Inquiries to Professors about Research Assistantships/Funding

[Hyraxes]

I recently received an acceptance to a PhD program at a large public school. In the acceptance email, they say (as expected):

 

"The Admissions process is related yet distinct to the process of receiving research assistantships that support your tuition, healthcare, and provide a stipend. 

 

"The majority of our research assistantships are provided directly by individual faculty.  We encourage you to contact [department] faculty and affiliated faculty members in your particular areas of interest to inquire about research opportunities both before and during your visit. Information about faculty and their research interests is available on our website at [website]. This advice also applies to students who have won external sources of support such as NSF Fellowships."

 

Some university fellowships are awarded, but I don't know when we are expected to receive information about them. I am guessing the most likely situation is I rely on a RA for funding.

 

My Questions Are:

1. What type of email do I write to PIs asking about possible funding? I assume it would be something like: a) what draws me to their research b ) what I could offer the lab c) are there any opportunities for me to work in the lab? I'd love some specific advice about the language.
2. What happens if a professor is interested in funding me and then I do not attend the program? I assume it means they just fund someone else...
3. Should I really be contacting professors about funding before the campus visit this spring?
4. What other questions should I be asking? I plan on contacting the department and asking some more informational questions, but I'm not sure where to start/what to ask.

Thanks so much for the help!

Edited February 4, 2015 by Hyraxes