Wow...
I have already accepted an offer, registered for classes, found an apartment in a different city, etc. I received an unofficial offer via email from the progam director in early May that was shortly followed by an official acceptance letter with a $15,000 assistantship offer with full tuition waiver from dean of the college.
On Friday, I recieved an award letter (the official binding contract that requires my signature) from the department head (whom I have never met) that is $1500 less than what I committed to. There is no reference to the previous amount that I was offered or why it has changed. ( Am I entitled to know why, or should I just be appreciateve that I am receiving anything?) I have since turned down an offer at another school, based on the previous offer.
I have taken time off from work to travel to said different city to meet with the program director (who is now my advisor). I was under the impression that it went extremeley well. I feel like he could have at least given me a head's up or something. You would have never known from the impersonal wording of the form letter that I had taken the time to travel to the school earlier in the summer.
Now, I am very appreciative to have any offer, but this kind of takes the wind out of my sails. Of course, I will call my advisor to make sure that this amount is not a mistake, but it doesn't look like it is.
How can I ask what is going on without sounding ungrateful and hostile?
(I sure was glad that I recieved the letter on a Friday afternoon, so I could have time to cool off over the weekend)
Thanks in advance for your replies.