Assistantships for Biomedical Sciences PhD Students

General Eligibility Requirements for Graduate Assistantships

All assistantship appointment offers must be approved and extended by the Office of the Dean of The Graduate School. Students receiving assistantships must:

  • Maintain full-time enrollment in an eligible Graduate School Graduate Program. Full-time is defined as 12 credit hours per semester for the Biomedical Sciences PhD programs and 9 credit hours per semester for all other Graduate School programs.
  • Maintain good academic standing.
  • Make satisfactory academic progress.
  • Adhere to all policies and procedures of The Graduate School and Augusta University.
  • Ensure health insurance coverage that meets the requirements of the Board of Regents for the duration of the assistantship.
  • Meet all other specific eligibility requirements and expectations as defined by the program/department.

Policies

Contact Us

Biomedical Sciences Programs

Pavilion III

(706) 721-3278

(706) 721-6829

biomed@augusta.edu

Types of Assistantship for Biomedical Sciences PhD Students

Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) are appointed to perform research activities that are related to the student’s academic program and Augusta University’s research mission.

12-month GRAs receive an annual stipend of $31,000. Upon admission to candidacy, GRAs receive a $1,000 increase to the annual stipend. GRAs pay a reduced tuition rate of $25 per semester (plus all student fees).  As part of the GRA package, students also have a portion to all of their health insurance covered. 

There is no application process for Graduate Research Assistantships. GRAs are appointed to Biomedical Sciences students. 

Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantships (GRA/GTA)

Graduate Research/Teaching Assistantships (GRA/GTA) are assigned responsibility for teaching duties that are related to their academic program under the direct supervision of a faculty member who is credentialed in the teaching discipline. GRA/GTAs are also responsible for maintaining duties in the research lab for the progression of their academic degree.

12-month GRAs receive an annual stipend of $31,000. Upon admission to candidacy, GRA/GTAs receive a $1,000 increase to the annual stipend. GRA/GTAs pay a reduced tuition rate of $25 (plus all student fees). In addition, students have a portion to all of their health insurance covered.

GRA/GTAs are appointed to selected Biomedical Sciences students. 

Council of Graduate Schools - April 15 Resolution

The Graduate School at Augusta University participates in the Council of Graduate Schools’ (CGS) “Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistantships” also known as the “April 15 Resolution.” Participation in the resolution allows admitted graduate students to consider offers of financial support through April 15 for the fall entry term. Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15 for the fall entry term. The full text of the CGS resolution and list of participating member institutions can be found on the CGS website.

Cost of Living

Augusta University is located in Augusta, Georgia, a city within the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA). According to payscale.com, in 2023, Augusta's cost of living is 13% lower than the national average. Numbeo.com summarizes that the monthly costs for a single person living in Augusta in 2023, are $902, excluding rent.

Evans, Ga, a suburb of Augusta, is another city located in the CSRA. In 2022, Evans was voted First Place as the best place to live by money.com.

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The Graduate School

The Graduate School at Augusta University facilitates ground-breaking research and ensures outstanding education. We create an environment that embraces and empowers the next generation of scholars and investigators, supports faculty and staff, and fosters meaningful relationships and collaborations among students across our programs and colleges.

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