dfh932

Hello,

Maybe I'm just being paranoid (highly likely) but I was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible that the bad economy could somehow negatively affect Ph.D./grad school program funding.

The funding for this fall would be totally secure, right?? There's no chance departments could "lay off" incoming grad students...? (not techincally, but they would lose the ability to provide funding or offer funding for the first year but not be able to in subsequent years..)

And beyond that--grad school funding, assistantships and such are secure, for the most part...?

It seems that if one is IN grad school now, or going there this fall...they would be okay, but that some departments might decrease the number of future RAs and TAs they can offer? Which would not affect current people.

I am only worried b/c of seeing so many friends either get laid off or fear imminent layoffs.

So I was thinking to myself, thankfully I'm going to grad school, where it's safe.

But then I thought.....What if it's not!?

phyz

I doubt it. Where are you going anyway?

dfh932

Well, I'm going to the University of South Carolina.

The only state that is rejecting Obama's stimulus. *sigh*

phyz

Why not ask them? They might be able to tell you a little bit more about whether such a possibility is likely to happen. Or am I being too naive?

dfh932

Yes, I can do this....And once i get into the program I will know much more about how it operates and budgets.

I guess i was wanting someone to say, graduate school is iron-clad, and once you're in--you're covered. Just as a general rule--like higher education would be the last thing to be cut down in the economic downturn.

Or the flip side--that universities/colleges are just as vulnerable as everyone else in an economic crisis,(and those losses could trickle down to the level of funding research assistants & TAs) which will likely get worse before it gets better.

I guess my question is more in a broad sense, about all graduate students at public universities funded by state and federal government.

Maybe there is no hard-and-fast answer.

belevitt

Isn't Georgia also rejecting stimulus funds (at least in part)? At my interviews I actually asked how the faculty predicted the economic recession would affect the program. The only concrete answer I got- it will reduce how nice of a place they book for the annual department retreat and the Christmas party may be less extravagant. I suppose financial stability is a selling point for academia (at least up to the postdoc level).

churchmusicmom

At least one program where my daughter interviewed said they were offering quite a smaller number of positions this year due to the economy. Others acted like it was not big deal and money was not a concern at all. I think I would be more comfortable with a program that seemed to be acting in advance (by admitting fewer students one year) in case things get worse...

If you are already admitted, though, I should think you would be fine.

RacinReaver

It really depends on your department and the research your group is doing. For example the people doing energy storage and generation in my materials department are swimming in money right now, but my group doing more traditional materials research is...well...I've had to steal latex gloves from my friends' labs.

I think your biggest worry once you're in is how much money your advisor has. If they're going broke, expect to TA a lot more than your friends that have more than enough money.

EvoViro

I second RacinReaver. A lot will depend on your specific adviser and the status of their grants. You should also consider applying for funding from outside sources (scholarships, fellowships, etc) to gain some independence from the lab's financial situation. They look good on paper, too.