False Funding???

[sheabutter]

Before accepting admission into a phd Educational Leadership program, I was assured funding. However, now I am without funding and almost at my loan max.  The chair and my advisor are now slow on communication, whereas they were emailing me within seconds initially.   I am looking for outside sourcing on and off campus, but I am having no luck. I am not sure what to do. Any suggestions????

[Eigen]

Was this assurance in writing?

[sshopeful]

We are dealing with similar issues. Unbelievable.

Edited May 14, 2013 by sshopeful

[bellefast]

Hmm since we have no idea if this was in writing, (which is something you need because I have seen people burned many times.) Have you tried looking for assistantships or GA ships on campus? Not knowing whether you are in the program starting this fall or not, I think this is still time to look for an assistantship or GA ship that can waive your tuition and give you some money in your pocket.

Edited May 14, 2013 by bellefast

[sheabutter]

Was this assurance in writing?

 

Yes this was in writing.

[sheabutter]

Hmm since we have no idea if this was in writing, (which is something you need because I have seen people burned many times.) Have you tried looking for assistantships or GA ships on campus? Not knowing whether you are in the program starting this fall or not, I think this is still time to look for an assistantship or GA ship that can waive your tuition and give you some money in your pocket.

 

I have looked on campus and most of the positions are for master's level students or have been awarded for the upcoming school year.  Now, I was told to wait at latest, this December for funding. 

[La_Di_Da]

Communicated in writing via email or an official award that you had to officially decline or accept? The latter, receipt of official award followed by an official decision, is legally binding and yields a paper trail (something one can present in a court of law). It is my understanding that the former, a conversational email, would not constitute a legally binding contract. Hence, specificity here is important. If they entered a legally binding contract with you, you can litigate.

[nugget]

If the funding doesn't come through, you may need to consider switching over to part time studies and working fulltime, which I am sure won't go over well with your department, but what do they expect? You were promised money and didn't get it. That changes things.

 

If they continue to evade the topic or postpone the funding, you may also want to consider booking a 30 minute appointment with a lawyer just to find out what your rights are before deciding how to proceed.

[ray323]

This happened to me as well. It's really unbelievable how this happened to quite a few of us. 

[bellefast]

I have looked on campus and most of the positions are for master's level students or have been awarded for the upcoming school year.  Now, I was told to wait at latest, this December for funding. 

 

Was the funding in writing a official award you had to decline or accept like La_Di_Da said? If so go with what this poster and others are saying. You might have to meet with a lawyer. If not, have you check the job boards? At my school they separate the assistantships from the job board and many of the jobs can be used as assistantships instead. 

 

I had to deal with this situation the first time I applied to the school I was going to go to last year. You don't have to give me any information, but if you want you can PM me and I will check out the school to look around for jobs to help. I know that my school I am at now have school organizations that have jobs on their sites but don't put them up on the job board and it is frustrating especially when you need the job for school.

[bellefast]

This happened to me as well. It's really unbelievable how this happened to quite a few of us. 

I'm confused how this is happening though. I know that unless this is on paper and I can accept or decline the money, then I don't believe them. I keep assuming I have no money and that I need to find a job. If people are really doing this, I hope people take action so other people don't go through this as well.