goahead Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 So I am offered 23500$ GRA with full tuition waiver and health benefits for PhD at UMN Minnesota. Please let me know what will be the approx take home monthly stipend after tax deductions at UMN. I will be moving with my wife and kid (2 yrs). My wife is also looking for a postdoc though.
rising_star Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Difficult to say without knowing if your wife will be working and what her income is. You should also consider what it will cost to ensure your wife and kids on your health insurance plan or if that's entirely covered by the health benefits you're being offered.
goahead Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 Thanks for the quick response. I am planning to move alone initially for few months and then probably get my wife n kid. In the mean time I plan to find s position for my wife. My aadviser has also assured me to help her get a postdoc/research position. Im an international applicant. Just worried ehat will be the take stipend so that i can plan better.
GeoDUDE! Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 Is it a 9 month or a 12 month stipend? I think general rule of thumb (but I don't know for international applicants) is take out 20%. It probably is less, but if you budget with 80% of your money, you will be better off in the long run. username1824 1
goahead Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 Is it a 9 month or a 12 month stipend? I think general rule of thumb (but I don't know for international applicants) is take out 20%. It probably is less, but if you budget with 80% of your money, you will be better off in the long run.
goahead Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 Not sure right now. May be I shoukd ask the Program. Offer letter reads "Your initial stipend will be $23,500 plus a tuition waiver and healthcare benefits".
goahead Posted March 16, 2015 Author Posted March 16, 2015 Another concern for me is how to ask my adviser to increase stipend or provide other fellowship for which i can work extra hours citing my need to support wife and a kid. RA stipends are same for all incoming PhDs. First year funding is from college and rest of years will be supported by PIs funds. Will it be appropriate to discuss this with advisers (i have 2 advisers)?
rising_star Posted March 16, 2015 Posted March 16, 2015 goahead, you can ask but, if everyone gets the same stipend it will be difficult for you to get more, especially since there are limitations on the number of hours international students can work.
goahead Posted March 17, 2015 Author Posted March 17, 2015 Thanks Rising_star. I know it will be difficult for them to pay more. best option will be to look for a job for my wife. Thanks for your suggestions.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now