Falmouth

I hate to disagree with you again but the average indebtedness of a current college graduate is 20K. After 20 years paying 2K a year most loans would have long since been paid off. Those with outrageous debt are another story and very few qualify for debt forgiveness. I don't personally know of anyone who has rec'd it. If you can show a link to how easy it is to qualify for please do. And by the way the unemployment rate of recent high school only graduates is off the charts and there is very little construction occurring now compared to ten years ago. Have you checked the numbers for new housing starts ? I do agree that vocational and technical schooling should be expanded and fewer students should be steered into a four year degree. Students should be actively counseled in high school and even before on employment prospects for the various degrees.

First of all for those who say don't go to college and get a job out of high school ? With the economy the way it has been for the last several years, where are these jobs and especially the ones that pay a living wage ? It's difficult to work at Target and be financially independent. This is why many go to college. Secondly, do more research on the law. It is only for Federal loans and only for those since '08 ( I think). Loan forgiveness after 20 years is only for those in certain public jobs. Loan consolidation will help by lowering interest rate and total payments. I don't think this is that big a deal but the President can only do so much by executive order.

I'm thinking that with RA/TA you are limited to 3 classes per quarter. It takes longer to progress because of this. Those with fellowships or full funding can take 5 classes if really motivated and progress faster. I could be wrong but I know people who were restricted.

If you are still around, it would seem best to ask your professor with a PhD from Stanford his opinion of your chances. He would best know how your GPA would compare. Your GRE would be fine for all in my opinion since you're an International. Stanford and Berkeley only take the very highest GPA wise and I have no knowledge of San Diego. If it is not as exclusive academically as the other you should have a decent chance. That's all you can ask for now days.

What does the one have to do with the other ? Stafford loans of both types will only be thru the govt. Private loans will still be available. I haven't heard if the max loan per year in school for the federal will change.

Don't worry about it and move on.

I agree with the last statement, fees and anything required for a course or the program. I think this is a recent change. Also not mentioned, you don't have to pay social security or medicare on fellowship money. And it is considered earned income so you can contribute to an IRA.

22k sounds like it is for 3 quarters which is very easily done if living in graduate housing.

No, if you go back further on here, someone posted that NSF did not get all the money they requested. Congress cut the money, but it was still an increase.

For Federal, $5K not taxed but state may be, depending on state.

Yes, but if you look at a small field it looks like about half of the awards are for undergrads. But I don't know where an actual breakdown can be found.

Just want to also say that I believe there will be more awards this year. Not from the stimulus, but because it's in the news release for both the 09 and 10 NSF budget requests.

So explain the whole process since you're an expert. How do they all get ranked and then the selected groups reviewed a third time ? How are the areas weighted and what is the impact of underrepresented groups ? Just trying to understand the process. Thanks

Remember these are professors doing the reviewing. They are not full time employees of NSF and it must take a lot of time to get the reviews done and all coordinated.

I think they notify near April 1st so that Schools will have made their offers to most students and the students can then make their decisions based on this additional funding in the equation. This new information can affect funding offered by the schools.

This also. Funding for 700 more fellows. But don't know how many more per year. Also, this is the request. Actual funding for 09 not posted yet. Good luck to all. http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?c ... &from=news

The problem is that advisors need new money for new students and in many instances to fund students which they already have who were given one year fellowships. New grant money has been very tight with the change in administrations and with the stimulus package just passed, programs are waiting to see if they will recieve more. Because of this, many programs are accepting fewer students or are taking longer to notify.

I think a decrease in funded slots is having a major impact and that this is definitely the most difficult year in a long time. Current students are also having difficulty with funding. Not all students are guaranteed funding for more than their first year.

To clear up a misconception, GRFP does not pay full tuition. It pays up to 10500 for tuition. The school makes up the difference.

It's decision time and down to 2 schools for Civil. Stanford and Illinois. Both with funding I never thought possible. I love Stanford but IL gave me lots of attention and love first. Both are great schools with great advisors. I'm really conflicted. Stanford is great and has the name, etc. But my contact at IL has been so good to me all along. The funding at IL is also a little better because of the cost of living. Any thoughts from knowledgeable, understanding persons ?

How many reviewers are there for each field of study ? It seems the ratings are very subjective to the rater. If all are reviewed by the same reviewers then not quite so random. If many different then chance plays a big part. Are any statistics by program ever made available ?

Maybe they are waiting for accepteds to decline so they have a spot to offer. I'm in at UCB, Stanford, and GT with funding of those on your list. I'm waiting on outside fellowships so I can make a final decison. Not being rejected so far is probably a positive and is like being on the waitlist (just a guess) Good luck. I hope to be able to to notify by sometime next week.

Maybe you negotiate by waiting and being silent. If you're desired by a school, they may offer more without asking. I've been visiting and waiting to hear about funding. In the meantime, one of my top schools e-mailed that I have been given an even better fellowship with all kinds of perks. Then, what was my dream school initially, added more funding to what was previously a weak offer making my choice even more difficult. I'm still waiting to hear on outside funding that I thought was iffy. But, given my unexpected success thus far, who knows ? During this new waiting period, will I recieve further offers, making a difficult choice all the more complicated ? Hopefully this will be wrapped up soon so I can notify and free up funding for others. Good luck to all hoping for funding.

Looking for advice, also. Illinois or Stanford for PhD in Civil ? Much better funding at IL. Finances would be very tight at Stanford given high COL. Illinois is one of the top programs just like Stanford. Is there any reason to pick Stanford other than name and location ? Thanks for this consideration.