Stipend Negotiation

[ak8557]

I have narrowed my options down to Minnesota and Northwestern that offer similar stipends.  I just received the NSF fellowship, and Minnesota offered me $7,000 per year to supplement the NSF fellowship.  Northwestern has not offered me anything additional.  I plan on going to Northwestern regardless of any additional funding.  Is it inappropriate to negotiate funding at Northwestern?  If it is fine, does anyone have ideas as to how to go about doing this (i.e. talk to graduate adviser, POI, etc.)?  Any help is appreciated.

[tarrman]

When it comes to supplemental funding, I don't think it'd be appropriate to ask for more money.

[Guest HEPhD13]

I respectfully disagree. I think it is perfectly fine to ask for additional funding in a polite manner. There are a number of threads on here were people have successfully done so. If it were me, I would just call and say that you are extremely interested in their program, would love to attend, but funding is an important factor in your decision. Politely ask if they would be willing to work with you on the funding and possibly match the other offer you are are seriously considering. All they can say is no and then you are in the same position you are now. Good luck!

Edited March 30, 2013 by HEPhD13

[tarrman]

Fair enough, I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. But I think there is a big difference between asking for a better financial package when the school is funding you and asking for more money when you're already fully funded from an external fellowship. I personally couldn't justify asking a school for more money in addition to the $30k/yr NSF stipend without feeling a little greedy.