Funding for summer before grad school?

[NCPolPsych]

Hey guys. This may be a silly question, but are there typically any funding opportunities for the summer before study begins? It just seems like moving to a new city, buying all the essentials plus stuff like a new laptop, etc, may run up quite the bill. How are you all expecting to deal with this, or am I just broke-er than most and super anxious as a result? 

[MrsPhD]

You might want to e-mail the DGS and ask if there are any professors who might need an RA during the summer. Someone could pay you to work remotely on a project. Usually, they pay by the hour. 

[TakeruK]

In my field, you should chat with your POI/potential advisor to see if they would be able to fund you if you start early.

Alternatively, some schools (like my PhD program) offers a no-fee, no-interest startup loan ($2500, paid back over 18 months after a 6 month grace period) to help with these initial moving costs.

[guest56436]

4 hours ago, TakeruK said:

In my field, you should chat with your POI/potential advisor to see if they would be able to fund you if you start early.

Not very common in political science, we don't usually get funded through professors' external grants.

Although I agree it doesn't hurt to ask people in your department if anyone is looking for a RA. 

I think the most straightforward answer is probably to get a temporary summer job (could be anything).

Edited April 12, 2018 by Comparativist

[CarefreeWritingsontheWall]

Some programs offer small moving grants for those arriving internationally. I had a $500 allowance to help with travel but that was included in my letter of offer. I know of people who got funding through their department for language training the summer before they started or started to RA before arriving as well. Never hurts to reach out.