Inquiring About Funding

[hypoart]

Hey gradcafe world,

Question on doing research about funding:

do you think it would be bad form to ask the programs I'm considering what the avg amount of funding awarded to admitted students is?  what's the best way to figure out the financial feasibility of a program? 

Thanks for your input!

[cpw0021]

Hey gradcafe world,

Question on doing research about funding:

do you think it would be bad form to ask the programs I'm considering what the avg amount of funding awarded to admitted students is?  what's the best way to figure out the financial feasibility of a program? 

Thanks for your input!

It's not bad form at all-I think programs expect that question to be asked, it's a part of the process for weeding out/figuring out what's the best fit.  Everyone I have asked at the programs I'm interested in was very upfront about it, very open and understanding of the fact that funding is a major factor in deciding where to go to apply/attend. 

I think some schools have the numbers available for tuition, cost of living, health care, etc. and would happily point you where to find it. At the least the ones I'm looking into do. 

[smartstrategy]

Yes you should ask in my opinion.

Sometimes you can find info directly on the school website.

Check out these threads as well on funding and offers to get possible info on the schools you are interested in also. I repost so that they are easier to find for newcomers to the forum.

Fundng can also vary depending on how you rank once accepted ie some students get larger fellowships (no work required), some TA ships which pay less and require work, is health insurance paid for? Ask how many hours you would work ie 10 hours per week or 20 hours per week. Are international students funded as well? Can you receive in state tuition if you are out of state? A school may not offer that unless you ask.

All the best to you and everyone else! This forum is a great resource.

[ElizaMFA]

Ask.  Smartstrategy has great advice.  Also, there are programs that look expensive but nearly everyone is funded (Cornell).  At SUNY Purchase, where I go, no one received a full ride but there are some people with very small tuition bills.  Everyone receives some sort of assistance.  If you are thinking of applying to and attending a large program (~20+ students per class) I would think long and hard about going if no funding is offered.  Institutional attention and resources are likely to go to the funded students.  Every program is different so ask the detailed questions. 

[hypoart]

Thanks for the helpful replies, everyone! I'm doing my due diligence and drafting some questions that I plan to ask each program. 

Best of luck to all of those 2016 applicants out there!