In regards to Columbia's stipend for NYC, actually it has proven to be more than enough for my husband at this point (about 28k - tuition and insurance covered). He has received funding to travel to conferences, and there is a summer stipend at around 3k. He currently pays 1300 for a room right by campus. We eat out often but never spend more than 15$ on a meal each. I don't support him at all, actually he's making the big bucks in our family lol, and he pays for all our activities. There is also some extra stipend for people with children (I don't remember the exact amount). BUT, two caveats - one, we went from living off of 20k joint income in another expensive city to 40, so we're frugal. Second, we haven't paid taxes yet since this is his first year... so we'll see! So far so good!