Financial Aid in Grad School (a different type of question)

[muzihc]

I have an interesting question.

I know it's unspoken that a rejection of financial aid is considered a "polite rejection" to your entire application, but what if I don't apply for financial aid?

Will that effect me either way? I'm under the impression that schools actually WANT students to receive financial aid in the form of a TA/RA ship; and if I didn't even bother to apply, maybe they'd look less favorably on me. On the other hand, I wonder if some of these places would be happy to just take my money.

I have enough saved that I could afford to go without aid in my first year (I'm planning to go to an in-state school). I'm also planning on getting a masters; not a doctorate.

Please tell me if you know anything about this.

 

[eri]

I don't remember applying for a TA/RA position; I was automatically considered for one. However, that's usually not the case if you're doing a terminal masters - if you're stopping there, you almost always need to pay for it. The programs that offer a PhD usually don't want to accept students for a terminal masters, and the programs that offer a terminal masters usually don't include a TA/RA with that. So you'd expect to have to pay for it yourself anyway.

 

[muzihc]

Thanks, eri.

I tend to catastrophize little things ;\

 

[twofish-quant]

I know it's unspoken that a rejection of financial aid is considered a "polite rejection" to your entire application, but what if I don't apply for financial aid?

I don't think this is the situation. For doctoral programs, the financial aid is included in the package. For terminal masters, most schools don't offer financial aid. Also. most school keep financial aid and admissions separate to various degrees.

There's no reason for the school to be polite. If they don't want you to go, they'll say no.

 

[rezeew]

I cannot provide a definitive answer as financial aid policies and preferences may vary between different graduate schools. However, in general, it is important to note that financial aid is not just a form of assistance for students, but also serves as a way for schools to attract top talent and maintain diversity within their graduate programs.

In many cases, schools do prefer students who are able to secure financial aid, whether through a TA/RA ship or scholarships, as it shows that the student is capable and deserving of funding. Additionally, receiving financial aid can also free up resources for the school to invest in other areas, such as research and facilities.

On the other hand, not applying for financial aid may not necessarily have a negative impact on your application, especially if you have the means to pay for your education without assistance. However, it is important to consider the potential benefits of receiving financial aid, such as gaining valuable experience through a TA/RA position and potentially reducing the overall cost of your education.

Ultimately, my advice would be to carefully weigh your options and consider the potential impact on your application before making a decision on whether or not to apply for financial aid. It may also be helpful to reach out to the graduate school you are applying to and inquire about their specific policies and preferences regarding financial aid. Good luck with your application!