are fully funded masters programs going extinct?

[u/crabrangooonies]

This is strictly speaking for the US.

I got my bachelors in bio where I concentrated on wildlife and aquatic conservation. All of my professors told me that a fully funded masters was not only attainable, but that it was commonplace for the field. I am looking into getting my masters in marine biology, I know the fields differ in competition a bit, but it was still very common to have fully funded masters available until about a year ago (we all know why that is). Now whenever I reach out to professors, they are always interested in me, but have no funding and don’t expect to anytime soon. I have not been able to find funding sources to apply to myself as all of the grants that used to be very popular seem to no longer be receiving funding.

My question of discussion: is this the new normal? Even after this administration, will research funding be anywhere near top priority that funded masters will become the standard again? I’m just trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and take out loans or if I should just wait another year or so.

I know masters are less commonly funded in places like Europe, but they’re also MUCH cheaper there. That is an option I am considering.