Fundings for International Students applying for Masters

[Counterpointer]

Hello all,

How common is it for an international student to be fully funded during his masters degree?

I am only technically an international student, as I'm a Canadian citizen who got an undergraduate degree in US..

 

Has anyone have successfully completed a masters degree without a large amount of $$$ in bank?

I know that PhDs are probably fully funded, but what about masters?

If I get accepted to a masters program, I will most likely to get a TA position.

I'm really hoping that I will get a tuition waver+stipend.

 

At UC schools, it appears that some TA positions would not cover non-resident tuition.. (although some would)

 

Please share your experiences in funding through TA positions, especially at masters level. (I'm also interested in hearing about TA positions during PhD)

 

Thanks in advance!

Edited January 28, 2013 by Counterpointer

[G2A]

I am a international student just finishing my masters at a Big Ten school. I would not have come if it wasn't for full funding. I did TA the first semester here, but have been fortunate to been given RAs since. My department offered a five-year ride and I think they assume that most people do a masters + PhD. I've talked to another international student in another department who had a similar experience.

 

I have a feeling it will vary from university to university, but also from field to field.

[Usmivka]

For an MS only, full funding will be significantly rarer than when applying for a PhD program (which may or may not include a masters). But I suspect this varies a lot by program, and I don't have a clue what happens with Music. I suspect full funding even for domestic students is rare.

[kyjin]

Full funding for MAs is extremely rare, even for domestic students.  Like usmivka said, it does vary program to program.  I ended up getting full funding for my MA in Canada (I'm American) so it can happen.

[Counterpointer]

It looks like I will get full fundings at Temple University. With TAship, I'll get a tuition waiver+16.3k a year. Donno that's enough to live in Philadelphia.. Temple doesnt have PhD track so I think that's why I'll get the TAship and financial packages that PhDs will normally get. Also this 'Generally speaking, the Music Department at UCSB tries to provide all accepted students a funding offer of some sort.' UCSB is my top choice at the moment and I won't hear from them about financial aid until April.. Hmm. Funding offer. When grad schools say 'funding offer', is that close to full funding usually?.. I guess I might call the school..