Is it worth it to apply for this GA ship?

[caramelmami210]

So my grad school is offering GA ships, you can get 18 credits paid for for the entire year (almost $15,000), and in exchange you have to work 20 hours a week. The crappy part is that the stipend is $1,000 a year! How can I live on $500 a semester? Granted the tuition is decreased to almost nothing, but still. Is it worth it to even apply for this assistantship? Also I live 2 hours away from this school so if I do apply and get the GA ship, how can I pay rent? I may just have to find a full-time m-f down there and move and just nix the whole GA ship idea.

Edited May 11, 2010 by caramelmami210

[pea-jay]

could you get student loans to cover the uncovered portion of the living expenses? It's not like you will be piling up a great deal of debt with that GA

[Jae B.]

If you cannot find quality alternative work or fellowships, then the $15,000 value would be worth it to me, especially if you can use the experience to your benefit on your resume and for references. I second pea-jay on the living expenses. Is there summer work you can do that could help, too?