Is this kind of financial package common?

[Postbib Yeshuist]

Just finished a visit to Iliff School of Theology. When I asked what their financial packages were, they said they range from 75-100% tuition and the sentence ended there. When I asked about stipends, they said they had two for the top candidates (of which I am one), but that they didn't amount to much more than books. I then asked about TA/RA positions as supplemental income and the response was that those typically come in the 2nd & 3rd years, but that the extra income reduces the tuition scholarship, so that you're never above 100%. Oh yeah, no financial aid whatsoever while working on your dissertation. So... Iliff's best candidates can expect perhaps $3000/year beyond tuition and will be expected to effectively work for free their 2nd and 3rd years.

Is this common for top candidates? Seems almost insulting to me.

[flynnkc]

Well, let me give my 2 cents. It looks like you're a United Methodist, judging by your choices of schools. I imagine that the United Methodists (having previously been one myself) like their own kind. I know they pay for their students to get MDivs, as many denominations will do, and I wonder if they are as kind to PhD students. Perhaps find a local UM church and talk to a pastor about funding? Or, contact the school or bishop to find out what other students have done. If you're not a UM, then I guess that's a different story...

But that does seem low, to me. And why on earth would a TA o RA position negate any other financial offers and cap you at 100%? That seems odd...