Build a common coverage table
Convert each offer into the same categories: tuition, mandatory fees, stipend/salary, housing, insurance, travel, research costs and duration.
Calculate the uncovered amount
Estimate realistic remaining cost over the funded period. A larger nominal award can still leave a larger gap.
Match funding duration to degree duration
Identify any unfunded semesters/years and the assumptions needed to bridge them.
Read obligations and renewal rules
Teaching/research duties, academic progress, project milestones and annual reappointment can affect both time and funding continuity.
Compare non-financial academic fit
A financially stronger offer can still be poor if the research/program fit is wrong. Keep financial and academic dimensions visible rather than compressing them into one score.
Verify the final written offer
Use the actual offer/award terms and official institutional communication, not earlier promotional pages, for the final decision.
Turn this into a repeatable research workflow
Apply the same checks to every option in the shortlist. Save the source that supports each important fact, record the review date, and keep unresolved items visible. This is where a structured Scholar workspace becomes more valuable than separate browser tabs and spreadsheets.
Final verification rule
Before a high-stakes action—paying a fee, submitting an application, relying on an award or accepting an offer—recheck the current official source appropriate to that claim. This guide is a research framework, not an admission, funding or immigration guarantee.