funding problem

[fangsout]

UNC admitted me without guaranteed funding. On my own, I found an RA and thought my problem was solved. Apparently, I may not get my tuition waived, even though I have an RA position secured. In the past, all students without "guaranteed funding" have still had their tuition waived if they possessed an assistantship. This semester, NO student received a tuition waiver unless they were in the "guaranteed funding" category. If I don't get my tuition waived, I will have to pay $11,000 per semester. As soon as I pass quals, my status will change to "guaranteed funding". I have full funding at UVA and although I prefer UNC, I am considering going to UVA because it seems silly to pay for a PhD in CS, when it's not even guaranteed that I'll get a job making any more money than I do now with a masters. Are any other schools dealing with this? I have never heard of a situation where a student can have an assistantship but still have to pay tuition?!?

[beanbagchairs]

UNC admitted me without guaranteed funding. On my own, I found an RA and thought my problem was solved. Apparently, I may not get my tuition waived, even though I have an RA position secured. In the past, all students without "guaranteed funding" have still had their tuition waived if they possessed an assistantship. This semester, NO student received a tuition waiver unless they were in the "guaranteed funding" category. If I don't get my tuition waived, I will have to pay $11,000 per semester. As soon as I pass quals, my status will change to "guaranteed funding". I have full funding at UVA and although I prefer UNC, I am considering going to UVA because it seems silly to pay for a PhD in CS, when it's not even guaranteed that I'll get a job making any more money than I do now with a masters. Are any other schools dealing with this? I have never heard of a situation where a student can have an assistantship but still have to pay tuition?!?

That's odd! I'd say "follow the money". You still can do great work in UVA.