OK - I am gonna go to Grad School next year - how can I pay for it?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

School of Visual arts (NYC) Master of Fine Arts in Illustration. 2 years - $10,000 a semester.

Any suggestions?
:shrug:

[DebJ]

1. I'll get back to you as soon as I figure out how I'm going to pay

for my last two years of my bachelors.....I'm 49 and have been trying to do this for over a quarter of a century.....

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2. Sell a kidney?

:shrug:

[MrMonk]

3. Better sell both . . .

I worked my way through school, years ago.
I don't see how anyone could do that today without piling up huge debts along the way.

Good luck to you.

[Generic Other]

4. Are there any TA positions or tutoring jobs?

That's how I did it. Oh, and I went to a cheaper school.

I suddenly have renewed understanding of the phrase "starving artist" that's for sure!

[Malikshah]

5. As I tell Grad Students I teach...

Schools do not fund martyrs

Let folks know you need money-- funding/graderships/TA positions etc. Let the administrators your work with, the profs you know-- that you're looking for funding to prove yourself.

Don't whine about it mind you-- just let them know casually-- they'll keep you in mind when things pop up.

Believe me, the faculty and administrators don't sit around thinking of the funding for students (who has it, who doesn't)-- they (i.e. we) need to be reminded of who's looking, who's willing to work, etc.

Best of luck to you.

[Dzimbowicz]

11. Well put...

I was lucky from time to time to land teaching jobs while working on my doctorate. My best sources of part-time employment were the adjunct positions at smaller colleges around the state.

I did have one stroke of luck: my advisor knew some people in the former East Germany (this was in 1993 and lasted for three years) and I was awarded a grant to study there. I received 1000 DM per month and a university-sponsored apartment from the DAAD.

[terrya]

6. If I were rich, my friend.

I'd give it to you. It would be an excellent investment.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

9. Your always so damned sweet!

:hi:

[onebigbadwulf]

7. Loans 40k is nothing. I'm gonna be at 200k.

40k a year for 5 years. Thats NOT including my current debt of 16k.

[Lisa]

8. what was mentioned earlier about teaching./research assistanceships

They generally don't pay a lot, but it can sure be a big help (and many schools are unionized so you don't end up working a whole bunch of extra hours). Other campus service jobs may be available, e.g. at the library or print shop. You might also consider looking into whether co-op positions are available -- I know some people who've paid for their schooling that way.

Doesn't hurt to inquire about scholarships or fellowships, too.

If you already have a background in illustration or design, you might be able to "hire out" to departments such as anthropology, biology, geography, etc. if they haven't gotten staff who can do that. An archaeologist friend had her book publication delayed 2 years because she was having trouble finding an illustrator (and the departmental people had a huge backlog to work through). I matched her up with a high school classmate of mine, and not only was she thrilled with the job that Ken did, but he earned some money for his architecture degree. He's since developed an interest in heritage buildings and still works with her on a regular basis!

[JVS]

10. You've got a perfectly good extra kidney. Fafsa will cover some, not all

Apply for loans.

[Maddy McCall]

12. Student loans.

Most graduates have to take them. It's worth it.

[trof]

13. Rob a bank?

Get George H. W. Bush to adopt you?
No...I've got it.
Take all your cash and buy lottery tickets.
That's it!
;-)