How to ask for Assistantship Decision Timeline

[surprise_quiche]

I was recently admitted to an MA program with early admission to be considered for a teaching assistantship in communications. On 1/17 they said in my acceptance email that, 

"The faculty will be meeting soon to make assistantship decisions, so I should have more information on that for you in the near future."

Is it rude to ask when that near future would be since I would like to know whether I need to apply for a fellowship separately?

[TakeruK]

It's fine to ask, but why wouldn't you apply for a fellowship anyways? Unless I am misunderstanding, isn't it better to be funded by a fellowship instead of an assistantship? (or can you be funded by both for extra income?)

[surprise_quiche]

@TakeruK Thank you! I've already applied for one, but there is another I could apply for that would be a stretch (the first gen/disadvantaged/disability graduate students) and I don't feel like I should be applying for that, since I'm not a first gen grad student, don't belong to an underrepresented group in graduate study, and the only recorded disabilities I have are mental illnesses or hearing loss. Do you have any advice on how to ask without being pushy?  

[TakeruK]

It's up to you to decide whether you think you qualify for any fellowship and while it's great that you are thinking of others, I think you might qualify for this one. But I don't know you and I don't know the fellowship so your judgement is better than mine. That said, the fellowship committee will also ensure that the fellowship goes to the right person, so if you are not sure about your eligibility, you can either ask them or apply anyways.

That said, if you don't want to apply unless you have to, I would advise you to delay asking until it's necessary to know. When is the deadline for you to decide whether or not to apply for this fellowship? 

[surprise_quiche]

@TakeruK  1/28 is when I need to submit it to the department. 

[TakeruK]

Oh wow, that is soon!

Given that today is Friday and there is a good chance you won't get a response before Monday 1/29, you probably should submit that fellowship application if you feel comfortable applying for it.

[surprise_quiche]

@TakeruK  Thanks!