Application Deadline!

It's not too late to get in your application materials before February 1st. This is the deadline to be considered for financial scholarships for the MSI program. Don't forget that applicants can continue to apply to the program after this Friday. See the SI Applying web page for specifics.

If you are worried about a portion of your application, remember that the admissions committee takes a holistic approach to decisions. This means every part of your application will be considered in balance. Applicants will not be discarded only because one portion of the application may be lower that average.

Posted by cassch on January 30, 2008 at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)

Can we say yay to student loans?

I have been getting tons of financial aid related questions lately. I thought I would include some quick thoughts here on the topic.

Michigan is expensive. It's a fact. Especially for us out of staters. Money is of course a factor in the decision making process. One thing to try to compare is not just the dollar number. SI may be more than another school you are considering, but how do those schools compare in the ways of classes offered, faculty, student groups, internship/job possibilities, career services, etc? You have to think of the money you spend on graduate school as an investment (I'm sure you will here this over and over!) You may end up paying more now, but I think the benefits you will get throughout your education and as an alumni will more than make up for the investment you made.

There are also some ways to think about defraying the cost.
1. Student loans- enough said.

2. SI offers a number of half tuition scholarships to incoming students. The first round of offers has already been made. However, SI will continue to make offers throughout the spring. I received in offer in late April and I know someone was notified at the beginning of June. This is not a guarantee but there is still the chance that your cost can be lowered.

3. Search around for scholarships offered by professional or community organizations.

4. Read Mary Ann's blog entry about financial aid. She sums up pretty much everything to think of.

5. Part time jobs/work-study jobs- While these probably don't help out too much with tuition, they are good for general living expenses as well as gaining that practical experience that SI is all about.

6. SI's financial aid page is also extremely helpful and full of useful links.

7. Magically become independently wealthy?

Overall, I would really just encourage you to think of the money as an investment in your future careers and lives, do some comparison work, and decide if SI is the place for you. If you really think it is, dealing with the reality of the money becomes much easier.

Posted by cassch on March 19, 2007 at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)