I have $36,000 in funding lined up; should I mention this when applying?

[hudibras]

I am going to apply for science/engineering PhD programs next year (starting Autumn 2013). As a U.S. armed forces veteran, I will be able to use my GI Bill benefits, which pay for all tuition, fees, and books at a public university (call it $18,000 or so per year). I'll also receive a housing allowance worth around $18,000/year (exact amount depends on the cost-of-living in the school's area).

Should I mention this when I apply to schools? On the one hand, maybe schools would like to know this information and would be more likely to admit me knowing that I'm basically free. On the other hand, it seems a little crass to mention it and maybe schools will be turned off by the appearance that I'm trying to buy my admission. Also, maybe the professors won't be as interested in having me as a grad student if I'm not dependent on them for funding.

Any thoughts?

[Kitkat]

I would say that it is perfectly acceptable that when you are applying to grad school to mention something like this. I noticed that some schools even asked for this type of information. I don't think that it is crass at all. What it comes down to is this. If they see you and like you, and also like another person, and are on a limited budget to how many people to take, they can still take both of you, since you will cost them practically nothing.

[ktel]

There will likely be a point in the process where you might need to bring it up (I know I needed to mention my external funding to my school) but I don't think you need to mention it right away. I would only mention it if you get significantly far along the admissions process.

I also think there might be an argument for not mentioning it at all. You haven't received funding in the form of a scholarship or fellowship. What you're receiving is almost a form of employment. If somebody had a $100,000 trust fund they used to fund their education, they are under no obligation to inform their school of that

[hudibras]

I also think there might be an argument for not mentioning it at all. You haven't received funding in the form of a scholarship or fellowship. What you're receiving is almost a form of employment. If somebody had a $100,000 trust fund they used to fund their education, they are under no obligation to inform their school of that

I was thinking about that, too. I know I'm getting waaaay ahead of myself here, but it sure would be nice to get funded and have Uncle Sugar's money on top of that. But I'm probably "on the bubble" for getting accepted (37 years old, my master's degree is from ten years ago, nothing published) so I was wondering if the GI Bill factor would help me over the top.

Don't want to bore you with the details, but the non-housing money from the GI Bill goes directly to the school so they would eventually know about it. I don't know how much the admissions committees keep up on the latest in Veterans Affairs news, but they could probably also deduce that I'm eligible from my application.

[Tsujiru]

It might also be good to keep in mind that some programs may not be as familiar with these benefits. One of my cohort was ex-military and entitled to the GI benefits (and also really needed them to help support his family with 4 kids all under 10). However, because our program was small and they'd never dealt with this before and were not registered with the program. My classmate spent almost half a year (while also keeping up with classwork) petitioning the governor to get our program listed so he could receive his benefits. Personally, I thought it was ridiculous that the responsibility to do this fell to him rather than some administrator, but it is also something to keep in mind as you deciding on your program.

[Andsowego]

I am going to apply for science/engineering PhD programs next year (starting Autumn 2013). As a U.S. armed forces veteran, I will be able to use my GI Bill benefits, which pay for all tuition, fees, and books at a public university (call it $18,000 or so per year). I'll also receive a housing allowance worth around $18,000/year (exact amount depends on the cost-of-living in the school's area).

Should I mention this when I apply to schools? On the one hand, maybe schools would like to know this information and would be more likely to admit me knowing that I'm basically free. On the other hand, it seems a little crass to mention it and maybe schools will be turned off by the appearance that I'm trying to buy my admission. Also, maybe the professors won't be as interested in having me as a grad student if I'm not dependent on them for funding.

Any thoughts?

I'd recommend that you call the Financial Aid office at the university you want to attend, and ask what their policy is (long before you apply). You might be obligated to disclose this info, or it might be the complete opposite. They've likely encountered this exact question before.