Frequently Asked Questions
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When do I need to arrive in Lubbock?
If you received a TA or GPTI appointment, you need to be in Lubbock by the time the International Teaching Assistant (ITA) workshop starts. For more information about the ITA workshop, please visit the page.
You can also refer to the academic calendar for more details.
When do I get my first pay check?
If you already have a social security number (SSN) and have completed all the required paperwork for employment, you will receive your first pay check on October 1st (for the Fall semester). Therefore, you have to make sure you will have enough money for all your expenses until you receive your first pay check.
How much money do I need until I get my first pay check?
You should bring around $3000: $1200 for tuition, money to cover your for the health insurance, $1000 for rent (including deposits) plus money for food, non-essentials, utilities, etc. Regarding tuition however, you may choose between different payment options: 1) pay in full by August 21 st (if you are registered); 2) payment plan option - $25 administrative fee and you pay 50% by August 21 st and then the remaining 50% is spread out over October and November; 3) Emergency Enrollment Loan - $25 administrative fee. This is not a “loan” per se because you never receive the money, rather this is a “holding” amount that is placed on your account to keep you from being dropped for non-payment.
Will my TA salary cover all my expenses?
Yes. For most of the graduate students here that is the only source of income. The average rent is $300-$400/ month. The tuition is approximately $1200/ semester. You will receive a “waiver” for certain fees and this will also reduce out-of-state tuition to an amount close to the one mentioned above. You will also have to pay for the health insurance: $660/ semester.
Am I required to have health insurance?
International students are required to have health insurance. This will cost $206.63 per month in addition to your tuition. This is NOT covered by the fee waivers. Domestic students are not required to have health insurance but it is available if desired.
What are the first things to do once I get to Lubbock?
Our administrative staff will help you fill out the New Employee Benefits package. Please take care of this as soon as possible. This paperwork must be processed in order for you to be paid.
In order to get a Social Security Number (SSN) you need to obtain a letter of employment from the department and take it to the International Cultural Center (ICC). They will give you an official letter that you must take to the SSN office (together with any other document they may require).
What IS a Master's Degree in Spanish ?
- You will have three graduate classes each semester, all taught in Spanish, and in a seminar format (meaning that the class revolves around the students' discussion of the readings. The professor's role is to lead the discussion and offer some context for it). All readings, papers and exams (including the MA exams) are in Spanish.
- Be ready to work a lot. It is normal that a professor assigns the reading of a whole novel from one week to the next (most classes meet once a week for three hours). Besides exams and shorter assignments, most classes require a final research paper of 10 pages minimum.
- Have some knowledge and interest in literary analysis or applied linguistics. You don't have to be familiar with Spanish literature or linguistics from the start, but should be aware that most classes are based on literary, cultural, or linguistics studies, not language learning.
For more information contact:
Liz Hildebrand
806.742.3145 Ext. 227
liz.hildebrand@ttu.edu