A good academic adviser is extremely important and scholarships help offset costs - Graduate Student Penn State Employee Review

With a good academic adviser, you are able to work independently and on topics that excite you with advice and guidance from your adviser. If you get a good adviser, you are able to have a flexible schedule and are not required to show up from 8-5 everyday. Most graduate students will also serve as teaching assistants for various professors. Again, some professors make this an enjoyable experience, others tend to over-use their graduate students.