only 4 years of funding--

[Amalia222]

I just found out that my acceptance offer is only for 4 years of tuition funding. After that, I will have to pay the in-state tuition. Is this a big deal? Are there other ways to get funding for that last year? Is it actually possible to take summer classes and graduate early (one option I've thought about?)

I've always been under the impression that it is tough for someone like me to get scholarships (my family is middle class, I'm white). And creative writing is not exactly a big moneymaker. Any ideas?

[kisu1492]

I think 4 years is pretty good actually. I assume you are doing PhD and there are a lot of funding opportunities out there. It all depends on your field. But as you go on you will learn more and more about them. My only advice would be to start learning about them early on and practice writing proposals, learn as much about the processes as you can and maybe even try applying before your school funding runs out, because a lot of funders will send you feedback if they reject you.

I just found out that my acceptance offer is only for 4 years of tuition funding. After that, I will have to pay the in-state tuition. Is this a big deal? Are there other ways to get funding for that last year? Is it actually possible to take summer classes and graduate early (one option I've thought about?)

I've always been under the impression that it is tough for someone like me to get scholarships (my family is middle class, I'm white). And creative writing is not exactly a big moneymaker. Any ideas?

[Golden Monkey]

I think I'd only start worrying in about 3 1/2 years.

[rising_star]

All of the PhD programs in my field do 4 years of funding.

[nescafe]

Maybe this is field-specific, but I will have to echo the other responses here. In my program (History), 4 years of funding is pretty standard (going from BA to PhD). The assumption is that for your "research" year you will seek and obtain outside funding via fellowships.

At any rate, I would not be worried about this.

[eklavya]

Or, what if you can get out in 4 years? That would be something I would shoot for!

Besides, there might be fellowships, scholarships you can apply for. I also recommend calling your PoI or the dept.. they'd definitely know more.

[lemonpepper]

In addition to scholarships/fellowships that you will have plenty of time to search out, you can probably teach or t.a. that last year, which would bring in some cash. Or you could always get a student loan for a year if you really had to. Four years funding is fab! Don't sweat it.

[Dr._Robotnik's_Shadow]

4 years appears to be the norm. If it's a PhD are you sure u r taking classes for all 4 years? At many schools, you take classes for 2 years and then do your dissertation for two years. During the time you do your dissertation, if you did have to pay it's be something really little because you aren't taking classes. Like if I need a year or two more beyond my 4 years (having finished my course work already), starting in the 5th year I'll pay a little fee to keep me matriculated but it's not like I'm paying for 15 units or anything. You're program may be like that so check it out.

[Eigen]

I think the assumption (as mentioned above) is that you'll be on "dissertation research" by that point, which usually carries a very minimal tuition component.

[runonsentence]

Four years is definitely standard. (The notion in rhet/comp, at least, is that you can definitely do your degree in four years, though five years will give you a stronger diss.)

Definitely talk to the program, ask what other students do if they want to do a fifth year—many universities (especially big research unis) have competitive university fellowships available, which might be more attainable than something with a national pool. Some programs can also cut you some kind of deal with adjunct pay for teaching or some other creative work-around, but it'll depend on the place.

I think the assumption (as mentioned above) is that you'll be on "dissertation research" by that point, which usually carries a very minimal tuition component.

This is also a possibility. I have a friend at ASU who told me that it's possible to finnegale some stuff with your credits if you take a fifth year so that tuition payments are extremely minimal.

Edited March 29, 2011 by runonsentence

[Eigen]

In the sciences, 6-7 years isn't uncommon... But you're done with coursework by about 2 years, and your tuition cost drops a lot.