jj2270

Hi All,

So I'm hearing very mixed things about this. I'm curious other people's experiences regarding masters degree funding.

Here's my situation. I'll be graduating in the spring with a bachelors (from a well known school with a strong program) in biomedical engineering and a minor in maths. I managed to keep a 3.8 GPA and get a perfect score on my GRE. I'm lucky enough to have a ton of research experience. I'm looking to get a masters in computer science.

I'm a first generation college student, but I'm not a minority (it seems like there are a lot of options if you are). I really can't afford the degree, so I'm looking all over for any and all funding opportunities that might be useful. Could anyone provide some insight?

polarscribe

It is more difficult to find funding for master's degrees, particularly professionally-oriented programs such as computer science - they're often considered cash cows.

I was able to get one year of my two-year master's program in outdoor recreation funded, but this second year is on my own dime.

jj2270

How did you get the first year funded?

Some of what I've read would actually suggest that there's a bit more funding available for the engineering-type sciences. I really have no idea though.

vader1990

If the MS is thesis-based, then you can apply for fellowships such as NSF.

Alternatively, many employers will full-fund part-time MS programs (such as CS). Maybe look for jobs and ask if they provide funding for part-time graduate study. This would be a good way to get work experience, make money, and also get a free Masters.

Best wishes,
-DV

jj2270

Really? That's awesome! I'm definitely interested in going into a program that requires a thesis. Does this go for all NSF funding? I looked over some of them and noticed that while they mostly don't explicitly say that you need to be in a doctoral program, they do imply it.

Could you provide an example or two of the types of programs you're talking about?

somemom

There are several ways to get some funding for a masters.

Many universities which are terminal masters (No PhD offered) will let master's students teach, both paying them and granting tuition remission

You can try for a resident assistant position which may provide room and/or board

Fill out your FAFSA as soon as it is available (January) and you may receive work study funds and be able to work in your PIs lab, so get paid and do research with your advisor.

jj2270

Thanks for the info somemom. After doing some research on the schools I'm interested in, I learned that many of them don't offer TA and RA positions to masters students. That's not for all of them though, so it's definitely something I'll have to check out after I get some acceptances.

I didn't realize that the FAFSA applied to undergraduates as well as graduates. Thanks!