Admitted without funding. Is it possible to get funding later?

[Cra2y_G1raffe]

As the title...

Admitted without any funding  is it possible to get funding (assistantship or something) after the enrollment? it is a M.S. program. Is it possible to transfer from a M.S. program into a PhD program (same major, same school, same advisor)? Thank you a lot! any advice or comment will be great!

[ibull]

I think the question you're really asking is: is it worth the investment risk now to accept the position and relocate to the University without guaranteed funding? The answer to this question is almost always going to be no, unfortunately. It is always possible to apply and receive aid later, and it is always possible to transfer credits to a PhD program later, but it is not necessary to attend a master's program without fee remission in order to receive these benefits or to be accepted into a PhD program in the future. Any recruiter who tells you otherwise is acting in a predatory manner and you should avoid that institution.

The conventional wisdom I've learned over the years is that these kinds of master's programs are generally not worth your personal investment if money is an issue for you. They are designed to both make faculty look more prestigious, and to generate a novel revenue stream for the department. Sometimes professional master's degrees help people transition professionally into different career paths, or allow students to network with different kinds of people for future collaborations. But, these kinds of programs are not generally supported with fee remission and tuition waivers because students are not preparing to become faculty. 

If your goal is both PhD and fee remission, my best advice is to apply again next year. One way you can increase you chances of getting both is to research and identify faculty you want to work with who are also available as advisors. One of the more tragic things that can happen in the application process is that you did everything right, but you didn't get in because the faculty you want to work with are on sabbatical, or they already have too many advisees. May/June is a good time to do this research and follow up with emails to specific faculty about the work they are currently doing (University websites are notoriously out of date). By the time they get back to you—July/August—you have a better sense of what to put in your Statement of Purpose and where you want to apply (ideally, no more than a few programs because yea—those fees are brutal). 

Wish I could be of more help. 

[.letmeinplz//]

Q1: Sure, but most programs reserve TA positions for PhD students who need it (since they are guaranteed funding). For RA funding that come from grants, usually the professor chooses who they want, so if you are doing research with a professor you might be able to snag an RA position.

Q2: Most programs I've applied to (back when I was applying for MS) had some kind of path for MS -> PhD. My current program the path is "get recommended by your thesis committee for continuance", basically do well and you can change to PhD.

Edited May 5, 2017 by .letmeinplz//

[ThousandsHardships]

It is possible, but I wouldn't count on it. If you accept the offer, the assumption is that you accepted it knowing that you are not going to be funded. Therefore, they are not likely to make any effort to fund you. They may if they need more TA's and you state your interest, but you can't count on it.

[Camilla00]

There are chances but I would not consider them. You may get funding but it can take more than half year.

[cowgirlsdontcry]

On ‎5‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 10:03 PM, Cra2y_G1raffe said:

Admitted without any funding  is it possible to get funding (assistantship or something) after the enrollment? it is a M.S. program. Is it possible to transfer from a M.S. program into a PhD program (same major, same school, same advisor)? Thank you a lot! any advice or comment will be great!

In some smaller schools with only terminal master's programs, the GA-ships come through the grad school and not the department. My MA school is one such program. It was not advertised and while not hidden, one had to know it was available and where to look because the opportunities were limited. I received a stipend for all four semesters of my MA and worked as RA/TA and eventually had my own section of 1st year rhet comp, although they did not waive tuition. My suggestion is if you are interested in a program, to ask the grad school if there are any assistantships and how they are awarded.