I'm in my 3rd year of a PhD at UCLA. I already have about $90k in debt from undergrad and my master’s, but I went into the PhD because the $50k/year stipend covered tuition, living expenses, and made it possible.
Now that grant has been blocked by Trump, and I still have about 3 more years left in the program. Without the stipend, I’d have to take out loans just to survive.
Has anyone else been in this situation? Should I just take the loans and hope PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) comes through in the future, or is that digging myself into a hole I can’t climb out of?
3rd-year UCLA PhD, grant blocked, 3 years left — am I screwed?”
byu/dmew6 inStudentLoans
Posted by dmew6
6 Comments
I would pivot to GTA if you can to atleast cover classes and have some money. Or look for another group to join who does have money at your uni.
What majors are your BS and MS in?
What major is your PhD in?
What are your schools for BS and MS?
My brother faced a similar situation at UCLA. He ended up going to the oldest medical school in the world in Switzerland for 4 years to complete his PhD for free.
Get in contact with your graduate school and tell them, they should be able to help you find a paying position on campus like within the graduate school office fkr example, or with the athletic department tutoring, that’s if you’re not helping TA.
Get a TAship
Are you a stem major?