The importance of advanced financial planning for graduate study cannot be over-emphasized. Many well qualified and highly motivated applicants once admitted, begin at this point to do serious thinking about how to finance their graduate education. This is often too late and results in students withdrawing from the program before they even begin, or after the first semester. In some cases, they manage the financial obligation, but at a cost to the quality of their education and training; i.e., constant stress in trying to figure out how to pay for the next tuition assessment, books, transportation to/from school and placement, etc.

Full-time Work and Study
Attempting to work full-time and engage in full-time graduate study for the Ph.D. degree is strongly discouraged. Those who attempt to do so generally experience difficulty in meeting the requirements for academic assignments (course reading, research, and person energy). Moreover, doctoral students who work full-time have longer times to degree completion and are significantly more likely to drop out of programs before completing their degrees. Many students are able to find part-time work to help supplement income form other sources such as student loans, scholarships, fellowships, research or teaching assistantships.

Financial Planning Resources
Information about financial resources available to graduate students is available through the Scholarships and Fellowships Office in the Graduate School. Elements of successful financial planning include advanced planning by one or more years (includes personal savings), identification of available resources, application to all resources for which you are eligible, and seeking early competent advice (OSFA counselors). In addition, prospective students may find information about financial assistance in support of doctoral education in social work on the following websites:

Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work:
http://www.gadephd.org/