The decision to pursue a PhD comes with the understanding that you are foregoing several years of potential income in the short term. However, this does not mean that you should forget about your finances until the completion of your studies. Hence managing finances on a PhD Stipend is inevitable and it is important to manage your money wisely during this time, to ensure that you are not left with a mountain of debt at the end when you embark on your career.
It is possible to live well on a limited income, and it is wise to remain in student mode for a year or two after completing your PhD. However, it is also easy to get into financial difficulty, and the simple avoidance of some common pitfalls can save you a lot of worry later on. This post contains some general advice on managing finances on a PhD stipend.
Understanding PhD Stipends
A stipend is a fixed regular sum of money paid for services or to defray expenses, such as for scholarships, internships, or apprenticeships. Stipends are usually lower than a salary and they are often an amount that is just enough for basic living expenses, such as accommodation, food, and clothing. Many PhD students work in a field related to their PhD, and many have assistantships or other on-campus employment.
An assistantship is a form of financial support in exchange for teaching or research work. It is often very beneficial to PhD students as the work they are doing is related to their field, potentially giving them experience that they can use later in getting an academic or industry job.
PhD stipends are designed to free the student from employment so that they can focus on their studies. This is the reason why most stipends are barely more than a normal wage for an unskilled worker, and that while some professional doctorate programs have higher stipends, most PhD stipends are fixed amounts which are often lower than many people’s actual wage.
Importance of Financial Management
It might seem like a straightforward matter to manage a stipend, but the more diligent you are with your money, the less likely you will be to find yourself short on funds before the next instalment. It can be very stressful not having enough money to pay bills or buy food, and this stress can seriously impact your studies.
Good financial management can also help to identify areas where you might be able to cut back on living costs, thereby leaving you with more time for your studies and less temptation to take up part-time work. This is especially important if you’re studying with the aid of a professional development loan, which must be paid back regardless of whether or not you complete your studies.
One key factor in financial management for research students has to do with the categorization of your stipend. It is no longer possible to get a bursary, and therefore this money is now a salary.
Tips For Managing Finances on a PhD Stipend
Effectively managing finances on a PhD stipend is of utmost importance in the pursuit of a PhD, as it plays a crucial role in preserving financial stability and attaining academic success. Let us delve into crucial tips to assist PhD students in effectively managing finances on a PhD stipend. This will also assist them in managing the financial difficulties linked to their stipends and optimizing their resources.
-
Create a Budget
Most PhD students cringe when they hear the word “budget.” But creating a budget doesn’t mean you can never spend any money. It’s just a way to see where your money is going and allows you to make decisions about how you want to allocate it. You need to know what is coming in and what you need to pay for. To begin, figure out your monthly income. With most stipends the tax is taken out, so if your stipend is $1700, chances are your take-home pay is around $1600.
Next, add up all of your monthly expenses. These may include rent, utilities, car payments, insurance, student loans, food, etc. Some of these “fixed” or “essential” costs may be the same every month. For the variable costs such as food, it may be helpful to keep your receipts over a month to see exactly where your money is going and how much. At the end of the month, see how you did. If your budget is blown, review and see where changes can be made. And don’t forget to make adjustments to the budget as you progress through graduate school and your financial situation changes.
-
Maximize Income Opportunities
Outside your teaching and research assistant responsibilities, you have skills and abilities that can be used to generate additional income. For example, a high level of proficiency in a second language could enable you to do translating or interpreting work. If you have computer skills, there are many short-term projects that you could do to earn money. As well, your writing skills and subject knowledge could make you a good candidate for doing tutorials.
When seeking to maximize your income you should seek work that accommodates your existing responsibilities, pays a reasonable amount for the time spent, and does not continue to occupy your mind when you should be focusing on your academic work.
-
Minimize Expenses
Sometimes it may be the case that not enough money is coming in to make it through the month, especially if the research project requires extensive travelling, conference attendance, or the purchasing of materials. Whatever the reason, if a shortfall exists, then the solution lies in either increasing income or decreasing expenditure.
Generally, it is easier to do the latter. Part of the skill in managing finances comes down to cost savings. Costs can be saved in a wide variety of ways, depending on personal choice. For many, rent will be the largest single expense. If you are used to living alone, then it may be a great shock to find out just how much money is burned on accommodation when renting by yourself.
-
Build an Emergency Fund
Building an emergency fund is another smart financial move in managing finances on a PhD stipend. Determine how much you need to set aside by evaluating your job security and the cost of possible emergencies. Both of these factors are low for a graduate student, so aim higher for a solid emergency fund. We recommend setting a goal of $1000 to start and gradually increase this to at least three months of living expenses.
Place this money in a separate savings account so you’re not tempted to use it for everyday living. Next, avoid taking on any high-interest debt (interest rate over 7%) during graduate school. This includes credit card debt, car loans, and personal loans. If you already have high-interest debt, consider taking out a low-interest (i.e. 3.5%) consolidation loan. Refrain from new borrowing if at all possible and make it a financial priority to pay down high-interest debt during the current low-income years.
-
Long-Term Financial Planning
Long-term financial planning is essential for properly managing money on a PhD stipend, providing a long-term financial strategy to assure stability during doctorate study and beyond. PhD students can enhance their ability to prioritize expenditures, manage resources judiciously, and alleviate financial strain by establishing explicit financial objectives and formulating a strategic plan to attain them
The implementation of long-term financial planning empowers students to proactively anticipate forthcoming expenditures, including but not limited to conference travel, research materials, and the potential transition into postdoctoral positions or academic careers. This proactive approach empowers students to make well-informed choices and establish a robust financial framework for their academic and professional endeavors.
Discover more from Doctorate Guru
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
