Graduate Assistantship:Half-Full

[samstrong123]

Hi All,

I have applied for PhD program in Biology related field. One of the school is planning to offer me half stipend for 1st year & then if posssible they can give me full stipend.

For that program after covering tutuion fees, there are following 3 types of stipend-

1. PhD Assistantship Stipend- $ 15k/ yr (this can be called half one)

2. PhD Academic Fellowship Stipend- $ 25k/ yr

3. PhD Distinguished Fellowship Stipend- $ 30k/ yr (this can be called full one)

 

So if they are offering me $ 15k for first year & saying can give more stipend in later years as per availability of funds. Should I buy this?

ie Situation A-for 1st yr they will pay me $ 15k & next yr they will pay me $ 25k/ 30k/yr

or Situation B-after first yr they can say they do not have more funds & make me work for rest of my prgram for $ 15 k/yr only?

 

Shall I take this into consideration based on oral saying from someone from department or shall I take in writing from Department chair or Graduate coordinator ?

 

Does any one has been in similar shoes before? If so can advice me on this?

Thanks.

Sam.

prk_01234@yahoo.com

[Eigen]

I may be wrong, but are you sure on your numbers?

 

The way they're phrased, it seems more like they're offering you half of the assistantship stipend (7.5k) you first year, and a full assistantship the next year. 

 

The other two are both fellowships, and wouldn't normally be considered your average full stipend. 

[iphi]

Well if it is conditional on funding, then it doesn't really matter if you get it in writing... if they really don't want to pay you they will say they don't have the funds.

 

I would go for it if you really like the department/have no other options. As long as you're in good standing after your first year you will most likely find funding!

[samstrong123]

Hi,

Thanks for reply.

Eigen- Yes I'm sure about wording of funding. In option 1, school pays student's full tution fee and give $ 15k/yr as a stipend. So it boils down to $1100-$ 1200/month.

iphi- I got your point. As I do not have better option as of now, I probably go ahead with it. And also- if they like me (my work) they will find more funding for me & if they do not they will say they do not have funds.

Sam.