<p>My D1 had been planning to get her masters in High Ed/Student Affairs Administration. These programs generally provide for a graduate assistantship. In return for 15-20 hours a week of work on campus in a student affairs position, they cover tuition and a stipend of $9,000 -$15,000. This would have covered expenses if D shared an apartment, with use likely covering health and car insurance. </p>
<p>D has been very active in a major student philanthropy on campus, one that raised over $494,000 last year. She is now the overalll director for 2011-2012. Given the work she has been doing, and the folks she has been working with from the charity the event benefits, she now is seriously thinking about changing to a masters in Public Administration with a specialty in Nonprofit Management/Leadership. Problem is, these programs are not as well funded. There are some GA's, but they are competitive. Likely she will have one semester of a paid internship, with possibility that she might follow that up with a part-time position to follow. But without a assistantship, the program will not close to what the HE/SAA would have provided.</p>
<p>D will graduate with no undergrad loans. Between prepaid tuition, Bright Futures, and income, we have provided for all of her undergrad expenses. But I think it will be time for her to finance some of her graduate degree. I suspect we will have her take out loans for tuition, and try to cover living expenses, or maybe vice-versa. </p>
<p>I am new to the loan arena. As a grad student, she will file FAFSA as an independent adult? And our income is no longer taken into consideration? How much a year can a grad student get under a subsidized Stafford loan? </p>
<p>She will likely be staying in-state at state Flagship. The program is 5 semesters (one summer) and at 12 hours a semester and $375 per credit hour we are looking at about $9000 a year for tuition. The summer semester is the time of what is likely a paid internship. If we have her borrow to cover her tuition, and help cover the living expenses, we might be in a position to pay off the loan at graduation, as a graduation gift. We have some 529 account money, but have D2 who is looking to go to vet school. So I don't want to get backed into a corner. </p>
<p>Can someone educate me on grad school loans? It has been 35 years since I applied, and I used a health profession student loan. Thanks for the advice.</p>