system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
I've heard a lot about fully-funded graduate programs. How can I get in on that?

I should preface this by saying that I am a first-generation college student, so I feel like I am constantly not knowing what to do compared to many other students.  

I just finished up my second year at my local community college, and after the completion of my summer class, I will have graduated with an Associate of Arts degree with honors.  I will be transferring to George Mason University in the fall to pursue a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.S. in Economics with a minor in Mathematics.  I am expecting my undergraduate studies to be complete in three years, though I would still be comfortable with it taking four (putting me in a six-year graduation demographic).

After undergrad, I am planning on enrolling in a PhD program, most likely in Economics.  My current aspiration is to work as a professor in academia or as a policy analyst.

Upon considering grad school, I have heard a lot of people say that many of them are fully-funded and virtually debt-free.  Firstly, how does that even happen?  All my life I've been told that grad school is exceedingly costly.  Secondly, how would I qualify for a sponsorship/endorsement/whatever?  Is it only available at top schools, or do many people claim these benefits?  Is it scarce, or should I be confident in my ability to obtain one?

I apologize if this question is a bit elementary.  Like I said, I am not so knowledgeable about the college process. Regardless, thank you for the insight.
gpt
Just to forewarn you, Economics is a very elitist community and will only take PhD students from top-tier schools with near perfect GPAs.   The areas that pay students are quantitative fields, so make sure you have plenty of math.  You should have a perfect math GPA while taking graduate level math as an undergraduate student.  You also need to conduct undergraduate research with a professor.   This isn't _free_ or _easy_, there is alot of effort and work to get into a fully funded position at a university, esp. one that will land you an academic job.  But in the end, its totally worth it.  Best of luck!