Paying for the first year as a unfunded student

[g8433]

I was just accepted to a Counseling Psych PhD program that is not able to provide me with a secure line of funding my first year. I want to mention that this is my only offer, I could not be happier with the area I would be in (close to friends and family) and I am happy with my advisor's area of research. After speaking with professors and current students, years 2-4 sound much more doable in terms of securing funding. I am also interested going the military psych route which would fund years 2-4. This leaves me with financial concerns for year 1. I am in-state and it is a public university, so tuition is not crazy high, and it is in a pretty low CoL city. I am also going to work my butt off this spring and summer to save up as much money as possible to help me that first year.

For students who were not funded their first year, did you work part-time, take out loans, finding some sort of external funding source? I am interested in hearing your experiences and perspectives.

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[Istilldontknow]

I worked part time, had a few assistantships/scholarships (~2k), and took out loans

 

[g8433]

I worked part time, had a few assistantships/scholarships (~2k), and took out loans

How many hours a week did you work? Was it manageable? Also, how did you go about securing the assistantship/scholarships?

 

[Istilldontknow]

How many hours a week did you work? Was it manageable? Also, how did you go about securing the assistantship/scholarships?

I worked about 15 hours a week. The first year it was definitely manageable, but I had to stop during 2nd year when I started practicum. My school offered several scholarships and assistantships.

 

[WisNeuro]

There's always money in the banana stand.

 

[VirginiaIsForLovers]

I worked 20 hours (+/-5 hr/week) throughout my terminal masters and doctorate programs. I thought it was very manageable - granted, I'm very good at cramming, staying up late nights to write papers, and doing things to get by. I only stopped working when I had to go off on internship because that was full-time.

First year was all classes so when not there, I was at my assistantship. When I wasn't doing something for that, I would be able to get in reading, writing, research, etc. My program wasn't research heavy, so maybe that provided me more time other programs won't allow for. When you start externships/practicums I aimed for 2 full days at that site. The other days were classes again, I would just go in to my assistantship before, between, and after class.

Where to look: Ask the director of your program if there are opportunities. Some of my peers did assistantships for our program, at our training clinic for 1st/2nd year students (probably the easiest bet since you're going to spend a ton of time in your academic building anyways). I found one on campus but within a different department, luckily they were super flexible with my schedule (through the schools work study and/or assistantship website). You could also reach out to graduate admissions, they usually have suggestions for where to apply or help you get an interview.

 

[summerbabe]

Where to look: Ask the director of your program if there are opportunities. Some of my peers did assistantships for our program, at our training clinic for 1st/2nd year students (probably the easiest bet since you're going to spend a ton of time in your academic building anyways). I found one on campus but within a different department, luckily they were super flexible with my schedule (through the schools work study and/or assistantship website). You could also reach out to graduate admissions, they usually have suggestions for where to apply or help you get an interview.

This is great advice. During my masters at a state university, my funding (full tuition waiver, 50% grad health insurance contribution, ~$700ish monthly stipend for 20 hrs of work) came from securing an assistantship with an on-campus department. These were open to any fully enrolled grad student.

Also, take a look at the curriculum for your first year. It's likely all coursework and the program may even know the days/times when those classes happen so you can start looking for part-time employment that would fit your schedule and learning style if there aren't options on campus.

 

[YoungFrancis]

I was just accepted to a Counseling Psych PhD program that is not able to provide me with a secure line of funding my first year. I want to mention that this is my only offer, I could not be happier with the area I would be in (close to friends and family) and I am happy with my advisor's area of research. After speaking with professors and current students, years 2-4 sound much more doable in terms of securing funding. I am also interested going the military psych route which would fund years 2-4. This leaves me with financial concerns for year 1. I am in-state and it is a public university, so tuition is not crazy high, and it is in a pretty low CoL city. I am also going to work my butt off this spring and summer to save up as much money as possible to help me that first year.

For students who were not funded their first year, did you work part-time, take out loans, finding some sort of external funding source? I am interested in hearing your experiences and perspectives.

Look into assistantships on campus. Things like being a resident assistant or resident director for undergraduates often come with housing and tuition remission. Apply for it now as these types of assistantships fill up fast.

What are your career goals? If you are at all interested in academia or a research career, you definitely want to go somewhere that will give you a research assistantship your first year. If you are an RA for 20 hours, your research exp is built in. If you are working and don't have a research assistantship, then research is at risk of becoming extraneous. I would ask current students who were unfunded during their first year about the quality of their research experience.

Are you considering turning down the offer? Feel free to pm more details if you don't have your mind made up.

 

[singasongofjoy]

Lots of excellent ideas above. To throw in idea that does not dovetail as nicely with career goals, during my masters program I found a couple of babysitting jobs for infants. Naptime provided a chunk of study time per day (but guaranteed NOT to get anything done the rest of the time). Also came across adds for someone to pick older kids up from school, monitor schoolwork for a few hours which sounded like it might have also offered opportunity for studying on the clock. My mom worked as a "sitter" for an elderly person who needed someone there to assist as needed during the day - and I think they kind of enjoyed her habit of studying out loud / "teaching" as a way to learn the material. It was a really lovely fit.

 

[R. Matey]

What are your career goals? If you are at all interested in academia or a research career, you definitely want to go somewhere that will give you a research assistantship your first year. If you are an RA for 20 hours, your research exp is built in. If you are working and don't have a research assistantship, then research is at risk of becoming extraneous. I would ask current students who were unfunded during their first year about the quality of their research experience.

You may also consider looking for research assistantship outside your department or part-time positions at other institutions.

 

[g8433]

You may also consider looking for research assistantship outside your department or part-time positions at other institutions.

Part-time positions at other institutions is interesting as I have never heard of this option. How common is this?

 

[R. Matey]

Part-time positions at other institutions is interesting as I have never heard of this option. How common is this?

I don't have a statistic to quote, but I knew people who did it in graduate school

 

[espresso_and_puppies]

I was in a similar position and was able to secure funding though a graduate assistantship in a different department at my university! I think most schools offer this option. PM me if you want any specific advice on locating assistantships!