Hi all,
I have almost decided to accept USC's EE PhD offer, but I suddenly found out that the fellowship (Annenberg, $34000 per year (1 year fellowship+3 year TA/RA) provides 'Payment of up to 36 units of tuition to be used for courses counting towards the PhD degree', while completing the PhD program requires 60 units. From USC's website, each unit costs over 2000 dollars, which is very expensive if I have to pay for the remaining 24 units myself...I expected that I could save $7.7k~14k each year without considering the tuition fees. but if the 24 units are included, I have to pay 12k each year for 4 years....
The handbook says "If you wish to exceed the number of units stated in your offer letter, please contact your academic department’s staff graduate advisor for advisement. Requests for additional tuition over the fellowship are reviewed on a case by case basis by the GAPP Office." But I'm not sure whether it's hard or easy to get additional tuition fees paid...
I have the following questions:
Do I really need to pay the remaining 24 units by myself?
If that's true, does anyone has any advice on balancing the tight budgets....
Thanks in advance!