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1. What is an assistantship?
Financial assistance provided to students (usually graduate students) through part-time academic employment. Assistants are paid a small stipend in exchange for tasks they perform for the college or university. Assistantships are financial aid that in essence pay students to pursue their degrees in exchange for 13-20 hours of work. Assistantship recipients, known as TAs or RAs, can expect to receive an annual stipend between $10,000 and $11,000, as well as a tuition waiver where students pay a reduced matriculation fee of only $25 and student fees (currently $730) each semester, in exchange for their hours worked. TAs and RAs at UGA also receive health insurance benefits.
2. Do you offer financial aid/assistantships in your department for first year students?
Yes, all who complete and submit an application for assistantship form will be considered for an assistantship/financial aid.
3. For assistantships, does the amount of the monthly stipend cover the cost of living expenses?
If students live a modest lifestyle, yes.
4. What is the minimum GRE score you require?
There is no set minimum GRE score; however, it is desirable that applicants' scores be within the average of our current students:
| Degree |
Quantitative + Verbal |
| M.S. |
1026 |
| M.S. Non-Thesis |
1042 |
| Ph.D. |
1078 |
5. What is the minimum GPA you require?
The admissions committee looks for GPAs that are within the averages of our current students:
| Degree Average |
Undergraduate GPA |
Average Graduate GPA |
| M.S. |
3.08 out of 4.0 |
n/a |
| M.S. Non-Thesis |
3.26 out of 4.0 |
n/a |
| Ph.D. |
3.14 out of 4.0 |
3.60 out of 4.0 |
6. When is the deadline for application to the Department?
To be considered for financial aid/assistantships, February 1. If not seeking financial aid, default to the Graduate School's deadlines, which are:
Domestic Applicants Deadlines
(not for international applicants) |
| Fall Semester |
July 1 |
| Spring Semester |
November 15 |
| Summer Semester |
May 1 |
7. Is there any other special requirement for application, such as an interview?
You must submit a very detailed statement of purpose that must follow our predetermined guidelines, which are available here on our website. An interview is not required; however, if you are able, we encourage you to visit. You may contact the Nikki Williams, Graduate Coordinator Assistant, at HACEGrad@fcs.uga.edu to schedule a departmental visit.
8a. I am now a Master's candidate in a university; can I apply for a Ph.D. in your department?
Yes, however, you must have attained your Master's degree prior to the beginning of a Ph.D. degree in our department.
8b. I am finishing my bachelor's degree, can I apply for the Ph.D. program in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics?
No, all Ph.D. applicants must have attained their Master's degree prior to applying for the Ph.D. program. Any student who applies for the Ph.D. before attaining their Master's degree will automatically be considered for the M.S. program and not for the Ph.D. program.
9. What's the ratio of domestic students to international students?
We have an excellent mix of students from many nationalities, genders, and races. The ratio changes from year to year as new students join and students graduate. You can get to know a little about our current students by visiting our Meet Our Current Students website.
10. My GRE scores are 4 years old, can they still be used for admission?
Yes, GRE scores are good for 5 years.
11. What kind of jobs do your graduates get after completing their degrees?
Please visit Examples of Positions Graduates Have Obtained since Degree Completion for information about recent graduates' positions.
12. Who makes admissions decisions?
Applications are reviewed by the HACE Graduate Policies Committee, which is made up of four members of the Graduate Faculty, and the Graduate School. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance (GRE scores, GPA) as well as their letters of recommendation and statements of purpose.
International Applicant FAQs
1. What is an assistantship?
Financial assistance provided to students (usually graduate students) through part-time academic employment. Assistants are paid a small stipend in exchange for some tasks they perform for the college or university. Assistantships are financial aid that in essence pay students to pursue their degrees in exchange for 13-20 hours of work. Assistantship recipients, known as TAs or RAs, can expect to receive an annual stipend between $10,000 and $11,000, as well as a tuition waiver where students pay a reduced matriculation fee of only $25 and student fees (currently $730) each semester, in exchange for their hours worked. TAs and RAs at UGA also receive health insurance benefits.
2a. Do you offer financial aid/assistantships in your department for first year international students?
Yes, all international applicants who apply for an assistantship are considered for financial aid/assistantships on an equal basis as domestic applicants.
2b. If yes, what percent of the international students will receive financial support/assistantships for the up-coming academic year?
That is a figure that varies widely and cannot be provided because it is unknown what applicants we will have in the future, nor do we know what our budget will be for the upcoming academic year.
3. For assistantships, does the amount of the monthly stipend cover the cost of living expenses?
If students live a modest lifestyle, yes. However, our assistantships fall short of meeting the set amount required for funding that the Graduate School has determined international students need to study at UGA. International students who receive an assistantship must show support of an additional $1000-2000 USD per semester of study, depending on the number of years they study and the degree they are pursuing.
4. I cannot afford to send my GRE and TOEFL scores via ETS; can I send a copy of the official scores and then provide official scores if accepted?
Only official scores are accepted.
5. What is the minimum TOEFL score you require?
A minimum score of 575 (or 230 for computer-based tests; or 80 on the Internet-based test, with a minimum score of 20 on the Speak section and 20 in the Write section) on the TOEFL is required when English is not the applicant's native language.
6. What is the minimum GRE score you require?
There is no set minimum GRE score; however, it is desirable that applicants' scores be within the average of our current students:
| Degree |
Quantitative + Verbal |
| M.S. |
1070 |
| M.S. Non-Thesis |
1030 |
| Ph.D. |
1030 |
7. What is the minimum GPA you require?
The admissions committee looks for GPAs that are within the averages of our current students:
| Degree Average |
Undergraduate GPA |
Average Graduate GPA |
| M.S. |
3.02 out of 4.0 |
n/a |
| M.S. Non-Thesis |
3.26 out of 4.0 |
n/a |
| Ph.D. |
3.14 out of 4.0 |
3.41 out of 4.0 |
GPA calculations vary widely among international institutions; many do not use a 4.0 scale and must be converted to the 4.0 scale.
8. When is the deadline for application to the Department?
To be considered for financial aid/assistantship, Feb. 1. If not seeking financial aid, default to the Graduate School's deadlines, which are:
International Applicants
(Not for domestic applicants) |
| Fall Semester |
April 15 |
| Spring Semester |
October 15 |
| Summer Semester |
February 15 |
9. Is there any other special requirement for application, such as an interview?
You must submit a very detailed statement of purpose that must follow our predetermined guidelines, which are available here on our website. An interview is not required; however, if you are able, we encourage you to visit. You may contact the Nikki Williams, Graduate Coordinator Assistant, at HACEGrad@fcs.uga.edu to schedule a departmental visit.
10. It is difficult for me to pay for the application fee. Could it be delayed or waived?
No, without this fee your application will not be processed and will not be considered.
11a. I am now a Master's candidate in a university; can I apply for a Ph.D. in your department?
Yes, however, you must have attained your Master's degree prior to the beginning of a Ph.D. degree in our department.
11b. I am finishing my bachelor's degree, can I apply for the Ph.D. program in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics?
No, all Ph.D. applicants must have attained their Master's degree prior to applying for the Ph.D. program. Any student who applies for the Ph.D. before attaining their Master's degree will automatically be considered for the M.S. program and not for the Ph.D. program.
12. What's the ratio of international students to domestic students?
We have an excellent mix of students from many nationalities, genders, and races. The ratio changes from year to year as new students join and students graduate. You can get to know a little about our current students by visiting our Meet Our Current Students website.
13. My TOEFL scores are over 2 years old, can they still be used for admission?
No, TOEFL scores must be less than 2 years old at the time of admission.
14. My GRE scores are 4 years old, can they still be used for admission?
Yes, GRE scores are good for 5 years.
15. What kind of jobs do your graduates get after completing their degrees?
Please visit Examples of Positions Graduates Have Obtained since Degree Completion for information about recent graduates' positions.
16. Who makes admissions decisions?
Applications are reviewed by the HACE Graduate Policies Committee, which is made up of four members of the Graduate Faculty, and the Graduate School. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance (GRE scores, GPA) as well as their letters of recommendation and statements of purpose.
Anne Sweaney , Graduate Coordinator, 706-542-4877, HACEgrad@fcs.uga.edu
Nikki Williams, Graduate Coordinator Assistant, 706-542-4952, HACEgrad@fcs.uga.edu
Mailing Address:
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Housing and Consumer Economics
205 Dawson Hall
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
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