PhD/PsyD PhD Funding Questions

[fallen625]

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I am getting close to accepting an offer and I had two questions about funding.

1. Is it okay to negotiate funding? Specifically, one of my options is offering me almost 10k more, and an RA position while another is offering a TA position. Is either the funding amount or the source of funding (RA vs. TA) negotiable or not?
2. I have gotten an offer of funding verbally, but not in writing. Should I request for an offer in writing before accepting?

 

[psychtalk1274]

This is a great question, at my university there isn't much you can do about funding options so while you can ask, they would be unable to increase it.

 

[WisNeuro]

At most universities the funding is a set amount. It may increase once you are on dissertator status, but you cannot negotiate it.

 

[researchgirl]

Agreed w/above points. Also, definitely wait until you have a written offer to accept. It's not official until it is in writing!

 

[Ollie123]

Probably won't lead anywhere, but I do think its worth (politely and carefully) mentioning, assuming you already have a formal offer. I'd just mention that you are very interested in their program, but the funding is making the decision more difficult.

TA/RA funding is often set, but its not unheard of for programs to "find" a fellowship for someone they really want. I wouldn't bank on that happening, but its not completely impossible. Though its also important to keep in mind the relative merits of the program and cost of living in the area. Unless its an extremely under-funded program in a high cost of living area, I'd go with the better program regardless of stipend (though in my experiences, it usually works the other way with better programs typically having better funding - at least relative to COL).

 

[psypsypsy]

At my graduate school (a state university), I know multiple people who actually negotiated for more, although it was a few years ago. However, it wasn't general knowledge and I'd guess most people from my program would say that negotiating is impossible, so it's one of those little known, you'd never know unless you try type of things. I'd be polite, and just state the difference and ask if there's anything that could be done. As long as you're polite and appropriate, it's fine to ask. (as an FYI, I think the extra money came from grant funds or slush funds...the RA/TA stipend itself was not negotiable).

And yes, get it writing!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Agree with all of the above--it's not likely to happen, but politely asking generally can't hurt. And yes, always request an offer in writing.

 

[fallen625]

Thank you everyone! The school that is offering the 10k more is a well known clinical scientist program (ei - a much better ranked program), but I will probably not go there because of personal/family reasons. Also, ware talking about 20k vs. 30k package here in very cheap cities, if it makes any difference.... I would go regardless of the funding, but I thought I would ask. Also, a good portion of this 10k is not stipend money per se - it is travel funds, research expenses, and summer funding (nice to have, but not absolutely essential).

I was going to bring up something along these lines in a phone conversation with the DCT, would this be considered appropriate? "I would love to go to this school, but one thing that I am considering is another offer with a package that is about 10k higher. Are there any additional funding opportunities available to make up for this difference?" What do you guys think? I want to use as much tact as possible.

 

[member978]

In my limited experience, depending on the source of the funding it is often not up to the department to be able to negotiate amounts. Based on that, I would think a conversation asking about opportunities for additional funding (like you said, for travel, research, etc.) might be more fruitful and informative than seeing if negotiation on the offer is possible.

Also, I know it isn't directly getting at what you seem to be interested in (the negotiating aspect), but you might consider asking graduate students you may have access to at that school about cost of living or living expenses. They may be able to indicate if they are able to live comfortably without taking out loans, or may speak to other funding options available for travel or other opportunities. While more money might be better, it may be the case that the 20,000 is more than enough to live happily in the area.

 

[Ollie123]

Oh in that case it is definitely worse asking about - I'm sure not every school will even think to clearly describe things like travel/research funds, etc. I know in my lab the faculty routinely sink at least a couple thousand dollars into each thesis/dissertation between supplies and participant payments, but I don't think that is advertised during interview day.

 

[WisNeuro]

Some things are grad school specific. Grad students could apply for travel funds if they were presenting research. I got maybe a couple thousand this way. Other funds are more lab specific. My advisor helped pay for my dissertation subject recruitment through grant monies. So, I'd ask about department and university funding for things.

 

[bpsydme]

I was in the same situation as an applicant deciding where to go. My first choice offers around 20K while another program offered 30K (in stipend, not counting travel money). I had a phone conversation with my POI at my first choice and told him about my "predicament". They weren't able to match the 30K, which I've heard is probably the highest you can get in a clin psych program, but they did increased my stipend to a more comparable amount. I politely told my POI that his program was my first choice but the large difference in stipend makes the decision difficult for me. I also offered to send my acceptance letter from the other program if they wanted to see it. In the end, it worked out and I accepted an offer at my first choice. Truth was I would've gone there anyways, regardless, but having the tiny extra bit of money helps. I don't know if anyone else in my program negotiated for a higher stipend, and in retrospect, I risked pissing off my POI for doing so. However, I think as long as you're honest with them and doesn't seem like you're trying to low ball them or bargain with them, they'll understand.

 

[fall14]

Building on this discussion, are stipends taxed as income (federal/state)? Perhaps different mechanisms (eg, TA, RA) have different tax implications? I spoke with someone in the University FinAid office who could not answer this question; maybe current students can weigh in! Thanks.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Building on this discussion, are stipends taxed as income (federal/state)? Perhaps different mechanisms (eg, TA, RA) have different tax implications? I spoke with someone in the University FinAid office who could not answer this question; maybe current students can weigh in! Thanks.

In my case yes, it was taxed as income, and I obtained W2's (as well as tuition-related tax documents) from my grad school.

 

[fallen625]

I was in the same situation as an applicant deciding where to go. My first choice offers around 20K while another program offered 30K (in stipend, not counting travel money). I had a phone conversation with my POI at my first choice and told him about my "predicament". They weren't able to match the 30K, which I've heard is probably the highest you can get in a clin psych program, but they did increased my stipend to a more comparable amount. I politely told my POI that his program was my first choice but the large difference in stipend makes the decision difficult for me. I also offered to send my acceptance letter from the other program if they wanted to see it. In the end, it worked out and I accepted an offer at my first choice. Truth was I would've gone there anyways, regardless, but having the tiny extra bit of money helps. I don't know if anyone else in my program negotiated for a higher stipend, and in retrospect, I risked pissing off my POI for doing so. However, I think as long as you're honest with them and doesn't seem like you're trying to low ball them or bargain with them, they'll understand.

Thanks! This is very helpful.

 

[psychologue]

are there any external grants for people in programs with low or partial funding? any way to get a little extra living expenses cash from outside the university monster?

 

[WisNeuro]

Just the cold, hard world of overpaying for education.

 

[futureapppsy2]

are there any external grants for people in programs with low or partial funding? any way to get a little extra living expenses cash from outside the university monster?

Some people manage part-time jobs outside of the university, although some explicitly disallow this as a condition of receiving any funding from the program, so make sure you check.