Financial aid for graduate school?

[jread]

I don't know why I've assumed all along that financial aid for graduate school is the same as it is for undergrad, but it looks like there are less options. Is this correct? Are there no Federal loans for graduate students or am I just overlooking something? If not, does anyone provide financial aid for graduate students at a reasonable interest rate?

I can't afford to pay my way through grad. school out of pocket... I'm going to need a loan of some kind. It's going to really suck if I can't get financial aid

 

[Reel]

I never heard of financial aid. Try getting an assistantship, grader position, or part time job. I took 9 credits and TA'ed for 20 hours a week. It was quite doable because grad school is really easy. You can not try and get good grades.

 

[aswedc]

Just the opposite. Stafford loans are still available, and the limit is much higher than at the undergraduate level.

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: jread
I don't know why I've assumed all along that financial aid for graduate school is the same as it is for undergrad, but it looks like there are less options. Is this correct? Are there no Federal loans for graduate students or am I just overlooking something? If not, does anyone provide financial aid for graduate students at a reasonable interest rate?

I can't afford to pay my way through grad. school out of pocket... I'm going to need a loan of some kind. It's going to really suck if I can't get financial aid

Funding for grad school now is very very competitive. I started out with intentions for a PhD, no bones from the school or profs and I am financing my education via Direct Loans from the govt.

Fill out you FAFSA ASAP! You can find more info here. I am using these to finance 100% of my grad school.

BTW, make sure you contact FA at your school, try with a lot of profs (if unsucessful, try your teachers after the first year or so - maybe even first semester). Make friends with everyone who might know where there is money available. Unless you are recruited (which I was not), you have to jump through some hoops to even see a penny. (which I probably won't).

 

[jread]

Thanks for the info!

I have been doing the FAFSA thing every semester for my undergrad degree. I didn't know that the limit was even higher for grad school

I won't be able to do any T/A work or research assistance as I'll also be working full time while attending school. Will definitely see if I can "find some money" though

 

[aswedc]

Originally posted by: jread
Thanks for the info!

I have been doing the FAFSA thing every semester for my undergrad degree. I didn't know that the limit was even higher for grad school

I won't be able to do any T/A work or research assistance as I'll also be working full time while attending school. Will definitely see if I can "find some money" though

Unsub Stafford is 18.5k/yr.

 

[DaWhim]

depends on your major. if it is on the science side, it is easier to get a free ride(scholarship/fellowship) or TA/RA/GA to get through. you will probably loan your way.

 

[jread]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
depends on your major. if it is on the science side, it is easier to get a free ride(scholarship/fellowship) or TA/RA/GA to get through. you will probably loan your way.

Major will be Software Engineering so hopefully there's something out there.

 

[shopbruin]

it's either the first 8k or the first 10k is subsidized, then the remaining amount, up to 18,500 is unsubsidized stafford loans.

the remainder of the amount would have to be private loans.

 

[jread]

Ah, sounds good. It's a public university and a 36-hour degree, so it should come out to around 8-9k in the end. My undergrad loans are at a private school so I already have a lot to pay off. I figure I shouldn't go to a private school again for grad school