Is 75% tution + TA postions a good deal?

[NYTreader]

I received an acceptance at an excellent and expensive university for my masters. I was told every grad student would receive the same financial package. 75% tution with a TA postions. Can I ask for more money? I have read here that some people have full tution waivers and a stipend given to them. I' m very nervous about borrowing a lot of money (25,000$). First time grad student here. I have NO idea how to ask or if I'm getting a greatt deal? What would you do?

[aberrant]

You may have read here about "full tuition waiver + stipend" only because people are in different programs. For instance, science programs in my school offers full tuition waiver + stipend ($19-$22K) whereas literature and art programs offer 50-70% tuition waiver + $11-$13K stipend. Therefore, it really depends on what do you study (besides which school it is and where it locates).

 

I'm not sure if you can bargain a deal with the school, but you can certainly ask them to see how do students (in the same program) typically work/live with the given financial package -- do they work part-time elsewhere? TA extra courses? Apply scholarships/fellowships? If you can gather this information from the graduate program coordinator and/or current grad students from the program, that will certainly help you a lot.

[Between Fields]

I would say no. Don't pay to go to grad school. Or look at the stipend you'd be getting and subtract the difference between the tuition waiver and the actual cost of your tuition and see how much you left over. It's an easy way for them to claim they're paying you a certain amount, but they know they'll get a portion of that back in tuition. Plus, in terms of income tax, you wouldn't have to pay on a tuition waiver (under a certain amount for admin., at all for teaching) but you will on that stipend.

[rising_star]

It strikes me as not a very good deal, but it would depend on how much tuition is and how much the TA position pays. That said, you may not be able to negotiate if the program said that is their standard funding package. Instead, you'd probably have to find a supplemental TA position, scholarships, or a second job in order to provide for yourself financially.

[NYTreader]

Thank you for your thoughtful responses. Aberrant nailed it. I am studying for an MFA at University of Chicago. Thank you for you comments, all! You have given me a lot to think about. I am working 3 jobs to save up enough to go the school. I hate being in debt.