Does Not Needing Funding Hurt or Help?

[Hshsjdjdj]

Hi all,

I am applying to Canadian MA programs this cycle, and I have my applications pretty much ready to go, but I'm struggling to decide how to answer the "do you wish to be considered for entrance scholarships/fellowships" question on some applications. I'm very grateful to have my studies paid for, and I really want available funding to go to students who need it more then I do. However, I was wondering how my answer to this question would affect my application. Will the department think "oh good, a free student/extra income" or will they look at it negatively, as if I'm ungrateful for their offering funding or something? How will this affect my chances at future Ph.D. applications, if I have less grade-based scholarships on my transcript then other students? I've been getting mixed responses to this, and thought this forum would be a good place for some advice! Thanks in advance!

[GopherGrad]

In my opinion, you're misreading the purpose of the financial aid question. My (perhaps incorrect) understanding is that a student who says "no" is assumed to have outside scholarships. I really doubt anyone would see you as ungrateful and the sense that you are supported by outside money makes you appear both less burdensome and more qualified.

That being said, if you do not have outside support, you want to be considered for the money. Almost no one is going to refuse, and certainly not on the grounds that they are happy to take out loans or spend down savings. Your altruistic desire to letting scholarships go to those who need it more is sweet, but you need to keep in mind the purpose of merit-based aid. This money isn't used to help make sure everyone gets a good education. It's an enticement offered to students who may succeed in a way the school can use to attract more and higher quality applicants in the future. It attracts you to the program and allows you to focus on your studies. It isn't charity; it's more like getting a job offer in a field you'd be willing to volunteer in.

In that sense, the best way to be gracious and conscientious about a merit award is to treat your education seriously and succeed in your job search/PhD applications afterward. You earn your money (seriously) by doing the job the school hired you to do: be a great student and give them something to brag about when you finish.

Edited November 18, 2012 by GopherGrad

[Hshsjdjdj]

I do have outside support, so I think I will say no. Thanks for the response!

[TakeruK]

I think everyone is expected to say yes unless they already have a fellowship (e.g. SSHRC or OGS) confirmed. In other words, you should only say no if you are for sure getting money that will preclude you from receiving any further financial support (awards like SSHRC and OGS have rules on how many other awards you can hold at the same time) or like a sponsorship from your employer etc. Otherwise, you want to be considered for (and awarded) the entrance scholarships because they represent additional aid that you have earned. In addition, they are important for your professional profile because they will strengthen your CV. If you don't need the money at all then you are free to decline the award once they are offered to you so that you can still include it in your "brag list" when you apply to grants, jobs, etc.

[ohgoodness]

http://drezner.forei...rogram_part_one

"5. Get rich. Ready for some real-keeping? If you can fund your own ticket for graduate school, the admissions standards are not nearly so high. Whether you inherit family wealth, win an NSF fellowship, or finally make sure that Nigerian e-mailer comes through, having no need for fellowship support makes you a freebie to most programs. At that point, the equation changes from "is this candidate among the best?" to "is this candidate above the bar?" The latter is much easier to clear than the former. "

Edited November 28, 2012 by cherub