<p>Not that I expected a full ride but... reeeeally?? I finally received my financial aid package today:
$5,000 Federal Work Study
$12,500 Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
$8,500 Subsidized Stafford Loan
$25,164 Graduate Plus Loan</p>
<p>As things stand, I can't afford 2 years at those costs. Is there anyway to finagle more money out of them? Can I potentially get assistantships and research assistant positions on top of this? Do 2nd year students typically have more opportunities for funding or should I count on paying both years in full? </p>
<p>I don't have any loans leftover from undergrad but... isn't this a completely ridiculous financial decision?!? I may have $15,000 in savings right now. But won't this always be the case- I'm going to have to dish out this money at some point for graduate school? </p>
<p>Begging for thoughts/advice/etc since I don't really have any mentors on these kinds of subjects. I admit, I totally don't know the ins and outs of the grad school process. </p>
<p>Thanks!!!
Ryann</p>
<p>For background:
Accepted into Georgetown's Arab Studies program for MA. Did not apply to any other programs.
I graduated last year with a 3.8 GPA in International Relations from a top 10 liberal arts college. Decent GREs. Excellent recommendations and solid research background. Experience working with an international NGO in Jordan. Currently a Middle East analyst for the govt.</p>