Financial Aid for Graduate Study

The Department of Computer Science offers numerous graduate assistantships to full-time graduate students. There are three categories of assistantships: Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs), which involve teaching; Graduate Laboratory Assistantships (GLAs), which involve assisting with classes and laboratories; and Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs), which involve research work leading toward an M.S. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation. GRAs are also available through internally and externally funded research projects.

M.S. Student Financial Support

Various types of assistantships at the level of $6,000 (20 hours/week) per calendar year
are available for M.S. students. Preference is given to thesis students. Typically new students are given GLA positions; as they make progress in their degree program, a combination of GLA and GRA positions are awarded. Summer term appointments are limited and are generally awarded to students nearing completion of their degree programs.

M.S. students are also considered for participation in research projects. A number of GRA positions are available at the level of $6,000 to $8,000 (20 hours/week) per calendar year. These positions are highly competitive and may require special skills and background.

M.S. students must re-apply for assistantships every term. Renewal is not automatic and various factors such as performance in assigned duties and availability of funds are used in making decisions.

Ph.D. Student Financial Support

A number of graduate assistantships are available for Ph.D. students at the level of $10,000 to $14,000 (20 hours/week) per calendar year. These assistantships are a combination of GTA and GRA awards and require students to perform teaching as well as research duties. Assistantships are normally awarded during Fall semester and are renewed annually depending on performance, availability of funds, etc.

There are also numerous Graduate Research Assistantships available in research projects at the level of $10,000 to $14,000 (20 hours/week) per calendar year. These positions are highly competitive and may require special skills and background.

Ph.D. students must re-apply for assistantships every year (before April 15, the deadline for considering Fall semester financial aid for current students).

Automatic Waiver of Tuition for Graduate Assistants

All graduate assistantships come with an automatic waiver of tuition fees. This added benefit amounts to over $13,000 per year for out-of-state and international students and to over $3,000 per year for in-state students.

Resident and International Tuition Waivers

A limited number of nonresident fee waivers and international fee waivers are available. Students who are not legal residents of the State of Georgia may apply for a nonresident fee waiver. International students may apply for international fee waivers. Such awards allow students to pay the current Georgia resident rate of tuition, which is substantially less than that for nonresident/international students.

Deadlines for Financial Aid Applications

New applicants: Submit the completed Financial Aid Application with your application package by the following deadlines:

Current students: Submit the completed Financial Aid Application to the department office by the following deadlines: