Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Athens, GA
How students pay for the University of Georgia
Sticker price $28,728 a year. After grants, the average student pays $13,636, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $8,715 to $18,564.
- 38%admitted
- 32,137undergraduates
- 89%graduate
- 26%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $32,336 a year versus $11,492 for Georgia residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
26%grant from University of Georgiaavg $6,981
14%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,310
74%state grantavg $9,409
20%federal student loanavg $5,215
Scholarships from University of Georgia
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Georgia Commitment Scholars ProgramVaries
Georgia residents pursuing a first bachelor's degree, with priority for Pell Grant-eligible students; mostly awarded to incoming first-year students and renewable for up to 8 semesters.
- For Georgia. For Generations. Scholarship FundUp to $1,000 a year ($500 a term)
Admitted Georgia residents pursuing a first bachelor's degree who file the FAFSA and qualify for need-based aid; initial awards mostly go to incoming first-year students.
- National Merit Scholarship (UGA)$500 a year
National Merit Finalists who name UGA as their first-choice school with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and enroll full-time.
- College and departmental scholarshipsVaries by department
Current UGA students in a degree program; each college or department sets its own criteria.
Priority FAFSA deadline: December 15 (FAFSA processed by this date for priority on limited need-based funds).
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Georgia
HOPE Scholarship
Covers most tuition at a Georgia public university, paid per credit hour (up to 15 per term)
Who qualifies: Georgia residents with a 3.0 HOPE GPA in high school, who keep a 3.0 college GPA.
How: File the FAFSA or the GSFAPPS application.
Official rules →State grant · Georgia
Zell Miller Scholarship
Full tuition at a Georgia public university
Who qualifies: Georgia residents with a 3.7 high-school GPA and at least 1200 on the SAT, who keep a 3.3 college GPA.
How: File the FAFSA or the GSFAPPS application.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Athens
| Studio | $1,050/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,070/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $615/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 30602. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in Georgia
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 5 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: the federal minimum wage applies to most jobs in Georgia. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$15,623median federal debt≈ $178/month over 10 years
$77,246median earnings10 years after enrolling
89%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Georgia
What scholarships does University of Georgia offer?
Georgia Commitment Scholars Program (Varies); For Georgia. For Generations. Scholarship Fund (Up to $1,000 a year ($500 a term)); National Merit Scholarship (UGA) ($500 a year); College and departmental scholarships (Varies by department). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of Georgia really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $13,636 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $8,715 to $18,564. The full cost of attendance before aid is $28,728.
Does University of Georgia give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 26% of first-year students received a grant from University of Georgia itself, averaging $6,981. 14% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,310).
How much is rent near University of Georgia?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (30602) is $1,070 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,230 for a two-bedroom, about $615 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Georgia?
Yes. The minimum wage in Georgia is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do University of Georgia graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $15,623, about $178 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $77,246.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of Georgia. How these pages work.
More in Georgia: Kennesaw State University · All colleges in Georgia →