Stage 4 · Lesson 6 of 7
Funded MS versus funded PhD in the US
In the United States, a PhD offer usually comes with funding. Your tuition is covered and you get a , a regular living allowance, for five or more years. In return you do research or work, called an assistantship.
Masters programmes are different. Most are self-funded and expensive, and only some thesis masters or departments offer assistantships. If you have , you can often apply to a PhD straight after a bachelor degree.
Read each department's funding page. Ask the what fraction of masters students receive funding. Compare the full cost of an unfunded masters honestly with your budget.
Common trapapplying to a masters expecting to get an assistantship after arrival, which many students never find.
A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with
- GuideFreeEducationUSA
US Department of State
Free official guidance on funding US study, including assistantships
Keep handy
Also worth your time
- MastersportalGo deeper
Filter programmes by tuition and find scholarship listings to confirm on the funder's page