Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships

The university awards, on a competitive merit basis, a number of graduate assistantships for qualified graduate degree-seeking students in most degree areas of graduate study. A Bachelor's degree must be conferred and a successful criminal background check must be completed for all applicants seeking an assistantship. A student with an assistantship cannot hold another position on campus at the same time while on graduate assistantship contract.

Students holding a graduate assistantship must enroll in a minimum of six graduate credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and three graduate credit hours during the summer semester. All enrolled courses must be approved as part of the student's Program of Study.

To maintain full-time graduate student status for financial aid, graduate assistants must enroll in at least nine graduate credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. The minimum enrollment requirement for holding an assistantship does not automatically qualify a student for full-time status.

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are provided tuition waivers based on the chart below. Unless otherwise noted, Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) and Graduate Assistants (GAs) are not provided tuition assistance from the Graduate School, however they are eligible for scholarships from their departments. All students holding a graduate assistantship are eligible for on-campus tuition and fee rates, regardless of citizenship or residency status.

*** Graduate Assistantships will not be counted toward proof of funds but will be listed as additional funds on the I-20 document. Students must be able to provide proof of the required funding regardless of holding an assistantship position. This is in the event that the assistantship is lost or discontinued.

Apply for a Graduate Assistantship

Students interested in applying for a graduate assistantship should contact the academic department or university office where they wish to work to inquire about available opportunities and application procedures. If you need assistance identifying the appropriate contact, please reach out to The Graduate School for guidance.

Background Check Consent Form

• Consent to Background Check
• Summary of Rights

* A criminal background check is required to be completed before a contract for the position can be issued (stipend, tuition assistance, in-state rate). For international students, a Social Security Number is required to be obtained before we can start the background check. Please contact International Student Services for the process needed to obtain a Social Security Number.

Documents & Paychecks

Before your hire and contract can be completed you must complete the required forms online and present required identification documents to the Student Employment Office. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has a complete list of acceptable documents. The most common documents for students to present include the following:

• Social Security Card or State-Issued Birth Certificate; AND
• Photo ID such as Driver's License or Tiger card; OR
• U.S. Passport, when applicable.

Once you are hired, your employee onboarding process will kick off in Workday. This includes submitting your direct deposit information for payroll.

Mandatory Requirements for all Graduate Assistants

Each year, all Graduate Assistants are required to attend orientation, which is held the Friday before classes begin in the Fall semester. All on-campus Graduate Assistants must attend this orientation in accordance with their position. In addition to attending orientation, all Graduate Assistants are required to complete Sexual Harassment/Title IX training during the first semester/term of employment. Even as a returning Graduate Assistant, these conditions are mandatory. Notifications and updates will be sent to students via blackboard.