<p>hi folks</p>
<p>for a non-resident student in a health (biological) sciences program, how much does a typical student have to pay out of pocket?</p>
<p>the program i'm applying to says ALL PhD students receive funding. is the funding enough typically to cover any living costs? </p>
<p>what is the avg. net difference between what funding a student receives, and his expenses?</p>
<p>thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Well, I mean, it's not enough to live like a king, but it's enough to cover expenses if you're living somewhat frugally.</p>
<p>Programs at which I interviewed last year had stipends ranging from $25,000 to $28,000; in my first two months of school, I've managed to put a substantial amount in savings, and my stipend even has to cover living expenses for both my fiance and me.</p>
<p>That's a <em>very</em> hard to answer question. </p>
<p>The best package among the universities I'm interested in is The University of Minnesota's "Graduate School Fellowship ". It pays tuition, fees, partial health insurance and a $21500 per year stipend. They give out about 60 of 'em a year. That's the BEST situation. TA/RAs at UMN make $15.71 - $24.47 so a half time apointment (20hrs a week) works out to about $12,250 - $19,100 for the nine months. Those generally include tuition and fees as well. </p>
<p>A frugal single person <em>might</em> be able to live on that in Minneapolis. It would be a very "no frills" lifestyle however. Slice out taxes and you're looking at a net of something like $18500. Studio apartments in Minneapolis run about $500 (away from the U) so that's 18500-6000=$12500 to live on. Just over $1000 a month. Figure about $150 a month in utilities (phone, electric, internet, possibly heat & water though most apartments include those in the rent) If you cook your own meals and shop carefully, you can probably live on $250 a month in groceries. $60 a month for the transit pass so you can get around. This all assumes no car (and the accompanying auto insurance) and no serious health problems.</p>
<p>Its doable. Luckily, my wife is a nurse and we should have our lifestyle wound down by the Fall 2008 semester I plan to hit grad school. So as long as I can get at least tuition and fees we'll be OK. I've got 30+ years of software engineering experience, so if things get real tight, I'll probably be able to pick up some part time development work as well.</p>
<p>
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the program i'm applying to says ALL PhD students receive funding. is the funding enough typically to cover any living costs?
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</p>
<p>This depends which program. Harvard won't let anybody starve, but UCLA and the like will.</p>
<p>UCLA's biological sciences program offered $25,000 last year (all of the UCs did). Biology is a very spoiled discipline, and biology grad student stipends are rather high compared to other departments. Your tax dollars at work, etc.</p>
<p>I mean, $25k isn't a lot to live on in LA (or SF, or Berkeley), and $28k isn't a lot to live on in Boston, but it's enough.</p>
<p>To clarify, the typical funding situation at top schools in biology is full tuition, fees, full health insurance, and a stipend between $25,000 and $28,000. And that's awarded to every person admitted to the program for the duration of his or her PhD.</p>
<p>I'm in the physical sciences, not life sciences - chemistry to be specific. At UCD all chem grad students are guaranteed 4 years of funding $21,500/year & tuition is paid for (whether you are a resident or not). It's enough to live on, but not lavishly (i.e. that huge lcd flat tv will have to wait)</p>
<p>I know a couple entering bio grad students and they were really concerned with funding because thier mentors only had enough funding for them for two years. Even if the program you are in doesn't give you enough, there are a TON of fellowships and grants out there & you might be able to land one that pays you better. I got a 30k/year 2-year fellowship so I won't have to scrape by with the 21.5. I think as long as you are in the sciences, you shouldn't have to pay for anything, there are too many funding opportunities out there.</p>
<p>I get JUST enough money to live without a job. JUST ENOUGH.</p>
<p>thanks for the detailed replies. and i agree with the poster above, that this is probably a very difficult question to answer.</p>
<p>OK - this is my situation. i'm a Canadian applying to berkeley. the department website states in their FAQs, </p>
<p>"What types of financial assistance are available?
-->All PhD students receive financial support. Students in good standing are generally provided 5 years of support, including tuition/fees and health insurance, and annual attendance at a scientific conference."</p>
<p>elsewhere on the site, it says, </p>
<p>"Nearly all graduate students receive a $21,000 stipend in their first year, plus funds to apply towards their tuition and fees. The majority of students also receive significant financial assistance in their 2nd and 3rd years."</p>
<p>elsewhere, it states estimated costs as:</p>
<p>Resident $8,439.90
Non-Resident $23,400.90 (discrepancy due to non-resident tuition fee)</p>
<p>Now, Molliebatmit wrote: To clarify, the typical funding situation at top schools in biology is full tuition, fees, full health insurance, and a stipend between $25,000 and $28,000. And that's awarded to every person admitted to the program for the duration of his or her PhD.</p>
<p>my question is, is the "STIPEND" listed above (21 000) over and above the estimated costs (tuition)? if it IS, then i think that's not a bad deal. if it isn't, then the stipend isn't enough to cover my tuition, and it doesn't even begin to cover any living expenses. so can anyone tell from the info here which of the two situations i would be in?</p>
<p>How should one look into these grants and fellowships? </p>
<p>A fellowship depends on the school. But can someone apply for grants and have the grants work for any school? I am confused. </p>
<p>I wonder how this stuff works for more humanities based majors? I was figuring on straight loans for grad school. But, this talk of grants and things has me wondering.</p>
<p>
[quote]
UCLA's biological sciences program offered $25,000 last year (all of the UCs did). Biology is a very spoiled discipline, and biology grad student stipends are rather high compared to other departments. Your tax dollars at work, etc. </p>
<p>I mean, $25k isn't a lot to live on in LA (or SF, or Berkeley), and $28k isn't a lot to live on in Boston, but it's enough.
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</p>
<p>It's true that the bio discipline is rather spoiled. I know that PhD students at some other departments at MIT get only 21k or so. </p>
<p>
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This depends which program. Harvard won't let anybody starve, but UCLA and the like will.
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</p>
<p>Oh, I don't know about that. Seems to me that the Harvard aid is not substantially different from the UCLA aid, once cost of living is factored in.</p>
<p>Eric,</p>
<p>Most of my grad student friends at UCLA are pretty well taken care of...</p>
<p>to the OP,</p>
<p>my graduate student research mentor, who is from canada and is in the comparative biochemistry program, is receiving full funding at berkeley. from what i know, he has his tuition covered and the stipend to pay for his living expenses, so i am almost certain that out of state tuition is also waived and is not included in the stipend.</p>
<p>i can't wait to make some money instead of pouring it into my OOS tuition starting next year.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Now, Molliebatmit wrote: To clarify, the typical funding situation at top schools in biology is full tuition, fees, full health insurance, and a stipend between $25,000 and $28,000. And that's awarded to every person admitted to the program for the duration of his or her PhD.</p>
<p>my question is, is the "STIPEND" listed above (21 000) over and above the estimated costs (tuition)? if it IS, then i think that's not a bad deal. if it isn't, then the stipend isn't enough to cover my tuition, and it doesn't even begin to cover any living expenses. so can anyone tell from the info here which of the two situations i would be in?
[/quote]
Yes, the stipend is above and beyond the tuition costs. I get a tuition bill every month with a balance of $0.</p>
<p>Are you applying to MCB at Berkeley, or another program?</p>
<p>merlinjones - assuming you're looking at PhD programs - don't go anywhere you have to pay! </p>
<p>This has been the main financial advice I've been getting from all my professors. And its the reason that I've taken The University of Chicago OFF my list of Classics/Archaeology schools. Although a top tier school, they are also known for their lack of funding. Other top schools (e.g. U Mich, Harvard, etc.) all provide full funding to all admitted students.</p>
<p>At the very least you should be looking at fellowships or grants the first couple years, then TA/RA the next few and wrap up with fellowship/grant your dissertation year.</p>
<p>vision science for me.</p>
<p>i'm just trying to figure out what kind of financial straits i'll be in during my four years of study...</p>
<p>Ah, I see. :) </p>
<p>Well, I agree with WilliamC above -- if you don't get funding, you shouldn't go. You don't make enough money after getting a science PhD to justify taking out massive loans to sustain yourself.</p>
<p>And I would note that expecting to get through a PhD program in four years is often unrealistic.</p>
<p>contradiction in prevailing here
posts makes you hopeful n other fill u with pessimisim</p>
<p>I want to pursue a degree in biochemistry or something related to the molecular biology .. am an international student and really worried about paying to college</p>
<p>what schools offer only Msc programms ?</p>
<p>What does it take to get financial aid in my area ?? :( any help please</p>
<p>Folks, what are the stipends like for humanities and social science programs? I think it's common knowledge that sciences and engineering receive HIGHER stipends than the non-sciences.</p>
<p>:( no answer for me</p>
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Folks, what are the stipends like for humanities and social science programs? I think it's common knowledge that sciences and engineering receive HIGHER stipends than the non-sciences.
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</p>
<p>Exactly! Good gosh darnit! Not everyone in the world studies science and math. </p>
<p>Help those of us with non science or math majors out, darlings. Please!</p>