<p>a question i have is, do schools offer need/merit based scholarship/grants to students pursuing a masters degree in general? or do so schools jsut do that for undergrad students?</p>
<p>anyone? huh?</p>
<p>most masters programs from what I have seen may throw you a few $$ but the bulk of the package is loans. IF you are looking to pursue a masters/mba your best bet would be to get a nice job after undergrad with a tuition remission/reimbursement program and let your employer help pay for it.</p>
<p>Masters programs do sometimes give merit based aid (not need based) but usually you will have to take out a lot of loans in addition to cover the total cost.</p>
<p>depends on the master's program, and how much they want you.</p>
<p>my grad degree will be a joint one between law and urban planning--law just gave me loans, but i got enough merit aid from the urban planning school to cover my tuition and give me a small stipend while i'm taking classes towards the MUP.</p>
<p>"Masters" as in MBA? Generally, no - MBA schools offer loans not scholarships.</p>
<p>Masters as in "Master of Science". My experience is that very little scholarship money is given to students entering Masters program as the terminal science degree. Most scholarship money is in the form of teaching assistantships or research assitantships reserved for those students entering as doctoral students. Some PhD students who've had a TA or RA ultimately drop out of the PhD program after qualifying exams to take a masters degree.</p>
<ol>
<li> Financial independence. It is calculated very differnetly at schools; mine does not require my parent's information because I've been "independent" on their tax returns for about four or five years now. Some other schools consider financial support from parents - especially for determinations of residency status for in-state tuition. Some schools require parental income to even file for financial aid.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>Very correct that the FAFSA does not ask for parental income after the first bachelor's has been granted. </p>
<ol>
<li> In-state tuition. States vary. First of all, Tennessee probably has reciprocity with another, neighbouring state. I know that Connecticut grants reduced tuition to New England residents who apply to its law school. Look into that. CT also has "automatic" residency for the purposes of in-state tuition; once you've converted your driver's license, car registration, license plates, and voter registration to CT for a full year, you are considered a resident. Other states have an "intent to stay" requirement, in which you must affirmatively prove (and this is your job, not theirs) that you intend to say in the state for purposes other than education. I know someone who purchased a house to satisfy that requirement. Michigan, I believe, has some five-year requirement for getting in-state tuition - you must be independent of your out-of-state parents for five years. Some states consider sources of financial support, social networks, employment, and where you pay your taxes.</li>
</ol>
<p><a href="http://registrar.iupui.edu/residenc.html%5B/url%5D">http://registrar.iupui.edu/residenc.html</a></p>
<p>Upshot: You may need to take time off between undergrad and med school. You should talk with your parents (and perhaps tax advisors, if there are consequences for claiming you as a dependent) about switching your driver's license over to Indiana. Now, you probably can't have a driver's license address as a dorm room; however, if you move off campus as a junior or senior, that would be an ideal time to change your residency. Vote in Indiana. Work a job there and pay taxes. There is a section about "all sources of financial support for the past two years." Seriously consider taking two (or three) years off after undergrad and working in Indiana (or whatever state you may choose!!) to establish residency. Just a thought, but consider working at a hospital in a state in which you would really like to settle. Establish social ties. Establish familial ties - if your second cousins live in California, consider moving near them.</p>
<p>It is often very difficult to establish residency. There is an absolute 12-month minimum requirement, even if you buy property and marry. Consider this. Also consider that the tuition differential ($20k/year) will make it worth it to take some time off.</p>
<p>Anyone know about financing for journalism schools post-B.A.? That's probably via loans too, isn't it? Even though earnings expectations are not that high.</p>
<p>Hoedown and Aries
Thanks for clarifying. D's program is PhD in a humanities area. She's fully funded by a fellowship but wanted a Stafford loan only in her first year to cover the essentials of moving/furnishing her new place.School required FAFSA only and it was only for the Stafford so no parental info was needed. Said U has a law school and a medical school..I wonder what the rules are for those students?</p>