Advice on Partially Funded Ph.D program

[hopefulphd90]

Hi all,

So I’m not sure if maybe this has been asked before and I haven’t seen much in my search but does anyone have any advice on navigating a partially funded Ph.D program? I got accepted into a school that will cover 50% of my tuition costs and it’s an excellent fit in regard to faculty and research interests but I’m a little nervous about cost of living since the school is located in NY. I have a few friends tell me that more financial opportunities arise after my first year but how do people make ends meet when your program isn’t fully funded?

[PsyDuck90]

Most of the time it is loans and/or support from family/spouse. The debt-load is a very real thing to consider, especially in a high cost of living area such as NYC. 

[hopefulphd90]

52 minutes ago, PsyDuck90 said:

Most of the time it is loans and/or support from family/spouse. The debt-load is a very real thing to consider, especially in a high cost of living area such as NYC. 

Thank you. My significant other said he’s willing to help since my family can’t right now financially but I feel so bad ?. He knows this is my dream but still.