Financial dilemma: currently enrolled, accepted at other program

[Tachiyaku]

I am currently enrolled as a PhD student at a well-ranked interdisciplinary program. I am in my second year, and have 1 more year before I take my comps and become ABD. The package I was offered was 24k over 4 years (so I have 2 more years of funding left) and no summer funding.

 

However, I've been unhappy in the program for a variety of reasons. This year, I applied and got accepted into a another great program in the discipline I got my MA degree in. I had already spoken to my current DGS (who I am close to) about my acceptance before I got my official package just to give her a head's up that I am considering moving. She was very understanding, particularly since students have been struggling with making ends meet over summers and once their funding runs out. At the time, all I knew was that I was going to be offered funding for 6 years + 3 summers. She said that if it would make a difference to my decision then she would try to secure summer funding for me, and perhaps even a fifth year (though nothing is guaranteed of course). To do this she'd have to take my offer letter and lobby the graduate school.

 

The POI at the new university said repeatedly that we should send him any offer letters from other schools so that they can match it. I wasn't accepted anywhere else, but yesterday I sent my POI the offer letter for the program I am currently enrolled in. Today I received my official offer letter from them -  18K over 6 years and guaranteed summer funding for three years, although the summer funding was not included in the offer letter. So I am offered less money at school 2 but for a longer period of time, although that means I have to start over (financial security is extremely important to me since I am an international student). 

 

Here's my dilemma: I know there is some room for negotiation with school 2, since they were very clear about their desire and ability to match competing offers. It doesn't seem however that they considered my current package a "competing offer," perhaps because I only have two more years of funding left (that would leave 2 years unfunded for which I will have to apply to external grants). I have not decided exactly where to go yet, but I do want to try to negotiate a better situation for myself at either school. I need a better offer from school 2 for me to be able to accept, but also to give me leverage with my current school for possible summer funding and a fifth year. Should I email school 2 and be honest about the inadequacy of their package, considering what a steep cut it is from my current one in hopes that they will adjust my offer?

[victorydance]

Can you not look for ways to fund yourself through the summer? Lots of profs hire RAs over the summer. 

[Tachiyaku]

In my current program that's unfortunately not really an option.

[happy little pill]

I would e-mail program 2 back and explain your situation. The worst that's going to happen is they're not going to offer you more money.

[geographyrocks]

Is program two in a different city with a lower cost of living?

[Tachiyaku]

Different city, higher cost of living.