Do funding offers typically come with acceptance letters or later?

[worrywort]

Hi all,

New here, so I apologize if this topic has been discussed previously. I used the search function and couldn't find an answer to my question.

I have applied to six grad schools in Library and Information Science master's programs (or a similar discipline such as Information Studies). So far, I have heard back from three grad schools and received acceptance to each.

I have not heard anything regarding funding, though. I was wondering if anyone could shed light on an issue that's been bothering me. It's harder to find information than one might think, or perhaps my Googling skills need polishing.

Basically, I'm wondering whether or not I should be worried about not receiving any funding offers along with my acceptance letters. Is it possible that I will receive funding offers at a later point? I understand that it may vary from school to school, but I was wondering more specifically about people's personal experiences regarding this issue. I am really hoping for some kind of financial assistance, but I understand that it might not happen.

So, in short, do most people receive funding offers with acceptance? Keep in mind that I am applying for my master's, not my Ph.D.

If it helps, these are the schools I have applied to:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (waiting to hear from)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (waiting to hear from)

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (accepted)

University of Washington at Seattle (waiting to hear from)

University of Texas at Austin (accepted)

Syracuse University (accepted)

Also, from the schools that have already accepted me, should I inquire about funding opportunities, and what might be the best way to go about it? Of course all schools have general information on funding on their respective websites, but that is why I ask.

Thanks so much in advance for any insight/advice.

[jose]

I think it varies a lot between different schools, departments and programs (you're probably more likely to get funding for a Ph.D. than a masters), but from my experience they will usually tell you if you're being offered any sort of scholarship, TA-ship, fellowship etc. when they send the admissions letter. But again, it probably varies a lot.

Sometimes there is a separate application if you want to be considered for fellowships - not all schools have them, but many do. Did you fill those out?

And, if you've been accepted, I would definitely ask about funding opportunities. I don't really know anything about Library and Information Sciences - is this typically a degree where you'll receive help?

[RomulusAugustulus]

Congrats on the acceptances!

The best place to find this out is probably the department's website. Some say things like "Funding not available for MAs" some say things like "Funding guaranteed x number of years". But they will often let you know around when you should be hearing about funding. From what I understand, the school is supposed to have your funding situation laid out by April 15 decision day. You should also call the schools if you can't find the info on the website. Good luck!

[meg]

This may well not apply across the board, but I know in my experience applying to the Fletcher School at Tufts University that the timelines for acceptances and for financial aid are not entirely the same. I was accepted to Fletcher during their early notification process in December, but their website warns that notification of scholarship awards will not be made until late March. I expect this may be because the school wants a more complete picture of its accepted applicant pool before they dole out awards, and it also gives applicants a chance to complete their tax returns and submit their FAFSAs before award decisions are made. At least at Fletcher, this is critical since all award packages take both merit *and* need into consideration.

[worrywort]

Thanks, guys! Pretty much all of the schools I applied to for the most part consider you for merit-based fellowships and funding once you've submitted your application (as long as it's before the early deadline, which mine all were). For example, from UM's website: "SI scholarship decisions are made by the faculty serving on the master's admissions committee and are based on the full set of application materials; no additional forms are needed."

meg, your post was particularly helpful. I've heard similar things from a few other people, but I've been panicking a bit lately. None of the sites really say when funding decisions will be made, and I don't exactly want to just pop the question, as that seems a bit presumptuous. Obviously, it's still early, and the full picture/pool explanation (though maybe not accurate for all schools) certainly makes sense.

I know for Ph.D. programs, schools seem to like to lock in the best potential candidates. My [optimistic] understanding with regards to master's programs is that the funding may be determined a bit later on down the road.

jose--I'm not sure if it's necessarily a program in which you'll necessarily receive help, but there are definitely awards to be given at the schools I've applied to (which are all supposedly the best in the field and for the concentration I'm most interested in, with the exception of UT--my back-up in case I don't receive any assistance as I live in Texas).

Thanks for the congrats, acs

Best of luck to you all. Thanks again for the responses.