Negotiating Funding

[PolicyGradInterests]

What is the process for negotiating funding for IR programs, including when you already received funding? Would it be best to email admissions/is there typically a form to show other offers? If it's an email, does anyone have a template? Also, are there insights into which schools are more likely to increase your funding based on other schools' offers? Thanks!

[PolicyApplier]

For MPP's, both Chicago and Michigan have pages for you to submit requests to (you post your other offers, etc.).

[PolicyGradInterests]

15 minutes ago, PolicyApplier said:

For MPP's, both Chicago and Michigan have pages for you to submit requests to (you post your other offers, etc.).

Interesting and good to know, thank you! Do people know specifically for SIPA, SAIS, and Fletcher?

[PolicyApplier]

I didn't apply to those schools, so I unfortunately cannot.

[GradSchoolGrad]

On 3/22/2022 at 12:33 PM, PolicyGradInterests said:

Interesting and good to know, thank you! Do people know specifically for SIPA, SAIS, and Fletcher?

Every school has a different process and different pool of cash AND mostly importantly, they often change year to year. Its on you to at a minimum ask admissions how to execute next steps (if it isn't on the website or material... assuming they have a means for negotiation). That being said, don't be surprised if they don't budge for you. 

[Boolakanaka]

On 3/23/2022 at 8:12 AM, GradSchoolGrad said:

Every school has a different process and different pool of cash AND mostly importantly, they often change year to year. Its on you to at a minimum ask admissions how to execute next steps (if it isn't on the website or material... assuming they have a means for negotiation). That being said, don't be surprised if they don't budge for you. 

When attempting to negotiate for more funding, one word comes to mind--exceptional.

 

So, either you are an exceptional candidate (and be honest with yourself) and/or you are in an exceptional situation, e.g. you are coming over from the Ukraine.

Now, if you have both (exceptional candidate with an exceptional situation) things have a great potential to move your way--otherwise, and not to be terse or blunt, but you are just another grad student looking to get more money.

The other point I would advance, is look at the school and how well they are endowed....Yale, lots of cash...Tufts, not so much, e.g. do your own homework.