So...how does this funding situation work...?

[Roccoriel]

I just *like an hour ago* found out i was admitted with funding to one of the schools I applied to. The funding is as a TA ship, but is listed as one year. it says after this, you must be a student in good standing for funding...my question is this: does this mean that after the first year, I will likely get funding if I have good grades, good research plans/work, etc, or does it mean I likely will have to fight for funding next year? I am definitely highly considering this admit, but I'm a little nervous that the TA-ship is a year. It looks to me on the school's website like all grad students are funded, so I guess there's a good chance for it to continue...?

Graduate admissions letter translation please?

[newms]

Congratulations! It does sound like you would receive funding for next year as long as you're making satisfactory progress. You could email the department grad coordinator to confirm though.

[eklavya]

As long as you maintain good progress (GPA >3, research, TA/RA duties, etc), you will get the funding, and won't have to fight for it. Most students who get admitted are given funding for 4 or 5 years or till they graduate on a condition that they maintain satisfactory performance. Don't worry, you will not have money problems.

[kisu1492]

Hello. First congrats. Second, I think this varies depending on the school and the degree (masters/phd). At my school the people that get them have the best chances the following year (masters) and have them guaranteed for phd. Maybe you should ask them directly? Or go on their department website and ask one of the students in the program, but first see if you can google and see which students are TAs.

I just *like an hour ago* found out i was admitted with funding to one of the schools I applied to. The funding is as a TA ship, but is listed as one year. it says after this, you must be a student in good standing for funding...my question is this: does this mean that after the first year, I will likely get funding if I have good grades, good research plans/work, etc, or does it mean I likely will have to fight for funding next year? I am definitely highly considering this admit, but I'm a little nervous that the TA-ship is a year. It looks to me on the school's website like all grad students are funded, so I guess there's a good chance for it to continue...?

Graduate admissions letter translation please?

[kisu1492]

Don't worry, you will not have money problems.

That's a pretty sweeping statement, don't you think?

[VAPHD]

I agree with what most people have already posted. However, I would also add that in addition to funding based on satisfactory progress (yes confirm with the department), you should begin planning now on potential outside fellowships and scholarships you can receive. Applications for these opportunities have deadlines in early fall so now that the admission apps are done...start planning your strategy. Congratulations and much success to you!

[Roccoriel]

Thank you all for your congratulations and advice!

It is a PhD program, and from the website it looks like all of their PhD students are supported through the school, and I am checking with someone from the university that I know (albeit from a different department, but from the website, it may just be that the university itself supports PhD students for the most part). But I will confirm with the department as well.

I will definitely look into addition means of support! Do these work instead of or in addition to any departmental support? Or does it depend on the source? Thanks!

Edit to add additional question: How do I word my question about funding? I don't want to step on toes or anything. Is it okay simply to ask "After the first year, if I remain in good standing, what is the chance of support being continued?" after thanking them for their offer of admission/support or is this not proper? Is there a better way to word this?

Edited March 2, 2011 by Roccoriel

[Roccoriel]

So, I actually read the letter again, and it's pretty clear that funding is continued provided I am doing well. So never mind on that front, I'm good.

As far as outside funding, I assume it would be for subsequent years, since if the deadlines are in the fall or next winter, they couldn't help me for this coming fall?

And this isn't bank related, but in the acceptance letter, it said to commit to the acceptance, return a "signed copy of this memo" but the only thing was the acceptance letter itself. Do I just sign the letter and return it if I want to go?

I am seriously the most confused person ever LOL I am looking forward to this process being complete so I can focus on finishing my Master's thesis and prepping for next fall!

[Golden Monkey]

I'm really puzzled over this whole thing too. I have been told I have an offer of a TA/RA, but I don't know how much it pays, or how long it lasts. I'm not sure if that means I'll have to go get a part-time job on the side or something.

[Roccoriel]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I feel like I am attacking the board with questions these days.

Is there anyone you can ask, or do you just have to wait until they send you an official letter?

[newms]

I guess you have to wait for the letter to see what exactly the offer is, but you can possibly ask the department grad coordinator, or even a current grad student at the department or your POI, if you've been in contact with them. I think a TA/RA offer usually comes with some tuition waiver (full or part), but I guess it varies between departments.

[eklavya]

I'm really puzzled over this whole thing too. I have been told I have an offer of a TA/RA, but I don't know how much it pays, or how long it lasts. I'm not sure if that means I'll have to go get a part-time job on the side or something.

Again, it depends. A lot of the decision has to do with the department's funding policy. When I interviewed at my school, I was told that the funding is renewable yearly (based on satisfactory performance) but I have to TA for one semester only during my entire stay - be it 3 or 4 or 5 years. Rest of the time, I have to perform RA duties, which is working in my research, writing thesis, and so on. I bet it is relatively similar in yours and others cases. But the department and your POI would have a definite answer.

[Golden Monkey]

I got a response today, which was that they don't know just yet. Heh, well the promise of "some" funding of an unknown amount for an unspecified amount of time is better than no funding, at least.

[rising_star]

Roccoriel, I would ask for some specificity about what "in good standing" means, since that varies from one department to the next, and from one advisor to the next.

[Golden Monkey]

Well hey, I got my official letter today, and now I'm even more confused. I finally understand the terms of the funding--it's just that I don't understand what people normally do in these situations. I have a tuition waiver, plus 20 hours a week of TA/RAship worth $13.5k a year, and there is health insurance, but the TA/RAship is only specified for the first year. Even in areas where the cost of living is low, which is true in this case, do people live on this kind of income, or am I missing something obvious? Do people typically get part-time jobs to supplement their incomes? Do they dip into savings or take out loans or something?

While I'm thrilled I got the offer of funding, I'm wondering if maybe this isn't going to make any financial sense for me.

[murkyama]

Well hey, I got my official letter today, and now I'm even more confused. I finally understand the terms of the funding--it's just that I don't understand what people normally do in these situations. I have a tuition waiver, plus 20 hours a week of TA/RAship worth $13.5k a year, and there is health insurance, but the TA/RAship is only specified for the first year. Even in areas where the cost of living is low, which is true in this case, do people live on this kind of income, or am I missing something obvious? Do people typically get part-time jobs to supplement their incomes? Do they dip into savings or take out loans or something?

While I'm thrilled I got the offer of funding, I'm wondering if maybe this isn't going to make any financial sense for me.

I am in a similar situation, Golden Monkey, and I am wondering about this as well. I would surely like to get some advice on this topic.

[eklavya]

Well hey, I got my official letter today, and now I'm even more confused. I finally understand the terms of the funding--it's just that I don't understand what people normally do in these situations. I have a tuition waiver, plus 20 hours a week of TA/RAship worth $13.5k a year, and there is health insurance, but the TA/RAship is only specified for the first year. Even in areas where the cost of living is low, which is true in this case, do people live on this kind of income, or am I missing something obvious? Do people typically get part-time jobs to supplement their incomes? Do they dip into savings or take out loans or something?

Congrats for getting the offer! Now before making a decision, you need to ask the department and/or your POI to elaborate on the financial situation. Ask them if the TA/RAship is renewable after a year. Ask them if there are other scholarship and fellowship opportunities that you can apply to in the following years. Ask them if there are no more funding sources, if you are allowed to work outside the school. One of my friends moved to CA, and the living cost was/is so high that his wife has a pretty busy work schedule to support them. If you are single, or even if you have a SO, you don't want to put you or your SO in a position where you/they have to work your/their butt off to support you in grad school. Taking out loans might be an option as well, but you need to ask yourself if that's really what you want to do.

I hope that you will get better offers, for the whole duration and that you will be able to live comfortably with the stipend given.

[riceandbeans]

Well hey, I got my official letter today, and now I'm even more confused. I finally understand the terms of the funding--it's just that I don't understand what people normally do in these situations. I have a tuition waiver, plus 20 hours a week of TA/RAship worth $13.5k a year, and there is health insurance, but the TA/RAship is only specified for the first year. Even in areas where the cost of living is low, which is true in this case, do people live on this kind of income, or am I missing something obvious? Do people typically get part-time jobs to supplement their incomes? Do they dip into savings or take out loans or something?

While I'm thrilled I got the offer of funding, I'm wondering if maybe this isn't going to make any financial sense for me.

In many places in the midwest, $13.5k would be enough to live on (and possibly also in the south). It would be really tight, but totally doable. I would ask current students in the program if 13.5 is a reasonable income (and also what you can expect to pay for housing, food, etc). Also, check at what income you would qualify for food stamps in that area. If you are above food stamp level (and 13.5 is where I live for a single person with no kids), you very likely make enough to make ends meet.

You should definitely check with your POI or someone in the department about whether or not you can expect funding to continue past the first year or not. It's possible that it's a program where you apply for funding every year, but that you will continue to be funded as long as you are "in good standing."

[Golden Monkey]

Thanks all for the responses. I did get a reply from the POI that the TA/RAship is generally renewed every year, even though they only specified the first year, so that answers that. And the cost of living is pretty low in the area (might as well divulge that it's in Arizona, which pretty much tells you which school it is too,) so the cost of living is probably pretty close to much of the Midwest. I have a phone conversation scheduled later this week where I can ask things like whether or not I'm allowed to take on additional work somewhere else, etc.

I guess this is one of those very rare instances where being middle aged and single has its advantages. I have quite a bit of money put away from all the years of work, no dependents, and a lot of industry skills. For instance, if I could pick up part-time work doing CAD, that usually pays pretty nicely. Also, I'd look into the possibility of doing contract work for a former employer in L.A., since it's a 1-hour flight away.

But hey, with no spouse and no kids, no dog even, if I make a horrible mistake, at least I'm not affecting anyone besides me.

[space-cat]

I would ask current students in the program if 13.5 is a reasonable income (and also what you can expect to pay for housing, food, etc).

Also, pay attention to the type of housing students use to quote prices: if everyone with cheap rent is actually sharing a house with seven other grad students or commuting in from an hour away, is that better or worse (for you, personally) than taking on side gigs to afford better or closer housing?

[kisu1492]

on that note it might also be worthwhile to ask about odd-jobs that people pick up to supplement their income. I got work as a grader one semester, and another i did proofing for Ford Foundation students from other countries. In this case it could be that a couple of hundred dollars a month can make a big difference.

Also maybe ask about teaching in the summer at your university or if there are any community colleges around teaching there. For me this has been a way to make a significant amount of money over the course of 6 weeks.

Also, pay attention to the type of housing students use to quote prices: if everyone with cheap rent is actually sharing a house with seven other grad students or commuting in from an hour away, is that better or worse (for you, personally) than taking on side gigs to afford better or closer housing?

[Golden Monkey]

Also, pay attention to the type of housing students use to quote prices: if everyone with cheap rent is actually sharing a house with seven other grad students or commuting in from an hour away, is that better or worse (for you, personally) than taking on side gigs to afford better or closer housing?

Hm, at my age, the prospect of living with seven other grad students is... "Hey, it's gramps' turn to do the dishes!"

But looking at the cost of living in the area (I've been on hotpads.com a lot,) I guess one idea (might be a bad one,) might be to buy a really, really, really cheap place, which could possibly lower my cost of living. I'd still have to pay utilities and tax, but no rent. One of the benefits of being old is that I have some money put away.

I have a month to figure this out, so I guess I'll figure something out by then.

[space-cat]

Hm, at my age, the prospect of living with seven other grad students is... "Hey, it's gramps' turn to do the dishes!"

At least it's not undergrad - "hey gramps, can you buy us beer?"

In all seriousness, I've heard of a fair number of grad students buying a house instead of renting, especially in cities with a reasonable housing market. More money up front, but then you can sell and potentially break even when you leave!

[rising_star]

Thanks all for the responses. I did get a reply from the POI that the TA/RAship is generally renewed every year, even though they only specified the first year, so that answers that. And the cost of living is pretty low in the area (might as well divulge that it's in Arizona, which pretty much tells you which school it is too,) so the cost of living is probably pretty close to much of the Midwest. I have a phone conversation scheduled later this week where I can ask things like whether or not I'm allowed to take on additional work somewhere else, etc.

It'll be tight but it's doable to live on $13.5K in Arizona, especially if you decide to live with a roommate or live further from campus and take the bus to commute. That said, the budget situation at the state universities in Arizona is as bad or worse than that in California but gets a lot less press. The state is planning to cut universities even further, and had only not done so in the past to avoid losing stimulus funds.

From the March 5 newspaper: "University representatives are lobbying hard to stop what they believe might be another $80 million in cuts beyond the $170 million that Brewer already has proposed." That cut will be spread across the state's three universities and is predicted to mean cuts of up to 1/3 in the number of TAs at certain institutions. It is also being accompanied by increases in fees, which are not covered by tuition remission, and plans to cut the health insurance benefits (currently, health insurance is provided at no-cost to TAs/RAs but either there will be a charge or the benefits will be further reduced).

[Golden Monkey]

It'll be tight but it's doable to live on $13.5K in Arizona, especially if you decide to live with a roommate or live further from campus and take the bus to commute. That said, the budget situation at the state universities in Arizona is as bad or worse than that in California but gets a lot less press. The state is planning to cut universities even further, and had only not done so in the past to avoid losing stimulus funds.

From the March 5 newspaper: "University representatives are lobbying hard to stop what they believe might be another $80 million in cuts beyond the $170 million that Brewer already has proposed." That cut will be spread across the state's three universities and is predicted to mean cuts of up to 1/3 in the number of TAs at certain institutions. It is also being accompanied by increases in fees, which are not covered by tuition remission, and plans to cut the health insurance benefits (currently, health insurance is provided at no-cost to TAs/RAs but either there will be a charge or the benefits will be further reduced).

Oh geez, that doesn't sound good at all.