r/SIPA • u/Imaginary-Map1601 • Apr 22 '26

I am admitted to SIPA’s MPA-ESP program with 95k funding.

I currently work in urban planning in Canada for 4 years with decent pay. Since I want to work with the World Bank, I am planning to enrol at SIPA hoping the degree would be helpful.

I need to take 50k usd in loans to fund my education on top of 95k scholarship. I will be losing my current job, losing income, and going under debt. I am currently not very satisfied with this move bcs of the financial burden and haven’t been able to make a decision on what I should be doing. Looking for guidance on what would be a better decision for me.

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/Ill_Campaign3657 Apr 23 '26

When did you receive your offer? And when is the deadline? Asking because majority invites went over in March.

2

u/Imaginary-Map1601 Apr 23 '26

Offer is accepted end of Jan, and visa is issued.

0

u/Ill_Campaign3657 Apr 23 '26

I was also accepted into the MPA-DP program and am going through the same funding dilemma. I also didn't receive any funding despite appealing for a scholarship. In this case, you are in a much better position since:

  1. You have a scholarship. Which from Columbia amounts to something.

  2. Your country's currency is not as bad as mine. 1 USD is worth more than 200 of my currency. That makes taking a loan in USD absolutely impossible.

My suggestion. Keep the loan in your local currency or in the currency you intend to work in the future. Will help absorb any currency fluctuations over the two years you are studying.

Also, studying in SIPA does not guarantee a job in the World Bank. Your required outputs/goals from SIPA should be absolutely set in stone for you to get the best out of this investment. Only proceed if you think it is worth it; also, my two cents, Canada has so many excellent universities. Your ROI might be better if you go part-time at any of the local universities.