Is it common to START with funding at a school, but lose it close to the finish?

[PhDinPublicHealthHopeful]

I've been told that funding is yearly, but worry that I would start a program with funding and lose it halfway through my program.

Also, let's say I start a program with two years of a GA position (and my out-of-state status changes to in-state tuition). When the GAship goes away (or if), does that mean I'd have to rever to out-of-state tuition? 

Thank you!

[Horb]

You have to check with the school (or each individual school that is offering you funding). In my program, we have been guaranteed 5.5 years of funding, but that funding looks different each year (1 year fellowship, 4 years TA-ship, ½ year of a VERY small fellowship and that year, no healthcare). Additionally, we were promised summer grants that are now being turned into "competitive" grants. Lesson learned: get everything in writing in your contract.

So you could lose funding after year 2 or you could have to apply for a GA-ship again with the chance of not getting it. You'll have to ask the school(s) directly.

 

[rising_star]

Your in-state vs. out-of-state tuition status isn't determined by things like whether or not you have a GA position typically. But, how that is determined varies from one state to the next. In some states, it's basically impossible to establish residency for tuition purposes while a full-time student but in others, it's expected that all students will do so. Funding renewal is similar, unfortunately. I would talk to current graduate students to get a sense of what the norms are.

[TakeruK]

Definitely talk to students there. In my field, we normally get offers that are yearly, but the norm is that you only lose funding if you are kicked out. Except for special circumstances, a student will not be allowed to stay in the program but go unfunded. That is, when the funding is contingent on "satisfactory progress", "unsatisfactory progress" is usually grounds for dismissal from the program.