I’m starting my MSW this fall and debating whether to defer a year to get in state tuition. I recently interviewed for a graduate assistantship that pays about $23/hr for 10 to 20 hours a week plus a tuition waiver, not sure how much yet. Now I’m torn between taking the assistantship or waiting a year for residency. I know it probably depends on how much tuition is covered, but are assistantships actually worth it for MSW students, how different are they from student worker jobs, and is it realistic to bartend on the side with one? Would love any advice.