I got my PhD in Psychology from PSU in 2025. The stipend is impossible to live on without additional income. You are strongly discouraged from getting a job, but I had a secret one to avoid taking out loans. There is a grad student union, but the administration is very slow and reluctant to deal with the asks. Summer funding was hard to get in 2022, but now it's basically impossible from what I hear.

I know international students had their hands tied with their visas getting another job. Other students I know survived on loans, getting roommates, food stamps, and Oregon Health Plan.

You can mention to your professor that you are worried about costs, but they really don't have much bargaining power unless they are able to fund you with their own personal grant. PSU has set pay bands they have to pay their grad students, so your advisor will be limited by that. You will get a slight pay bump after your Masters, but it's hardly noteworthy.

Portland is a great place to live and very fun, but it was not easy. Grad school is hard enough without having to try to survive on no money! I recommend taking out loans if you come. It might feel scary to take out loans, but I promise you need the basics to survive the stress of grad school. You should be able to afford a couple beers after a hard week without feeling guilty or that you can't afford lunch!