Funding for Canadian at US schools?

[Fobe]

Hi all,

 

I'm a Canadian student, exploring options for History PhD programs in the US.  I've been combing schools' websites but haven't had any luck finding answers to my questions.

 

I'm just wondering if funding for international students would be any different from the funding described on programs' sites.  The most I've found so far is occasional references to funding being dependent upon "international student status" so I don't know if that means if you're an international student period or if it's related to maintaining that status through grades, something to that effect.

 

Anyway, I'm sure this changes from school to school, and I know I could contact schools to find all this out, but I'm really in the early stages of exploring these options, so don't want to start harassing schools just yet.  I'm hoping to get some feedback from those with experience so I can get a general idea what to expect... and whether studying in the States is even remotely an option in terms of finances!

 

[Safferz]

A funded PhD program means funding for any student accepted to the program, regardless of nationality/citizenship.

[TakeruK]

I think statements like "dependent on international student status" might mean you having to maintain legal F-1 or J-1 (international student) statuses during your time in the US. If you lose legal status (by doing something against the rules of F-1/J-1 status like taking unauthorized employment), then the school will have to kick you out, and thus, they will withdraw all funding. 

 

Like Safferz said, at US and Canadian schools, if you are in a fully funded program, then you are funded regardless of citizenship. At some schools, international students may cost more (higher tuition etc.) but usually this means the school accepts fewer international students, not pay international students less!

 

Finally, there are some awards available to Canadians studying in the US. For example, in the Natural Sciences, we can take the NSERC PGS-D to the US. I think SSHRC might have something similar? In addition, there is a $15,000 Fulbright award that you can apply to through the Canadian government. You'll find few opportunities in the US to fund non-Americans, but there is sometimes one or two. 

[biisis]

Hey there! I was in the same boat as you last year. Here's my findings:

 

- It's definitely doable for fully funded programs (where they pay your tuition and give you a paycheque that covers your basic living expenses). It can still be tight, however, because:

 

- You'll pocket the same stipend as US students, but get taxed more (fun fact: stipends are taxable here). There's not really much of a minimum income you can make as an international student before taxes switch on for you, which is another big difference from the Canadian system. Take that into account when budgeting for your prospective city.

 

- Insurance is a big expense here (about $2,000-$3,000 per year). Your program might cover that; it might not. If you need to buy your own insurance, cheaper options might not be available to you due to the conditions of your visa (you'll be required to meet minimum standards that aren't that minimal). I miss the sweet embrace of public healthcare.

 

- Look into the SSHRC and Fulbright for additional funding (you can apply to SSHRC next year if you've missed the deadline). The extra paycheques really help! 

Edited January 27, 2015 by biisis

[TakeruK]

Oh yeah, grr taxes The only government I've every owed taxes to so far has been the United States! Despite how much Americans claim that Canadians get taxed a lot, for young people earning $20k-$30k per year, you actually pay more in taxes as an American than a Canadian (their tax credit system is a lot different/strange).

 

On the bright side, make sure you claim your educational expenses as Canadian tax credit. Even if you get a tuition waiver, you will file it in Canada as getting paid $X (tuition amount) on top of your stipend but it's not taxable since it's income meant to support graduate education. You can also claim the standard educational amounts ($400/month living expenses as full time student, $80/month[i think] for books/supplies etc.). You need to get a TL-11A, which you can find online and ask your school to fill out that form with the dollar amounts of your tuition+fees as well as the number of months you were enrolled.

 

So, while I am sad to be paying an extra $2000-$3000 to the US government in taxes, I am hoping that I'll get most of it back when I return to Canada and claim my educational tax credits! (Note: educational tax credits get used up before Canada considers Foreign Paid Tax credit so if you don't go back to Canada right away, you might not get full use of your educational tax credits).

[Fobe]

Thanks all!  I'd been running on the assumption that funded meant funded, but I remember reading something a few months back at one school that suggested otherwise, but I haven't for the life of me been able to find it again.

 

I'l definitely be applying for all those scholarships as well - I've got a couple years before I'm applying for programs, I think. (baby #2 on the way - I don't want to be doing grad school with a newborn!)  I'm just a planner so am trying to figure out where and all that now.

 

And as for insurance, my husband is American so hopefully that will somehow help us out with getting a cheaper rate? Maybe? Haha, who knows.

[TakeruK]

Thanks all!  I'd been running on the assumption that funded meant funded, but I remember reading something a few months back at one school that suggested otherwise, but I haven't for the life of me been able to find it again.

 

I'l definitely be applying for all those scholarships as well - I've got a couple years before I'm applying for programs, I think. (baby #2 on the way - I don't want to be doing grad school with a newborn!)  I'm just a planner so am trying to figure out where and all that now.

 

And as for insurance, my husband is American so hopefully that will somehow help us out with getting a cheaper rate? Maybe? Haha, who knows.

 

Your nationality doesn't affect your insurance rate. However, if your husband is American, does that mean you can apply for American permanent residency? Usually that means you are no longer considered an international student, which is a good thing for admissions. Usually non-Americans cost more in tuition so they admit fewer international students. You might also qualify for American grants!

[wannabe02]

Hiyo!

 

Ditto what everyone else said.

 

What you really need to worry about is what will the American program do about foreign sourced funding? Some programs may withdraw their funding from you if you have equivalent foreign sourced funding. This would be worth checking on from department to department, and getting it in writing. It may influence where you apply, or where you accept. Having the extra funding sitting in your American or Canadian bank account will have a longterm positive impact on your ability to wait it out on the job market/be happy and not stressed. It may also influence when you decide to apply for SSHRC funding.

 

You should also know that you can only apply for the Canada Fulbright the year you're applying to PhD programs. The Canada Fulbright program stipulates you can't already have been enrolled in an American program when applying.

 

Man, I wish someone had told me all this when I was applying!

 

G'luck.

[TakeruK]

Hiyo!

 

Ditto what everyone else said.

 

What you really need to worry about is what will the American program do about foreign sourced funding? Some programs may withdraw their funding from you if you have equivalent foreign sourced funding. This would be worth checking on from department to department, and getting it in writing. It may influence where you apply, or where you accept. Having the extra funding sitting in your American or Canadian bank account will have a longterm positive impact on your ability to wait it out on the job market/be happy and not stressed. It may also influence when you decide to apply for SSHRC funding.

 

You should also know that you can only apply for the Canada Fulbright the year you're applying to PhD programs. The Canada Fulbright program stipulates you can't already have been enrolled in an American program when applying.

 

Man, I wish someone had told me all this when I was applying!

 

G'luck.

 

In my field, in both Canada and the US, it's common for the department to set fixed funding levels and getting extra funding usually does not mean you keep all of the extra money. For example, at one Canadian school, the three funding levels for MSc programs are: $24k/year (no scholarship), $27k/year (Ontario scholarship), $32k/year (national scholarship). So, the NSERC CGS-M is something like $18k/year, but they will reduce the in-school funding so that your total funding comes out to $32k/year. This is common practice and I believe totally fine because the in-school funding can often be an award that has a needs-based condition.

 

One US example is that the funding is set at $30k/year (+ tuition) no matter what. I have a NSERC PGS-D that is $21k/year CAD so the school just pays for my tuition and the difference between my award and the set funding level. Some students with really really big awards that pay both tuition and stipend can keep the extra pay, however, the tuition is like $40k/year so this is rare.

 

And, wannabe02 is right that you should strategize how/when you apply for SSHRC or NSERC funding. Maybe SSHRC is a little different, but for NSERC, I would recommend that you apply every single year you can (starting in your final year of undergrad). You will find out about your award in April and have until May to decide to accept it. By then, you would know which US school you are attending and you can have their policy on your award in writing. If it turns out that you are better off taking the SSHRC/NSERC in years 2-4 instead of 1-3 (for whatever reason) then decline the SSHRC/NSERC award and reapply (or ask for a deferral).

 

Finally, having Canadian based income is a good thing because as non-residents of America, we do not pay American federal taxes on Canadian income. I do pay California state tax on foreign income though, but that's much less. So, having two-thirds of my income non-taxable is a nice plus.