US - where to get loan for Masters degree?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around options for obtaining loans for a master's degree, including inquiries about federal loans and alternatives. Participants explore the implications of pursuing a master's versus a PhD, particularly in relation to funding opportunities such as teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA).

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest contacting the school’s financial aid office for guidance on filling out the FAFSA and applying for federal loans.
  • Alternatives to federal loans, such as private loans from companies like Discover and Sallie Mae, are mentioned, with caution advised against relying solely on private loans.
  • There is a discussion about the potential for obtaining a TA position, with some participants arguing that opportunities may be limited for master's students compared to PhD candidates.
  • Concerns are raised about the financial viability of relying on TA positions, with one participant stating that TA compensation may not cover living expenses.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the likelihood of receiving funding for a master's degree, suggesting that universities may prioritize PhD candidates for funding opportunities.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of understanding the realities of funding and job prospects associated with master's versus PhD programs.
  • There is a contention regarding the relevance of the discussion, with some participants arguing that the focus should remain on loan options rather than the broader implications of degree choices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the availability of funding for master's students compared to PhD students, with no consensus reached on the likelihood of securing TA or RA positions. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best options for loans and funding.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the availability of funding may depend on the specific subject area of the master's program and the policies of individual universities, which are not universally agreed upon.

catsarebad
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hello,

where can i get loan for masters degree. i know some companies like discover give loan for graduate study but I'm curious what better options i have.

is it too late to fill fafsa and apply for federal loan?
 
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catsarebad said:
hello,

where can i get loan for masters degree. i know some companies like discover give loan for graduate study but I'm curious what better options i have.

is it too late to fill fafsa and apply for federal loan?

It's not too late, contact your school financia aid office, and ask them what to do.
the Fafsa should take you a couple of minutes to deal with online.
 
okay thanks. any other decent alternatives?
 
catsarebad said:
okay thanks. any other decent alternatives?

alternatives to federal student loans?
Private ones, like the one Discover, Sallie Mae etc . . . offer.
Only Borrow from Private companies what you can't get from the Government.
 
catsarebad said:
hello,

where can i get loan for masters degree. i know some companies like discover give loan for graduate study but I'm curious what better options i have.

is it too late to fill fafsa and apply for federal loan?

You have given insufficient information for us to help you even more.

For example, what subject area are you intending to pursue your Masters degree in?

This can make a difference, because pursuing a graduate degree in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering might open the possibility of you applying for a TA'ship to that school. In that case, your tuition and fees might be covered, while you also will receive some stipend.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
You have given insufficient information for us to help you even more.

For example, what subject area are you intending to pursue your Masters degree in?

This can make a difference, because pursuing a graduate degree in Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Engineering might open the possibility of you applying for a TA'ship to that school. In that case, your tuition and fees might be covered, while you also will receive some stipend.

Zz.

that rarely happens for a Msc degree, right?
 
Raioneru said:
that rarely happens for a Msc degree, right?

Why?

Any student pursuing a graduate degree has the same chance of receiving a TA'ship. I know of no policy in which M.Sc students are considered less than Ph.D students.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Why?

Any student pursuing a graduate degree has the same chance of receiving a TA'ship. I know of no policy in which M.Sc students are considered less than Ph.D students.

Zz.

yes but as a graduate student you're less likely to get these kind of positions if you only want to pursue a Msc degree. Are you aware there are a whole lot of universities in the US only interested in funding PhD students?
 
Raioneru said:
yes but as a graduate student you're less likely to get these kind of positions if you only want to pursue a Msc degree. Are you aware there are a whole lot of universities in the US only interested in funding PhD students?

Are you aware that many schools award a Masters on the way to a PhD, typically after a candidacy exam is passed?
 
  • #10
Raioneru said:
yes but as a graduate student you're less likely to get these kind of positions if you only want to pursue a Msc degree. Are you aware there are a whole lot of universities in the US only interested in funding PhD students?

Again, I want to see evidence for this.

I'm a faculty member. I know of no policy in place in which the TA award favors someone who is pursuing a PhD more than a M.Sc degree. So no, I am not aware of this non-existent policy.

Zz.
 
  • #11
Are you aware that many schools award a Masters on the way to a PhD, typically after a candidacy exam is passed?

That's great and all but if you want to have a little thing called a job then a PhD is useless. Also, you will ruin your reputation with a university if you are RA funded and decide to take off after a masters. Also, a PhD is risky in the sense that if you do not like what you are doing then you are stuck with it for the next 5 years. A MSc at least allows you to learn more about what you like and it is a 2 year commitment.

Again, I want to see evidence for this.

I'm a faculty member. I know of no policy in place in which the TA award favors someone who is pursuing a PhD more than a M.Sc degree. So no, I am not aware of this non-existent policy.

Zz.

In my school TA funding is based off of GPA, which is fair. However, you will get laughed at if you expect to get an RA on a MSc. Also, do you have any idea how little a TA pays? Not enough to cover rent, food and gas per month. If you want to tell me I'm wrong about this, or suggest a solution, then I suggest you donate me 1600 dollars per semester.

Even if you get a TA, you won't be able to afford to live. My recommendation is apply for a student plus loan. It's what I had to do. https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
 
  • #12
Aero51 said:
That's great and all but if you want to have a little thing called a job then a PhD is useless. Also, you will ruin your reputation with a university if you are RA funded and decide to take off after a masters. Also, a PhD is risky in the sense that if you do not like what you are doing then you are stuck with it for the next 5 years. A MSc at least allows you to learn more about what you like and it is a 2 year commitment.



In my school TA funding is based off of GPA, which is fair. However, you will get laughed at if you expect to get an RA on a MSc. Also, do you have any idea how little a TA pays? Not enough to cover rent, food and gas per month. If you want to tell me I'm wrong about this, or suggest a solution, then I suggest you donate me 1600 dollars per semester.

Even if you get a TA, you won't be able to afford to live. My recommendation is apply for a student plus loan. It's what I had to do. https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action

You have lost all contact with the topic of this thread. It isn't about doing a phd vs masters, it isn't about getting an RA either.

Read carefully and pay attention before jumping in.

Zz.
 
  • #13
where can i get loan for masters degree. i know some companies like discover give loan for graduate study but I'm curious what better options i have.

is it too late to fill fafsa and apply for federal loan?

Even if you get a TA, you won't be able to afford to live. My recommendation is apply for a student plus loan. It's what I had to do. https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action

I think that's pretty on topic. Also, it is important that the OP is aware of the things I mentioned earlier. I don't see how it's not related.
 
  • #14
Aero51 said:
I think that's pretty on topic. Also, it is important that the OP is aware of the things I mentioned earlier. I don't see how it's not related.

Then out of your previous post, only ONE sentence was relevant to the topic, which means the rest can be deleted as off-topic rambling, ya?

Zz.
 
  • #15
I'm not going to turn this into an argument, I'll message you
 
  • #16
all I'm saying is, many schools won't admit you because they would rather have PhD students than people only seeking a Msc degree. I just assumed the same rationale was used when reviewing applications for TA/RA positions.
I also assumed that Funding is not unlimited and Departments would rather focus that money on people who plan on staying longer than others who are only interested in staying short term. I may have gone a bit overboard, but if I were in the OP's position I would get in touch with Msc students at the school of my choice to figure out how hard/easy it was for them to get a TA/RA position if they ever did.
 
  • #17
Raioneru said:
all I'm saying is, many schools won't admit you because they would rather have PhD students than people only seeking a Msc degree.

But this is now a different issue, isn't it? You are now arguing about getting ADMITTED. That is not the topic being asked by the OP. Presumably, if he can't even get admitted, then worrying about paying for it is moot, and he wouldn't be asking where he would get the money! I can also play the speculation game. What if he's applying to a school that ONLY has a M.Sc program for that major as the highest awarded degree? I can point to you many schools here in the US that grant M.Sc degree in physics as being the highest degree awarded!

Do you see now what happens if you start making guesses and addressing something that wasn't asked? Remember the ORIGINAL QUESTION: "where can i get loan for masters degree." It didn't ask for how can I get admission and then pay for it.

Zz.
 
  • #18
yup, it would help to know what programs has the OP been admitted to or is considering applying to.

@catsarebad if you read this.
 

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