work outside of class, which I think would be helpful.

Thank you for the information. I appreciate seeing the different perspectives and I think it's interesting they told you in that field they're looking for people NOT in the top programs. I'm also very considerate of the "stuff happens" factor. I haven't experienced anything like that, but it's true that you never know!

Would you have chosen a less expensive program if you had the option? Just wondering since that's what I'm trying to figure out.

For me I'm not necessarily worried about it for political reasons, but I'm not really willing to bank on it. I wish there was something more concrete. I think everyone knows there needs to be significant student loan/college cost reform but it just hasn't happened yet...

That makes sense. Thanks! I have undergrad debt as well as a car loan so it would be different if I was starting from 0 but I'm not..

I think if you want to live/work in Europe it makes sense to go to school there. I don't know specifics about how the UN makes hiring decisions though.. from what I've heard it's about who you know.

I thought schools were required to tell you by April 15. Are they non-US schools?

I'm applying to masters programs and not PhDs, but I would say you need to make a decision NOW and let the school know. I don't know the rules but if you're going to do it I think it's important that you do it as soon as possible.

Right? There are also opportunities for GA/TA positions at schools, but I won't know if I can get one until after I'm already enrolled. It's so hard to plan ahead when you don't know that information. I'm hoping they find a way to reform student loans but unfortunately it's not happening in time for me!

As I'm sure you know, the lower the monthly payments, the higher the interest. So while it's probably doable, the extra amount you pay in interest definitely adds up. So I guess it just depends on your financial priorities. Do you think it's worth doing the better program, though? I mean, I basically have a free option.. as far as rankings go I'm probably looking at top 20 vs. top 50 for the state school. I'm not sure how much it matters with the MPP/MPA program.

I'm planning on going into public service but I'm afraid of banking on the 10 year repayment scheme. If I were to lose my job and be forced to work in a non-public service position, or if I have kids in the next ten years or something, I'm not sure what would happen..

I'm glad other people received help on here, but I'd like to clarify on my personal situation in case anyone has info specifically for me.. I got into some good policy schools - Michigan, Washington, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin.. but I got very little funding. Not necessarily "big name" schools but they are well-respected for their policy programs. The one that offered full funding is my local state school, UConn. It's a good school and the program is good but just not on the same level as the others. I'm also not sure if I have the opportunity to study exactly what I want to study. I'm interested in international/global public policy and while UConn has options to take electives in other departments, the program isn't pre-designed for this type of policy like some of the other schools. (For example, I was accepted into the International Public Affairs program at Wisconsin, which is specifically focused on my policy area of interest.) Still, it's the same degree, and I think if I do my research I can probably find courses in other departments on the subjects I'm interested in.

I'm in a similar situation. I already have about 30k from undergrad so I don't think I can afford to go without some kind of assistance and only 2 programs out of the ones I applied for have offered any funding so far..

I didn't apply to UMass but I'm basically in the same situation with UConn. I was also offered the funding and stipend and I could live at home. I'm also interested in international/global policy and I'm concerned about the lack of ability to study that at UConn. I'm trying to find out what courses are available for electives in other departments.. I'm hoping I can sort of create my own specialization, but I'm not sure how difficult it would be.

Hi everyone, I'm sure a lot of people are concerned about the cost of funding grad school, and I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts/advice. So I was accepted by my state school's MPA program and they offered me a GA position with a stipend and tuition remission. I could also live at home, which means I shouldn't have to take out any loans for my degree. I applied to a lot of other schools but none of them offered much merit-based funding. (One school offered in-state tuition, which is helpful, but still requires me to pay in-state plus the cost of rent, etc.) The in-state school is definitely a good school and has a good reputation, but their public policy department is not well-known. I have about $30,000 left in loans from undergrad plus a car loan, so I'm concerned about taking on too much additional debt when I intend to pursue a career in public service. I'm just wondering what everyone else's thoughts are regarding in-state school and no additional debt vs. out-of-state with a well-known program. I am putting it in this forum because I'm wondering about this specifically in regards to the MPA/MPP degree. Thank you for reading and for your thoughts!

I'm just wondering if anyone knows how need-based funding works for grad school. When do schools send out that information? I'm expecting mostly loans but it's possible that they can offer grants as well, correct? Thanks.

I'm wondering about this too.. different schools but I was offered a position and I have to reply by March 30.

It probably depends on your field. As an objective outside person, I think they both have great reputations, so I wouldn't worry so much. If they have very different levels of prestige in your area, then I would take it into consideration.