Departmental Support

Financial assistance is available for graduate teaching assistants (GTA) and for graduate research assistants (GRA).  A GTA handles laboratory sections, grades papers, or performs other assigned instructional duties.  A GRA is compensated to conduct supervised research, which generally relates to the student’s thesis or dissertation research.

A full-time GTA or GRA is equivalent to approximately twenty (20) hours per week of assigned duties during the academic year. Part-time service is compensated in accordance with expected hourly effort. Completion of coursework and other degree requirements requires additional effort beyond compensated hours. Graduate assistants must be degree-seeking students and registered full-time (9 or 10 credits each fall and spring semester, and 2 credits each summer session) during the period of appointment. 

Approximately 50% of all graduate students receive assistantships, which are primarily awarded to thesis MS and PhD (research) students. Graduate assistants are eligible for a tuition reduction that covers 100% of tuition and program fees for campus courses. The general activity fee and other miscellaneous fees as applicable are assessed at the regular rate. Specialty courses such as field camp and remedial courses are not eligible for reduced tuition. For an out of state Master's student, the value of a 20-hour per week assistantship with tuition reduction is at least $25,000 for the academic year. PhD stipends are typically higher. Additional summer support may also be available.

Research students will be considered for assistantship support based on the information provided in the admissions application. No further application materials are required. Financial awards are primarily granted to research students who begin enrollment in the fall. Graduate students wishing to be considered for financial assistance should submit their application and all required admission documents by February 1.

Graduate assistants under state contract are subject to institutional policies set forth in the Faculty/Staff Handbook. The Employee Handbook can be accessed through the SNAP portal. Research assistants are required to sign an “Employee Agreement to Disclose Inventions” form. Teaching assistants are required to sign a “ Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Compliance Sheet”.

Contact your prospective Academic Department to find out what they might offer in terms of assistantships, fellowships, and hourly pay.