lauren20

Okay, thank you both for your feedback. I don't know if the scholarship is designated tuition-only (but I wouldn't be surprised if it is), but there are two different scholarships that combine for a total of $12K so I'm hoping maybe one has fewer restrictions on it. So it doesn't say "tuition scholarship," but it does say that it's going to be posted to my online account each semester where the tuition is billed. I'm still hoping that maybe I can convince them to give me SOMETHING since this is one of the few GSA positions in the university that does not offer a stipend with it. I can deal with taking out loans for living expenses, but obviously it would be better not to Does anyone know of any unrestricted grad scholarships out there? (for living expenses) I'm sure they are few and far between... thanks again for your help and if anyone has any other insight please post it!

Thanks for taking a look at my question in advance I'm wondering if anyone can provide any insight... So here's the situation: I received a $12,000 scholarship/year, which covers roughly 75% of in-state tuition. However, I just found out that I was awarded a GSA position through another department in the university, which will cover full tuition reimbursement - very happy about that, it's a great position. But, I'm wondering, what is the likelihood that the school would transfer "tuition dollars" (the $12K scholarship) to cash for living expenses?? I was just wondering if anyone has had any similar experience in the past, and what I can expect the school's response to be. I'm also not sure how most universities (as opposed to employers) handle tuition reimbursement. I'm visiting the school at the end of the month and I'll inquire about how the scholarship might change, but I figured it would be best to go in having a rough idea of how they might respond and how to ask for what I want, etc. I'm just confused because both offers are tuition-related so I don't know how that changes things. :| Any ideas?? Thanks!

awesome ertanner!!!! congrats!! do you think you'll choose pitt?

good news!!! I got an e-mail from GSPIA this morning for a $12,000 scholarship (tuition) for the first year, and it's renewable for the second. It feels good to not be in a constant state of "freak-out" and checking my e-mail every 5 seconds. I saw that someone posted that they received a funding offer from GSPIA last night (posted under another topic), and my friend also received an e-mail this morning. So it seems that they may be sending out the notifications at slightly different times. good luck to everyone!

Yeah, I called them last week and they said that they were going to make offers this week and that award letters would be posted to our online accounts the same way that the acceptance letters were. If I don't receive anything by Friday, I'm going to call again and see if they've been sent out. Thanks for staying in touch and let me/us know if you hear anything else! Do you know yet which school you are leaning toward?

Just making sure... I'm new to all this grad school stuff thanks!

Unfortunately I'm not able to fly to Pittsburgh this weekend, so I won't be able to attend the Open House. But for you folks that are considering GSPIA, have you received any financial offer from them yet? I called last week and they said they would be making offers this week. The waiting game is killer... Also, in response to the post above, Pitt requests your decision by May 1st (when you send in the deposit), not April 15th, right? Thanks!

Hi all, Is it common at all for a GSA position to provide tuition only and no stipend award? I know that my university has a standard stipend rate across schools and departments, but is the stipend only standard if it is offered at all? I know that the position for which I am applying would cover full tuition but it makes no mention of the stipend. (Perhaps the university at large pays the stipend portion and the individual departments determine how much tuition will be paid?) I'm planning to ask the woman in charge of hiring for the position, but I haven't had a chance to connect with her recently and I'm a little nervous to ask. :-/ I expected that a stipend was automatic, but maybe I was wrong? I'm confused and worried... so thank you for your responses in advance!

Congrats on GSPIA! I was accepted there as well... all I know about $$ is that the letter I received (viewed online in my "Apply Yourself" account) said that scholarship offers would be mailed in late March. and it also said that you will ONLY receive a letter if you are offered funding. so I am also playing the waiting game. please post a message if you receive a scholarship offer!