funding question

[rlayla]

Hey All, I have a question regarding funding and this terrible economy:

So I was talking to my pops the other day about my offer from Berkeley, and he asked how the California financial squalor is going to affect my funding situation. I thought it wouldn't, given that they guaranteed me 5 years of funding. Then he asked what 'guaranteed' meant, and I realized I didn't really know.

So here's my question: Is there any risk in schools taking away your funding for any other reason besides you leaving the school altogether? I mean obviously if you fail your exams and everything you're not going to advance. But would Berkeley ever take away my funding if California goes bankrupt?

Thanks!

[Lex]

I'm wondering the same thing.

[Wesson]

Most schools make funding contingent on some sort of definition of "normal progress." That can include maintaining a GPA above some minimum, not having lingering incompletes, etc. Many UC-B students stay there for 8-12 years, so I'd guess that either the normal progress standard there isn't the most strict or that RA opportunities abound.

[plisar]

Just watch out for one thing -- "as long as money is available." Otherwise, it is a binding contract and there is very little they can do about it beyond failing you out of the program.

Typically schools would rather take no one new than defund current students.

[Lex]

Here's another question: does anyone know of a situation in which current students with funding commitments have lost their funding because of state budgeting decisions?