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Funding

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:20 am
by lordbadri
i have this major doubt for which i am unable to find a concrete answer....i am planning to apply for astronomy PHD in USA and i would like to know that whether all the students getting admitted get a tuition fee waiver + stipend (TA or RA) or only stipend (TA or RA) and no tuition fee waiver and vice-versa?

Re: Funding

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:34 am
by TakeruK
Not all students admitted will get funding for sure, but all the major schools tend to admit students only if they can fund them. In fact, for international students, it's harder to get into some US schools because our tuition costs more so they don't have the money to fund us!

You can check the past profile threads -- most people state whether or not they got a funding offer (and sometimes the amount too!).

For STEM fields, e.g. astronomy, I would say that, unless you are wealthy, only consider schools that offer you a tuition waiver and a decent stipend. Offering funding means they are investing in you. If they admit you without funding, to me, this sends a message that they don't really believe in you / not confident in your ability to succeed.

Re: Funding

Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:32 am
by lordbadri
TakeruK wrote:Not all students admitted will get funding for sure, but all the major schools tend to admit students only if they can fund them. In fact, for international students, it's harder to get into some US schools because our tuition costs more so they don't have the money to fund us!

You can check the past profile threads -- most people state whether or not they got a funding offer (and sometimes the amount too!).

For STEM fields, e.g. astronomy, I would say that, unless you are wealthy, only consider schools that offer you a tuition waiver and a decent stipend. Offering funding means they are investing in you. If they admit you without funding, to me, this sends a message that they don't really believe in you / not confident in your ability to succeed.
Thank you for the reply it will really help me now to select the schools.
Well i am from electronics background and must strengthen my profile so i stand a chance to get the scholarship to pursue my graduation in astronomy :(