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Funding situation for PhD and MS in US state Universities with recession and state budget cuts

On my road trip this week, I happen to visit Purdue University. It is a very large university with an awesome campus! The only thing in West Lafayette, Indiana was Purdue University. Because of break, there was not much activity on campus. I ended up visiting student Union, libraries and Math Department. I was inquiring about Funding situation and admission for Math PhD program at Purdue University.   One of the key things they told us was, they were not going to offer as many admissions for PhD this year because of budget cuts. Last year they offered 90 admissions for PhD and 45 of them accepted. This year they plan to offer only 15 admissions. Just imagine the cut from 90 to 15, very bad indeed. The reality is, they explained every PhD student is provided with funding for complete program. They get paid around $16,000 a year. PhD students graduate around 5 to 7 years. Due to recession, many students did not graduate and lot more new students are applying, as they already have the obligation to support the existing PhD students, they cannot offer many admissions. The biggest issue is state has cut funds for the university with recession.

Most of the public or state Universities rely on the state government for funds. I was told with the bad economy everyone is cutting back and most of the state schools are having the same situation.  Check this Newyork times article        State Colleges  Also face Cuts in Ambitions

Few more articles to check  :

Some of the schools are putting a cap on enrollment, some not proving enough funding. Just imagine at Purdue, PhD students are having hard time getting funding, what would the fate of students who will come for MS ?  It is very scary…  Usually the budget for the next academic year decides the amount of funding and research grants available. Things do not change throughout the academic year with respect to funding…

Overall, recession in US leading to budget cuts by state governments has impacted significantly the higher education funding situation in State Universities for programs like MS and PhD. Do not keep your hopes high that you might get funding next semester, just be realistic. Just imagine, if seniors are not graduating on time due to recession, you will not get their TAs, RAs and GAs. Plan your finances carefully and be realistic when you apply for US schools for MS or PhD.  Thought I would share my recent experience visiting Purdue University in Indiana.

Purdue University campus model with buildings and their info at their Union

Purdue University map

Purdue Bell Tower

Purdue Tower

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9 Comments

  1. Hi. I have done M.Pharma with Pharmaceutical Chemistry from Banasthali Vidyapith University. Now want to do PhD in Pharmacy. Please suggest me good universities offering PhD degree.

    Reply
  2. hi friend i need to do Ph.D in electrical engineering from USA.can u please guide me about the things about Ph.D. from there…do all state universities provides scholarships for persuing it or do i need to pay the pay fees from my pocket…can u guide me how to get full fund or scholarship from college for my Ph.d…
    pls

    Reply
  3. hello friends
    i’m thinking about doing Ph.D in finance managmet from USA.can u please guide me about the things about Ph.D. from there…do all state universities provides scholarships for persuing it or do i need to pay the pay fees from my pocket…and also do i need to do research on my own problem or they assign research work that is already going on.and also what r the good universities of doing Ph.D in finance managment specially which getting full fund.
    what can i get fund ?
    i’ll be thankful for ur cooperation.

    Reply
  4. You should start thinking seriously to study in Asia, the University of Hong Kong can provide all you need to do a research, it has good scientists helping to the raise of Asia in many fields.
    By the way, no crisis here like in America.
    Make your decision thinking in the future, not in the past.

    Reply
  5. hi frend..i hve done my m.pharm,,pharmaceutics,,im plannin to go for phd..in u.s..could any one suggest me a university that provides full funding..plz dudes help me

    Reply
  6. hello friends
    i’m thinking about doing Ph.D in law(cyber law) from USA.can u please guide me about the things about Ph.D. from there…do all state universities provides scholarships for persuing it or do i need to pay the pay fees from my pocket…and also do i need to do research on my own problem or they assign research work that is already going on.and also what r the good universities of doing Ph.D in law specially cyber law.and whats the best way to secure admission in a good university.
    i’ll be thankful for ur cooperation.

    Reply
    • Gaurav,

      1)do all state universities provides scholarships for persuing it or do i need to pay the pay fees from my pocket…
      Most of the schools provide full funding(they will pay fee and give you stipend for expenses) for PhD. But, some schools do offer admission without funding…but, in general, most of the people only pursue PhD if they have full funding…

      2) also do i need to do research on my own problem or they assign research work that is already going on.
      You will be assigned a team of professors to be your guide and mentors. It is your choice, you can either pick your own interest or consider continuing research of professor…

      3) also what r the good universities of doing Ph.D in law specially cyber law.
      I am not up to date with info, you would need to do your own research about schools

      4)whats the best way to secure admission in a good university.
      Get good GRE, TOEL scores…good SOP, communication with professors, good academics, research publications will help you secure an admission.

      Reply

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