Quote From PhDhere:
He/She does not have ensured funding at the moment to take you in. Apply somewhere else as you may wait a year and things may not change.
I would reply something like that. " thank you for getting back to me and informing me of the situation.I shall get in touch again next year......."
Maybe my application for the next year reached out at the beginning of this year is too early. So I think I may have the chance.
By the way, do you know the earth science study at University of Montana?