My PhD Student Stipend: Monthly Income and Budget | Millennial Money

In this video, we are talking MONEY! I go into the nitty gritty details of my PhD monthly stipend and budget at The Ohio State University. Can you survive on a grad student budget? Well the answer isn't that simple, as not all stipends are the same, but I show you how I'm making it work.
#graduatestudent #gradstudent #phd

[@colleenhanson2688]

This was so helpful, thank you! I’m a PhD student in LA and my stipend is 30k, but unfortunately more than half of that goes to rent because the cost of living is so high.

[@KatherineWeiss]

Oh wow! Next year mine will go down to 19k so that seems really high, but cost of living will always get you!!

[@oyindamolar.teniola1569]

Hey @Colleen, do you mind sharing what your budget is ? Similar predicament

[@nabilkhatib9134]

@@KatherineWeiss why it goes down?

[@KatherineWeiss]

@@nabilkhatib9134 I was on a fellowship my first year, but am just a regular student this year with a grading position as my salary

[@jithinsreekumar8943]

Very well explained,it was really helpful.Thank you for making such informative video. Please do share more of such contents.

[@sharonjeffweiss2537]

I love the dog and the Christmas tree & the fire in the background, You look terrific

[@ThamizhanDaa1]

I am also a PhD student in Atlanta.. nice to hear your story!

[@Jordan-ey9vk]

Just wanted to leave a comment that videos like these are extremely helpful. You're also very well spoken and likeable which made the video easy to watch. Thank you for making it!

[@KatherineWeiss]

Thank you so much for watching and this comment!! I'm glad this has been helpful for people.

[@pooploops]

This was very helpful. I am finishing up undergrad and I want to get into a PhD program (economics). Besides freaking out about getting accepted somewhere, finances are one thing I've been worried about. This sort've eases my mind about financing it and more so about getting in.. ahh!! Thanks for the video!

[@KatherineWeiss]

I'm glad this has eased your mind a bit! Finances always seem so elusive with grad school, so I'm happy to provide some insight!

[@graceding9960]

I love survivor too and have listened to RHAP lol. thanks for making this video!!

[@KatherineWeiss]

Ahh fellow RHAP listener aha I love it!

[@griffingudaitis7804]

Very helpful video!

[@fdoctor79]

Currently, I receive a stipend while in my PhD program; however it is not enough. So I am trying to cut costs in my budget and my family helps here and there. Additionally, I am open to a part-time job (no more than 10-15 hours a week). Continued success with all of your endeavors and Tfs!

[@BrisaMarie]

@Fdoctor how did that all work out? Did you end up finding a job that helped?

[@luisgaytan2816]

Great video! I like the fact that you’re very transparent and open about it! P.S. Given the fact that most phds paused their admission cycle for fall 2021, could you do a video on how to be/what to do to be more competitive when filling out PhD apps. Since I would infer applications will rise for admission in fall of 2022

[@KatherineWeiss]

Thanks, I think it's important to keep academia accessible! Yes I can! Given the application cycle won't start until the fall, I will probably wait a month or two for that when people are thinking a bit more about next steps in preparing for applying.

[@literarymary4933]

I am also a PhD student at Ohio state!! I just stumbled across your video-didn’t realize I was seeing a fellow buckeye 🥰

[@KatherineWeiss]

Ah no way! Hi !! 👋🏼👋🏼

[@larissacury7714]

Thanks for sharing!

[@gabriellanavas9588]

Thanks so much for making a video about about this! Would it be possible for you to talk a bit about the process of paying taxes on your stipend and/or how much it takes out of what you earn?

[@KatherineWeiss]

Hi! I can try and make another video about this but it probably won't be until next year! This year on fellowship our taxes don't get taken out automatically. I have someone help me out with my taxes, and I don't have the information yet about if/how much I will owe. In the fall, I can make a new video about how much is taken out when I am working as a grader each month!

[@gabriellanavas9588]

@@KatherineWeiss Thank you so much!! Best of luck with the last few weeks of your semester ✨

[@dehjahvaughn9396]

Thank you!!!

[@AdityaY.j]

Great dear 💐

[@Qibilii]

Hopefully beginning my doctorate studies this year, having worked for a while, being broke I guess will have to be part of life. 😂

[@KatherineWeiss]

Haha I prefer to think of myself as "frugal" but... yeah prepare for that lol

[@spencerchau2326]

Omg whenever I got assigned to do a large quantity of data entry work during one of my undergrad lab, I just binge listen to Rob Has A Podcast Episode Recaps 😂

[@KatherineWeiss]

Ahh haha I love that!! Currently listening to one right now 😂

[@syedaslam8145]

This is extremely helpful, but I couldn't understand about your debt repayment part, please explain that one

[@katherineelisabeth4387]

11 months late but 100% here for the RHAP love!!! 💖

[@KatherineWeiss]

Haha yes we love RHAP!!

[@funkycrawler619]

Hi, I appreciate this video so much especially since a lot of PhD Study-tubers don't really talk about the Financial Side of programs. This was very helpful! Was wondering if you have any tips and advice for applying for fellowships and looking for schools based on funding? Also, a HUGE Survivor fan here, so even more glad I stumbled on this channel. Survivor rocks (everyone should watch), from a show perspective and an analytical perspective!

[@KatherineWeiss]

Hi, I'm so glad you found this helpful! I know when I was applying it was hard to find anything. Some schools automatically put you up for a fellowship, so there is no application process on your end. I would first look at schools you want to apply to that align with your research, and then compare the funding for each school - a lot of it is public on their websites if you dig around, but you can also email current students to see their experience with funding at that school (which I did). I'd be happy to do a longer video about this though! LOVE that you are a survivor fan!! It is truly my favorite show and I love delving into the mechanics of the game.

[@funkycrawler619]

@@KatherineWeiss Thanks for the advice! I would love to see a video about it too, since no one ever really talks about how to reach out to students and such! Much appreciated!

[@BokandaFrankline]

​@@KatherineWeiss thank you for your videos 🙏, i wish to ask as an international student can i write my own phd project and apply for phd in USA ?

[@KatherineWeiss]

@@BokandaFrankline Hi! Yes you can definitely apply for a PhD as an international student - we have many international students at OSU in PhD programs across the university

[@BokandaFrankline]

@@KatherineWeiss can i write up my own PhD project? And find a suitable supervisor on it

[@PeacewithSha]

It’s amazing but also sad how we learn to work with so little as PhD students…adjusting to finances was a hard thing for me to do especially in SoCal 😩

[@KatherineWeiss]

Oh gosh I can imagine the cost of living is so high!

[@theskepticalwitch6611]

Great video-makes me think I should really start keeping better track of my budget 😅 It’s also interesting to see how funding works at an American university. In Canada, funding tends to be a bit lower for humanities/social sciences, and generally includes a teaching assistantship every year. We’re also obligated to apply for external government funding each year... I’m curious if you’re expected to apply for external scholarships in the States as well?

[@KatherineWeiss]

😅 I wouldn't say I'm the best at tracking my budget, but I think everyone should try! Yes, generally students can/do also apply for external scholarships. I will likely apply in my second and third year. Sometimes if you get external scholarships/funding, you do not have to teach. Also there are some schools that have teaching assistantships every year! It just depends. - others, like my best friend getting her PhD in political science at a private university, are only required to teach for two semesters. So , there is no standard in the US when it comes to funding/responsibilities.

[@sahanbandara3326]

@@KatherineWeiss You Budget looks so scary to me : ( Its so tight

[@KatherineWeiss]

@@sahanbandara3326 it is pretty tight - some schools/departments have larger stipends, but it's certainly not a glamorous life

[@ahmedmoughees]

You are awesome 💕🥰

[@rez3762]

Could you do updates on the books you read this year and maybe reviews? I’d love some new recommendations

[@KatherineWeiss]

Oh that's a great idea! Are you more interested in seeing the academic books I read, or the books I read for personal interest/growth?

[@rez3762]

@@KatherineWeiss I'd be interested in both tbh haha

[@KatherineWeiss]

@@rez3762 Noted!!

[@14nilayghalsasi43]

All the best

[@Jasthephdstudent]

Yes I’m a first year at UMich!!

[@KatherineWeiss]

Wow, this makes us neighbors then!!

[@808kaelintancayo]

Hey Katherine! I just got my admission offer to OSU for a Ph.D. program within Education for Fall '21. I am so glad to have come across your video as I'm sure you've experienced the "okay, what's next? How will I afford/fund this?" thought process when accepting your offer. I was just curious as to when OSU provided you with your Fellowship/Scholarships/Associateships offers? Upon accepting I was just wondering when would one typically be hearing from them so that I can begin to roadmap this journey. Thank you for your amazing insight, and thank you for being so transparent and open about your financial journey with your Ph.D.!

[@KatherineWeiss]

Hi Kaelin, congrats on your acceptance that's awesome!! In my initial email notification of acceptance I was told about the general GTA, but didn't get notified of a scholarship until April 9th. I imagine it is very program specific though, so my best advice is to go ahead and contact the Director of Graduate Studies in your program to ask about funding!! They'll have all the information about when you can expect to hear back on funding :)

[@808kaelintancayo]

@@KatherineWeiss Thank you! I look forward to hearing about funding in the next few months! Good luck with your studies and finishing off your first year of your PhD!!!

[@pravaalyadav9986]

Hello, I must say that it was a really helpful video for all the prospective students. Also, I wanted to ask that aren’t there any tax deductions on the stipend you get? If so, how much is that?

[@KatherineWeiss]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful! I don't think there are any deductions, but I'm not sure. Someone is helping me with my taxes this year and we haven't filed yet.

[@LeftHookGoodNight]

Hello. First of all, thanks for this detailed video. I was wondering can you do the same video for this year specifically since the stipend amount changed a lot. Also, I was wondering about the amount of taxes but it is not included in your calculations. Is there any specific reason for that?

[@KatherineWeiss]

Hi! I am actually planning on doing an updated version tomorrow that will be posted on Sunday! And the reason for not calculating taxes is because I genuinely didn't know what they would they would be. And last year I had to file in two different States, so it was all just a bit up in the air.

[@14nilayghalsasi43]

Hello new subscriber... Really looking forward for more content

[@KatherineWeiss]

Thanks for watching!!

[@dustinkingsbury5554]

Ooof that car payment is rough. I’m a few years late so hopefully you have it paid off now. Your rent is pretty solid though! My first ever rent was $700/mo. I finally bought my first house last year and the payment is $1700/mo 💀 I got dinged for being a risky young buyer because I was 25 upon purchase. Are you able to work a part time job while in the program? That would do wonders

[@KatherineWeiss]

I paid off my car within a year, as I aggressively paid down the loan with any money I had! Oof that is a pricey mortgage ! We theoretically could work part time jobs - I often pick up extra grading jobs within the department (3 semesters in a row) for extra cash, but it can be difficult considering we already have to work 20 h a week when we are not on fellowship. - I filmed this video on fellowship, but the last two years I have just been on a Graduate Teaching Associateship

[@jonathansjourney4977]

This was very helpful! I actually got an admission offer from Ohio State University and they are nominating me for a fellowship and I'm waiting to hear back from the faculty in regards to the results. I applied to 6 places in total and funding is definitely going to play a part in my final decision.

[@KatherineWeiss]

Congrats on your recent offer! I'm glad this could help. Good luck with your decision making!

[@jonathansjourney4977]

@@KatherineWeiss Thanks!

[@sushil386]

Hey Katherine, thanks for this video. I am planning a PHD in Ohio State University. Could you please tell me what will be the monthly insurance cost for spouse and 1 child in Ohio excluding me.

[@KatherineWeiss]

Hi! I'm not sure what that would be as I only have insurance myself, but you could contact a graduate admissions officer at OSU and get that information!

[@moinus4317]

It was informative. Thank you Katherine. I was wondering you hair was wet or it just looks :)

[@contentsavvy3517]

ugh what about not doing Ph.d everything is so expensive and mostly stipend don't cover nothing i had 3 degrees including degree in education ...and thinking if i am financially secure to do Ph.d on my own

[@youtube123r]

In some areas like engineering, you can get a stipend of over 50k at universities like Stanford. The Humanities don't get that much. @Most places there is at least a 25% difference in stipends between a Humanities grad student and a Science one. It is very unfair, but it is the reality of our society.

[@StevExMachina]

Looooool that grocery budget 😭 I spend $100-150 a week

[@KatherineWeiss]

😅😅 I've always been quite frugal with my food and don't eat out much haha

[@madhyamideshmukh7908]

I have a general query.... Are phd students allowed to teach something else other than RA/TA ? for example music or art ? I'm applying to the states for fall 2022 phd and was wondering how to plan for extra income... Thanks for your video.. very helpful.

[@KatherineWeiss]

I suppose it depends on the school, and if you mean in school or on your own time. Generally you would not be able to teach anything on campus for extra income, but you could do some work on the side for yourself if you find yourself needing more money

[@madhyamideshmukh7908]

@@KatherineWeiss thank you so much... This clarifies a lot of my doubts.... I will be applying for 2022. Thanks again

[@yasar_102]

Hello can you comment about the income tax that you had to pay. Thanks

[@atheera349]

Any suggestions for safe neighborhoods near osu for students to rent an apartment?

[@KatherineWeiss]

I can't in good conscious give any recommendations, as I have not been able to explore the city at all outside of my house! But I know many grad students live in the Old North neighborhood.

[@roonieh9619]

Purdue English phd students only get $19k a year! Ugh so lame 😒 good thing I work!

[@schawnettarobinson8584]

I’m a first year optometry student, and I’m looking for housing. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?

[@KatherineWeiss]

I would suggest joining some Facebook pages, or schools usually have housing resources on a webpage with a database of apartments and a search function to find roommates!

[@mayamaickel4597]

Hello katherine you mentioned that you graduated from NYU I am interested in applying for a PhD program in NYU could you provide a personal feedback about it. Thank you for the great detailed content

[@KatherineWeiss]

Hi! Yes I got my MA in French Studies! I don't know as much about PhD programs there, but I'm happy to answer any questions you have

[@mayamaickel4597]

@@KatherineWeiss Thanks a lot you're very kind

[@a.l.dvorak1841]

Katherine, how did you survive on a tight budget of $35 per week in N bleeping Y?

[@KatherineWeiss]

L O L lived mostly on sandwiches for lunch and pasta for dinner. Wasn't the healthiest life style, but I had to make it work!

[@tech-talks-with-ali]

what is your car model?

[@fabihanoushin7097]

I wanted to know can a phd student get both stipend and research assistantship at the same time?

[@livelife2324]

The stipend is given as a "salary" for being a research assistant (or a teaching assistant)

[@KatherineWeiss]

Often you get a stipend for having some sort of graduate position on campus, whether it be a research assistantship, grader, TA, etc.! Sometimes, there are possibilities to take on additional jobs like that outside of your assigned position, though

[@arafatsunny2303]

Yes,sometimes

[@Breonaleonard]

Ugh honestly I just hate this culture of having to struggle/be broke in grad school. I got a part time tutoring job that I’m trying to negotiate with my department to take. It’s so frustrating..the job would literally help me 10000% financially! My graduate stipend is 36K in LA…which is trash when renr ranges from 2-3k+ a month

[@KatherineWeiss]

Ugh that does sound horrible!! Definitely not livable out in LA. It is certainly one of the most negative parts about grad school, but I'm trying to make it work! I hope you are able to get that tutoring job and make it work!

[@Breonaleonard]

@@KatherineWeiss yes it’s ridiculous. And I got the job lol. It’s with a private school associated with my university. They offered me a salary o almost double my stipend. and I only would work 4 hours a week. I’m in negotiation with my department. The problem is the fellowship I’m on. But honestly to hell with the fellowship if I have to😂🤷🏽‍♀️

[@KatherineWeiss]

@@Breonaleonard Oh wow - that is insane! Makes you rethink grad school for sure wow haha

[@aryanshinde3000]

@@Breonaleonard How did it go?

[@sukanyadutta5387]

I recently received a PhD offer in chemistry from Stony Brook University, including a $37,000 Graduate Teaching Assistantship and an additional $4,000 merit-based scholarship, totaling $41,000. Could you provide information on the estimated tax deduction for this income and help me understand the actual amount I can expect to receive after taxes? 😊

[@KatherineWeiss]

unfortunately I do not know tax laws in different places, nor do I really understand taxes- I pay someone to do that! I would suggest finding a tax person who could help out.

[@AdityaY.j]

Can we connect over mail ?

[@LovelyLady1111]

Hey, feel free to reach out to me for credit help. Also, you should have definitely deferred student loans for at least 2 years since you're a grad student!

[@KatherineWeiss]

I don't have any student loans actually!

[@LovelyLady1111]

@@KatherineWeiss that’s awesome!!

[@Lily_faith227]

You're super cool. I'd like to be your friend. Subscribed!

[@evanlewellen9085]

A few things: 1) I am looking into applying at OSU (already live in c-bus) and 2) I LOVE RHAP and all things Survivor. Would love to connect about your experience at OSU!!

[@KatherineWeiss]

Hi Evan! Sorry, I'm just now seeing this. Yay for RHAP and survivor! Happy to answer any questions you have. I think you can find my school email address on the OSU History department website, so feel free to shoot me an email.

[@asha3183]

I have 60 percentage in my graduation but I have 3.5 GPA in my masters is there any chance to do fully funded phd

[@samvenly7269]

Yup Go to Germany

[@asha3183]

I had 4 back log history in my degree and cleared it with 60 percentage but I have good GPA (3.5) is this back log history in degree affect scholarship

[@SwissCheese112]

you never buy a car on financing. and get your own credit card and repay it in full every month, best way to build a good credit

[@KatherineWeiss]

I’m not sure how else you would buy a car… I paid it off in less than a year so it worked out for me.

[@ameyachaudhari5002]

I think as Ph.D. students we should start investing too.

[@KatherineWeiss]

I definitely agree! It's something I'd like to start doing this year!

[@-g.k.4389]

Real estate?

[@tanyasingh8729]

Hey! This was super helpful. I begin my PhD in USA, and wanted to ask if I can ask for a raise in my stipend? Compared to what others in the same program and other receive, mine’s is lesser. Is it possible? If how?

[@KatherineWeiss]

You can always ask and try to negotiate for a bigger scholarship - I did that for my MA program, and attempted to do that and wait around for a better funding package for my PhD! They can always say no, but definitely won't raise it if you don't ask. It can help if you have other offers to negotiate against, but I didn't and was still able to get better funding both times!!

[@tanyasingh8729]

@@KatherineWeiss Hey! Thank you for your response. I am going back and forth whether to ask or not, do not wanna leave the first impression of me being all for money. Should I talk to my PI directly? Or go through the Program Director? I only want them to cover my insurance, and I don’t need anything else after that. I do not have any other offer at this point, and hence the hesitation is all the more high!

[@KatherineWeiss]

@@tanyasingh8729 I would talk to whoever made you the offer - whether that was the Program Director/Director of Graduate Studies, etc.. You could frame it like "I would love to come here and think it would be a great fit, but right now it is tight feasibly with money etc.. would you be willing to cover my insurance?"

[@tanyasingh8729]

@@KatherineWeiss Okay! This sounds good. Actually, I’m directly joining a lab without rotation, so the offer came from the PI directly for a RAship. I think talking to them would make more sense. Thank you for the help!

[@sravansaisravan3854]

you study history, but why didnt you buy laptop cover that had proper map(including new zealand)

[@KatherineWeiss]

Lol I bought it because it looked pretty and was an affordable option for me to buy, not for it's accuracy as a map.

[@DeepakKumar-le3ry]

hi how are you

[@nabilkhatib9134]

Your income is not taxed?

[@KatherineWeiss]

For a fellowship year, no. If you are getting paid a salary from the university in exchange for work (grading, teaching, etc... it will be taxed).

[@quizzlerprofessor]

How much you earn after phd ???

[@KatherineWeiss]

It depends what job market you end up going into (academia vs alt-ac), but i honestly don't have a good idea on averages as it changes considerably based on school, location, etc..

[@autismandndadvocacyassocia9476]

I might cry cause my stipend is going to be 20-30k and i live in nyc so all of it is going to rent lol

[@KatherineWeiss]

Oof that is a tough city to live on a stipend on!

[@mathematicaleconomist4943]

​@@KatherineWeissThat must be the most adorable accountant I have ever seen!

[@ryansmerfy9307]

The LSE offered 1.5 PhD degree to Taiwan President Tsai in 1984, but the LSE hides Tsai’s viva exam professor name and could not find her thesis in LSE LIBRARY, why the LSE do so? It’s really a shame to all British! No one have ever heard there’s 1.5 PhD in the world, only LSE !

[@walterfoster1167]

I hear Harvard pays $42,000 a year in stipend

[@KatherineWeiss]

must be nice!! I'm not sure what they make!

[@ahmedmoughees]

You are beautiful ❤️❤️😍😍💝💖💝🤫😜🤷‍♂️

[@rifatjahan]

You have no idea, how much I wanna date you 😉 Just to know about history.

[@victoroki8698]

There's always that one person in the room 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@spacet1me]

Her hair makes me uncomfortable and I can't really enjoy the video.

[@KatherineWeiss]

Lol sorry, don't watch then