How to check policies on backing out after accepting an offer.

[gengenatti]

Hi there.

I am an international student and I have been offered admission to a PhD program with a grant covering all the tuition but with a teaching assistant ship that is marginal.

I am hesitating whether I will be able to find work to cover for my living expenses or not (Is only $300 per month against 12 hours of work a week) and I am not a kid anymore so mommy and daddy are not an option and I am not eligible for student loans.

This is the only and preferred school and I am tempted to accept the offer but there is a chance I may have to withdraw later if I don't manage to save and/or borrow enough money to survive.

How can I know for sure or how do I look or ask for their policies in that matter so I don't raise red flags too early.

I read here that there is a chance that the school may charge you for the amount of money they gave you in grants and that would be horrible.

Any input or help will be appreciated!

[LJK]

I think in your case, it is fine to ask straightforwardly. You aren't trying to figure out how to accept then decline for a better offer - you are wondering what your financial commitment is should you not finish the program, which is a much more legitimate question. I wouldn't lead with 'so what happens when I withdraw?' Instead, as the department who to talk to about your financial situation as you have concerns - its likely that they will refer you to a financial aid officer that specializes in international students. If this is the case, then you can ask questions freely without thinking about what your POIs might read into your questions.

Edited March 30, 2011 by LJK

[latte thunder]

Hi there.

I am an international student and I have been offered admission to a PhD program with a grant covering all the tuition but with a teaching assistant ship that is marginal.

I am hesitating whether I will be able to find work to cover for my living expenses or not (Is only $300 per month against 12 hours of work a week) and I am not a kid anymore so mommy and daddy are not an option and I am not eligible for student loans.

This is the only and preferred school and I am tempted to accept the offer but there is a chance I may have to withdraw later if I don't manage to save and/or borrow enough money to survive.

How can I know for sure or how do I look or ask for their policies in that matter so I don't raise red flags too early.

I read here that there is a chance that the school may charge you for the amount of money they gave you in grants and that would be horrible.

Any input or help will be appreciated!

From what I've seen, generally people are only charged if they dont finish a semeter/quarter. If you were to drop out at the end of a term and no money has been given directly to you yet for the next term, then you shouldn't have anything to pay back. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Also, I would call financial aid and see what they can do. Maybe check and see if they'll allow you to TA and be a RA in a dorm at the same time?

[Eigen]

Also note that it may not be possible to work another job.... Many TAships specify that you can't work elsewhere while you receive departmental funding. It might also be something you want to ask- are graduate students allowed to work outside jobs?

[gengenatti]

That is the point. As a rule as an international student you can't work at all except on campus jobs and that cannot exceed 20hrs a week, I'm down 12 hrs already so if I want to make it legally I have to find a hell of an on-campus job to compliment a minimum income in 8hrs.

I'll try to make an appointment with financial aid to clarify this issues.

Thanks you all for your input.

[Eigen]

My point actually wasn't just for international students, but any student (domestic or international). The restriction on "external jobs" at least at my school, is read as "anything outside of the department", so it would not be possible for someone here (on a TAship, say) to get a job working anywhere else in the school. If you're funded, you don't work anywhere else.

That was what I was suggesting you check on.

[gengenatti]

Good point! Thanks!