Minnesota Funding

[88literatureguy88]

Hi,

 

I am one of many on the waitlist at Minnesota.  I was hoping someone would have some information about Minnesota's typical funding package.  The website is fairly vague -- grad students get a combination of fellowships and ta's.  Do all grad students get both?  Do some get nothing?  How much is average?  Any info on this would be appreciated. 

 

 

[thatjewishgirl]

LOL - how many are on the waistlist?! I'm on it, too. I also find their funding confusing... I am under the impression that you get 17,000 for the first year, but it fluxuates after that, which disturbs me.

[88literatureguy88]

I guess I just assumed that there were many on the waitlist.  Maybe not...but I think it's likely due to the size of the department.  And 17,000 for the first year?  I saw someone say they got that in the results search.  Seems a bit odd since I think the TA is around 14,000.  So, if this is true, a grad student would get reduced funding after the first year...unless the fellowship of 17,000 is continued for 5 years or whatever. I doubt it, though. 

Edited March 12, 2013 by 88literatureguy88

[bluecheese]

It's 17k for the first year, and then 13k for the years after that (with potential for summer funding--almost everyone gets a couple summer classes and one GRPP which add up to about 4k each). So, 4 years at 17k. Also, many people get dissertation fellowships that pay 23k in their 4th, 5th, or 6th year. So you'll usually make around 17k, but there might be a year or two at 13k.

 

I hope that's helpful.

[Bennett]

Are you all English or Comp. Lit?

[88literatureguy88]

Are you all English or Comp. Lit?

 

I'm English.  How hard is it to live on 17,000 in Minneapolis? 

[thatjewishgirl]

Thanks, bluecheese!

 

English Lit, too.

 

It sounds hard given how big Minneapolis is, but I don't know for a fact.

[ghijklmn]

I'm English. How hard is it to live on 17,000 in Minneapolis?

Hi all, I didn't study at the U of M, but a lot of my friends did. My impression is that cost of living is pretty cheap. You can rent a room in a house in Dinkytown (right near campus) for $400 or a 1-BR off-campus for $650, and food and gas are relatively cheap compared to the eastern and western US!

[Lycidas]

I'm English.  How hard is it to live on 17,000 in Minneapolis? 

 

It's definitely doable. I've had friends who served a year in Americorps and lived in Minneapolis on about $11,000, although that got be rather difficult. Not only is the housing affordable, as noted, but public transportation is very cheap. U of M students can get a Upass for only $97 a semester, which covers unlimited bus and light rail rides (check it out here) and that will be even more helpful with the opening of a second light rail line in 2014. In my opinion this makes it possible to live in Minneapolis without a car, although there are others that disagree with me (largely due to the winters being dreadfully cold, and this making public transportation less appealing). But if you can manage without a car, your cost of living can be very low in the Twin Cities

[jrockford27]

I currently live near the U of MN and went there for my undergrad (English).

 

I pay $765/mo for a one bedroom apt. about a 25 minute walk from the building in which the English dept. is housed.  Though I know I overpay, mainly because I like my location for a myriad of reasons.  There should be places available for less than that.  If you're willing to have roommates, it shouldn't be hard to find a shared house/apt for 300-400 a month.  If you're willing to get a bit out of walking distance, you might be able to go even cheaper.  I can get a week's worth of groceries for about $38, and that's shopping at the fancy grocery store a few blocks from my place.  The on/near-campus food and drink specials are spectacular (especially at Burrito Loco).

 

The neighborhood where students typically live, Marcy-Holmes (of which the legendary "Dinkytown" is a part), is very walkable, and Minneapolis is consistently rated as one of the top biking cities in the country.  I may take this for granted though, as I've lived here my entire life.  I walked 25-30 minutes to class every day, regardless of the weather.  Dress warm (this sometimes will involve long underwear) and you'll be fine.

 

The bus system around the University is super convenient, and as has been noted, the unlimited passes are affordable.  If you live in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood you'll never live more than a block or two from a bus stop pretty much, and you can get anywhere in the city and the inner-ring suburbs by bus fairly swiftly.

 

I loved the University of Minnesota.  I love Minneapolis.  I'm sad to be leaving it.  Also, as I said, I did my undergrad in the English dept.  If you have any questions about the school, department, city, where to live, costs, etc. feel free to PM me.

Edited March 13, 2013 by jrockford27

[Porridge]

Random, I was told there was 6 years full and secured funding.

[thebeatgoeson]

Minnnesota's visiting "weekend" starts today.  As a waitlistee, I definitely checked weather.com, hoping to find that the temperature would be sub-zero or that there would be 16" of snow or 30 mph winds.  You know, really just anything to deter prospective students.  Alas, it's just normal-people cold.  In any case, fingers are crossed; we might just see some movement after this weekend.

Edited March 14, 2013 by thebeatgoeson

[Sadie_Bea]

It's 17k for the first year, and then 13k for the years after that (with potential for summer funding--almost everyone gets a couple summer classes and one GRPP which add up to about 4k each). So, 4 years at 17k. Also, many people get dissertation fellowships that pay 23k in their 4th, 5th, or 6th year. So you'll usually make around 17k, but there might be a year or two at 13k.

 

I hope that's helpful.

 

This seems pretty accurate based on what I was told as well.  There was something about TA positions not being guarrenteed, but perhaps that is--as most funding is--just dependent on your performance and satisfactory progress towards the degree.  Or maybe just a disclaimer?  

 

In response to living on 17k in Minneapolis, it shouldn't be too difficult (I've lived here a while, and even with commuting by car 70+ miles per day, my expenses are generally below 1.5k per month). 

[jrockford27]

Despite the weather this week, bear in mind, it was 80 degrees and sunny on St. Patrick's Day last year!

[lo.lee.ta]

Minnnesota's visiting "weekend" starts today.  As a waitlistee, I definitely checked weather.com, hoping to find that the temperature would be sub-zero or that there would be 16" of snow or 30 mph winds.  You know, really just anything to deter prospective students.  Alas, it's just normal-people cold.  In any case, fingers are crossed; we might just see some movement after this weekend.

 

Ha, glad I'm not the only one! I too am on the Minnesota waitlist and am hoping to hear something by next week. Good luck!