Financial Aid Questions

[Kantattheairport]

Perhaps it would be useful to have a thread for questions regarding finances at various institutions?

In any case, my question: does anyone know if UT Austin's financial aid (in the form of assistantships and scholarships) is enough to get by on? I ask because mid-application it began to sound to me as though it might not be, and after last year I'm not trying to apply to places that don't offer full financial support.

[Duns Eith]

The application might have questions required by the government, the university, or the college of arts and sciences/grad college. Unless you believe the question was specifically issued from the philosophy department, then don't take it as a warning that the phil dept doesn't adequately fund.

[Duns Eith]

P.S.

Did you read this page?

https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/philosophy/graduate/Admissions.php

It says a bit about financial aid at UT Austin. And to ask Sally Jackson if you have questions.

 

If you're wondering about cost of living:

https://www.areavibes.com/austin-tx/cost-of-living/

Edited December 17, 2018 by Duns Eith

[Kantattheairport]

 

11 hours ago, Duns Eith said:

P.S.

Did you read this page?

https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/philosophy/graduate/Admissions.php

It says a bit about financial aid at UT Austin. And to ask Sally Jackson if you have questions.

 

If you're wondering about cost of living:

https://www.areavibes.com/austin-tx/cost-of-living/

I did read that page, but was thrown off by questions on the form - what you say about some questions not pertaining to the department makes sense!

And that page looks like a good resource; thank you!

[The_Last_Thylacine]

I've generally heard that if you're going to live in Austin on that kind of stipend, you're going to need a roommate. Now, the stipend does vary considerably at Austin, because the funding packages they offer differ significantly. For undergraduates applying, there is a certain standard package of around $1,500/month, and those holding an MA receive about +$200 more/month, and then after you finish classes and begin teaching, you receive another raise so you make just under $1,900/month. Tuition costs under $400/semester after scholarships and tuition reductions. My professor who recently graduated from UT had a package of around $17,000/two semester, plus a fairly comprehensive health insurance plan. I have seen one undergraduate on here receive a fairly low offer of around $12,000 per two/semesters. I take it that the department used some of the university funding to recruit a better student, but I can't be sure. His offer was anomalously low. I have also seen someone report a stipend of $34,000 as a result of being awarded an additional fellowship. This is mostly information from the website and past forums on the gradcafe. 
 

[Kantattheairport]

10 hours ago, The_Last_Thylacine said:

I've generally heard that if you're going to live in Austin on that kind of stipend, you're going to need a roommate. Now, the stipend does vary considerably at Austin, because the funding packages they offer differ significantly. For undergraduates applying, there is a certain standard package of around $1,500/month, and those holding an MA receive about +$200 more/month, and then after you finish classes and begin teaching, you receive another raise so you make just under $1,900/month. Tuition costs under $400/semester after scholarships and tuition reductions. My professor who recently graduated from UT had a package of around $17,000/two semester, plus a fairly comprehensive health insurance plan. I have seen one undergraduate on here receive a fairly low offer of around $12,000 per two/semesters. I take it that the department used some of the university funding to recruit a better student, but I can't be sure. His offer was anomalously low. I have also seen someone report a stipend of $34,000 as a result of being awarded an additional fellowship. This is mostly information from the website and past forums on the gradcafe. 
 

This is useful to know - thank you!

[TorreAttack]

On 12/17/2018 at 2:23 AM, Kantattheairport said:

Perhaps it would be useful to have a thread for questions regarding finances at various institutions?

In any case, my question: does anyone know if UT Austin's financial aid (in the form of assistantships and scholarships) is enough to get by on? I ask because mid-application it began to sound to me as though it might not be, and after last year I'm not trying to apply to places that don't offer full financial support.

I'm actually at UT Austin right now on their undergrad stipend offer and I'm doing well in a two bedroom apartment with one roommate. I was extremely worried about the low funding offer but it turns out it's not too bad at all, Austin is not a terribly expensive place to live. 

[Kantattheairport]

12 hours ago, TorreAttack said:

I'm actually at UT Austin right now on their undergrad stipend offer and I'm doing well in a two bedroom apartment with one roommate. I was extremely worried about the low funding offer but it turns out it's not too bad at all, Austin is not a terribly expensive place to live. 

Excellent, that's great to know - thank you!