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AMENDMENTS

The Emory University bylaws provide that the faculty is responsible for instructional programs under the direction of the President (Instruction, 25). The LGS Dean is responsible for the general direction of the graduate school and exercises leadership in developing educational policies and programs (Instruction 26). In practice, these responsibilities are closely intertwined. Reflecting this connection, LGS operates via a shared governance model. Amendments to the LGS handbook require approval of the LGS Executive Council when they materially alter policies related to (1) the approval of new programs and courses and (2) maintaining, revising, and implementing appropriate discipline standards of quality for admission, instruction, and student research in the LGS. Handbook amendments that merely clarify existing policy do not require Executive Council approval.

Article II: Financial Information

Graduate students might engage with four primary contacts regarding financial information while pursuing their degree.

  1. Emory University Office of Financial Aid Advisors to ensure compliance with federal aid, including loans, and state and university guidelines.

  2. The Program DGS or Program Administrator for program-specific funding questions.

  3. The LGS Student Funding team for all LGS funding sources routed through the schools and a student’s graduate program.

  4. Students who secure external grants may also engage with the Emory Research administration and LGS Finance. The following article provides an overview of multiple funding sources.

Section 1: Graduate Cost of Attendance 

LGS draws on a combination of funding resources to support students in pursuing their graduate degrees. Students enrolled full-time in LGS doctoral programs are eligible for full or partial tuition scholarships. In addition, full-time doctoral students may receive stipends from the university or external sources. The support available for master's students is more limited and varies by program. Some master's programs offer partial tuition scholarships, often on a merit basis. It is best to contact the program to discuss the cost of attendance. 

The cost of attendance is an estimate of the total amount it will cost a student to go to school for an academic period, and it is determined using rules established by law. The cost of attending Emory University includes tuition and student fees, living expenses, health insurance, parking fees, and incidentals, such as purchasing textbooks, computers, and supplies. The Board of Trustees determines all tuition and fees, which are subject to change without notice. Information about tuition and fees can be found on the Tuition and Fees page of the LGS website. 

Section 1.1: Transcript Fee 

All new degree and certificate students must pay a one-time transcript fee of $70 when they first enroll at Emory. This fee is a one-time payment that covers all future transcripts. If students have previously obtained a degree from Emory, they may have already paid this fee. For more information, see the Registrar's website. 

Section 1.2: Mandatory Health Insurance 

All new and continuing degree-seeking Emory university students must have health insurance. Under this requirement, students must purchase the Emory University Student Health Insurance Plan (EUSHIP) or opt out by providing enrollment documentation in a comparable United States-based plan. In addition, new students wishing to waive enrollment in the EUSHIP must complete the annual waiver process. 

If a student has not waived out of the EUSHIP by the date of Emory’s pre-term Student Accounts and Billing bill, the student will be billed for the EUSHIP. For more information, visit the Student Health Services website. 

Section 1.3: Financial Responsibility to the University 

Students are responsible for maintaining good financial standing with the university, including timely tuition payment, emergency loans, and other fees and fines incurred by the libraries or parking office. Penalties for past due accounts include cancellation of registration, refusal to approve continued registration, refusal to release transcripts, and withholding of diplomas. 

For more information, visit the Student Accounts and Billing Office website. 

Section 1.4: Courtesy Scholarships 

The Courtesy Scholarship is a grant that covers tuition exclusively (not textbooks, fees, or other miscellaneous charges). It is made available to qualifying Emory employees and their family members who apply and are admitted for enrollment in academic programs at Emory University. The percentage of tuition covered depends on your years of service. 

Emory employees must contact Human Resources for information about eligibility for Courtesy Scholarships. Courtesy Scholarships do not cover application fees and tuition for audited courses. 

Section 2: Merit Awards and Financial Aid 

Official notification of merit awards is issued by the LGS, although some programs advise students of their award recommendations. Additionally, all offers of financial assistance are made in accordance with the April 15 Resolution adopted by the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). A copy of the April 15 resolution, along with a list of CGS member institutions that support the resolution, is available on the CGS website. 

Section 2.1: Loans and Office of Financial Aid 

For many Emory University students, loans are a crucial means of covering some of their educational expenses. These funds must be repaid. For information on student loans, visit the Graduate Student Loans page. 

Contact the Office of Financial Aid to speak with a financial aid advisor about the cost of attendance and information on federal and private loan programs. 

Section 2.2: LGS Awards 

Tuition Scholarships 

Tuition scholarships may cover partial or complete tuition. These scholarships are for tuition credits only. They are not cash and cannot be converted to another purpose or paid directly to students. 

Doctoral students who make satisfactory academic progress will receive a full tuition waiver for their first 7 years of the PhD program. Doctoral students entering into their eighth year and above may receive partial tuition scholarships. 

Doctoral Student Base Stipends 

Doctoral student base stipends are disbursed monthly on the last business day of the month. Eligibility for stipend support expires when a student graduates, withdraws, is not enrolled, inactive, is dismissed, or otherwise becomes ineligible. Doctoral student base stipends are disbursed over 12 months, from September to August. 

Section 2.3: Electronic Stipend Deposit 

All doctoral students receiving an LGS stipend are required to enroll in Direct Deposit to receive their funds. Several days before funds are deposited into accounts, the university will send an email notification that the deposit is forthcoming. Funds will be deposited on the last business day of the month, not on the day the email notification is sent. 

Section 2.4: Termination or Suspension of Stipend Support 

Eligibility for a stipend ends when a student graduates, withdraws, is not enrolled, is dismissed, or becomes ineligible in any other way according to a university policy. Unused stipends cannot be deferred or reserved. Additionally, stipend support for a student on an approved leave of absence (LOA) will be paused until the student returns from the LOA. 

Section 2.5: Conditions and Eligibility for LGS Funding 

The Ph.D. stipend is intended to support graduate students so that they may devote themselves to full-time study in their programs. LGS also recognizes that various training opportunities align with students’ graduate study programs and provide compensation in addition to the LGS base stipend support. 

Furthermore, LGS recognizes that students may wish to work in an employment capacity unrelated to their program of study and that, in some cases, they can do so while remaining devoted to full-time study. A student who works in either type of employment capacity while in full-time student status may require approval to do so, and there may be consequences for the base stipend support LGS provides. The principles governing the approval of outside employment and the consequences for stipend support are grounded in Emory’s Policy 10.5 on credit hours and standard practices around scholarship in a rigorous academic program. 

Section 2.5.1: Approval of Employment in any Capacity 

Full-time status for LGS students requires enrollment in at least nine credit hours per term, though students commonly enroll in twelve credit hours. Emory Policy 10.5 establishes guidelines for real-time devotion to study for a given number of credit hours. Under the 10.5 policy, a student enrolled in twelve credit hours is expected to devote at least 30 hours per week to learning, typically between classroom contact with faculty and outside-of-class learning. 

A full-time LGS student who receives a stipend may work in an employment capacity for up to 10 hours per week without seeking permission from an advisor, program leader, or the LGS Dean’s office. A full-time LGS student who receives a stipend must seek approval from their DGS and the LGS Dean’s office when they wish to work in an employment capacity for more than 10 hours per week. Graduate students who identify training opportunities aligned with their program of study should consider enrolling in GRAD 705R. For more information, please visit the LGS internship and experiential learning page. 

Section 2.5.2: Outside Employment and Stipend Support 

Students approved to work while maintaining full-time status will receive base stipend support according to the following schedule. 

  1. A student who is approved to work between 11 and 20 hours per week in outside employment will receive the total LGS base stipend rate for the period in which they are employed. 

  2. A student who is approved to work between 21 and 30 hours in outside employment will receive 50% of the base stipend support rate for the period in which they are employed. 

  3. A student approved to work 31 hours or more will not receive LGS base stipend support during their employment period. 

Section 2.6: Tax Liability 

The tax treatment of scholarships, subsidies, fellowships, grants, awards, or stipends may vary for each student. Students should consult the IRS for information about taxes. 

Emory University does not offer personal tax advice. Instead, Emory University recommends seeking professional tax counsel whenever necessary.