How do I get funding?

[cschwartz]

So I am a bit clueless on how to find funding if I am accepted into a MA program. So far the programs that I want to apply to do not offer funding, but are a good choice for me educationally. So how do I pay for the master degree exactly? I received my BA from a school that had a substantial lottery program and funding was automatic for students....which has left me confused on how to pay for this on my own.

[aforman1]

It depends on the program, and what sort of TA/RA funding they have and how many graduate students qualify for those opportunities. Make sure you fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1; that will give you a good idea of how much aid you will qualify for. It's up to you to decide whether or not you want to take on additional debt to get your MA. I did not receive funding for a semester during my MA program, but was able to find funding for the remainder of my degree, so I think that it was more than worth it to take out some loans.

When you receive an acceptance letter from an institution, typically there will be some form of notification if you can expect to receive funding/support. However, some programs send this information out later, even after the April decision deadline. Call the program and/or your assigned advisor if you have specific questions about funding and funding chances after you've received a letter; they might be able to give you more information. Also, at some schools (my program is an example of this), you may be able to TA outside of your department (sociology, women and gender studies, geography, etc.) based on what your educational/professional background is. There is less funding for MA students than PhD students, but most MA students I know were at least able to find partial funding. Good luck!

[mutualist007]

I am going into my second semester and just received a letter in the mail saying I would not be receiving funding next semester (again). Honestly, I do not know what to do. I know some people are gung ho about debt, but the reality is I will be stuck with it and I don't know if I can sink down another 5 grand next semester.

So to address the original post, I wouldn't accept and go to those schools unless they offered a funding package up front.

Or the next question will be; How do you get funding after attending one semester? Think about it. The question is really a big one. Besides grades and GRE, what does one do to earn notice and get funding after being admitted?

[NinjaMermaid]

You should talk to your advisors. Our program is very complicated in regards to funding. If you are a MA student then you are not eligible for funding, period. A PhD can be funded but not all of us get funding. Mostly it depends on how everything factors into the funding equation. Grades and Quals effect the most with GRE being the least important. You can have professors speak on your behalf but it will only offset the equation if you are on the cusp of getting funding.

All this being said it does not hurt to get to know more profs in your department, especially your Chair. As for debt - that is something only you can decide if you are comfortable with. I have a very sizable debt amount because I happened to get divorced while getting my undergrad. Although much of my school was paid for (and it was a very pricey school), my living expenses were not. School debt for my circle of friends is just a fact of life - I think of it as another mortgage.

[mutualist007]

What are quals?

How important is the social and exposure factor to getting funding? I am starting to feel that there are a lot of social and cultural capital compatibility issues that are important that I am missing or do not understand.

[NinjaMermaid]

What are quals?

How important is the social and exposure factor to getting funding? I am starting to feel that there are a lot of social and cultural capital compatibility issues that are important that I am missing or do not understand.

Quals stand for qualifying exams - if you are accepted into the PhD and did not get funding, or are a Master's student who wants to enter in to the PhD, you can get a high pass on your qualifying exams and thereby enhance your chances to get funding the following year. Our quals are taken our second semester. This does not mean that every university has the same setup tho. You have got to ask questions to the schools you are applying.

I'm not sure what you mean by social and exposure factor? Do you mean exposure to social and cultural anthropology? If so then again - it depends on your program. You REALLY need to contact your future advisor, future faculty, and possibly the chair. Don't be needy, just ask how you can make yourself more competitive. But you have to be careful how you do this - some profs can become annoyed. Grad school is balance, skill, and a little bit of luck.

[mutualist007]

Qualifications... makes sense. We call them comprehensive exams.

I was more literal than you think. By social I mean literally, social aspect as in building rapport and the whole chewing the fat and getting to know someone. I guess I'm so anxious about the future and the present that I find it hard not to be in "business" mode and tunnel visioned when I am on campus.

It might be time to ask straight up what I can do to be more "competitive". I don't want to have the "competitive mindset" but its a must when you are behind (assuming so because some have funding and I don't) and you are making a life commitment to a field of study. And we all know from conversations about school rankings and funding that the field is very competitive. Double that for finding a job when you graduate.

I don't think it's needy at all when you take success seriously. I'm trying to understand logically where I am ranked and if I am not in the top tier, then I should probably consider another career option.

[anthropologygeek]

One ghost ing about funding, you don't know all the circumstances at the school tille you go. I'm a perfect example of not taking funding to go where I want and to get even more money once I got there. So I'm one for not making funding a priority vs the one who does. You must decide what matters most to you and don't look back.

[NinjaMermaid]

Qualifications... makes sense. We call them comprehensive exams.

I was more literal than you think. By social I mean literally, social aspect as in building rapport and the whole chewing the fat and getting to know someone. I guess I'm so anxious about the future and the present that I find it hard not to be in "business" mode and tunnel visioned when I am on campus.

It might be time to ask straight up what I can do to be more "competitive". I don't want to have the "competitive mindset" but its a must when you are behind (assuming so because some have funding and I don't) and you are making a life commitment to a field of study. And we all know from conversations about school rankings and funding that the field is very competitive. Double that for finding a job when you graduate.

I don't think it's needy at all when you take success seriously. I'm trying to understand logically where I am ranked and if I am not in the top tier, then I should probably consider another career option.

Taking success seriously is never needy - I never said that. My warning concerns the possibility of not watching your words carefully. I'm sure you won't have that problem but I would have given poor advice if I left out that cautionary section. My advisor has occasionally confided in me, not regarding my peers but prospective students, and trust me that the line between needy and driven is fine.

As far as socializing and networking goes, well that is an art. You will need to practice it. Try to pull yourself out of your tunnel vision so that you can see everyone as a possible boon to your career. It is important that you understand that really, truly, your career will depend on who you know. I have had friends who were never considered "competitive" for grad school get some very lucrative jobs/internships/etc thanks to their silver tongues. Don't mistake - they are hard workers - their brains just deal with academia differently.

[mutualist007]

I hate to say it but it looks like I hijacked this thread. I just hope the op got something useful from it all.

Learn something from the good comments here. My message to them: Be about as perfect as possible AND have a silver tongue.

I admit, I very am pessimistic and cynical right now. More than ever I feel that Bourdieu was right. I curse myself for not being fully invested in "playing the game" and positioning myself better.

"Capital" dependence is inescapable.

But here are quotes from the responses above that haunt me:

"don't look back"

&

" - their brains just deal with academia differently."