Unfunded program in biostatistics

[jenblossom]

Applied to University of Florida masters program and they wrote back that I was accepted but no funding or tuition waiver. I thought they were fully funding most programs...not getting a reply that most students can work full or part time to fund their tuition..

[cyberwulf]

Masters programs are generally unfunded. Sometimes this just means that though they can't guarantee anything, there's a decent chance you'll be able find an RA/TA when you show up. You should probably contact UF to find out what the typical 'unfunded' experience is like.

[quinn545]

I applied to Georgetown's biostats program, and when I asked the program coordiantor about funding, she told me that they don't fully fund students. But instead, they hire students to work as research assistants for the department where they can earn up to $5,000/semester. So they fund you through the research work you do. I think cyberwulf is right in saying most MS programs are generally not funded, but you could look for programs that offer part-time work to help pay the tuition. I don't think georgetown's deadline has passed yet, so if you're interested, you could try applying there and getting one of those research postions.

[cyberwulf]

I'm sure UF and Georgetown work the same way with respect to research and teaching assistantships: there are a limited number, with priority going to PhD students, so Masters students may or may not be able to land one every semester.

[jenblossom]

I applied as other students in my program and we all got accepted into biostatistics with funding. Our advisor had on the list the schools that were offering funding so we only applied to these schools. The funding may be low at some schools but with the tuition waver it is enough to get by.