Assistantships
One method of financing graduate study is through
a graduate assistantship. Such an award assumes the student is doing
significant work for the university. The student receives a stipend
plus up to eight (8) graduate credits per semester of tuition waiver. Regardless of their
place of residence, graduate assistants pay in-state tuition and
fees. Typical assignments might be teaching introductory classes,
working as lab assistants, working as teachers' assistants, doing
student advising, intern supervision or serving as a research assistant.
Some students may work in administrative offices of the university.
Assistantships may be funded out of the general university budget,
external grants, or work study funds if the student qualifies for work study. The source of funding may affect the student's
loan eligibility so s/he should speak with her/his adviser
about the source of funds. In general, a graduate assistant
is expected to carry eight graduate credits each semester s/he
receives a 20-hour-per-week assistantship. Students seeking need-based
loans from the university's Financial Aid Office may find the total
amount they can borrow reduced by the tuition waiver.
Assistantships may be awarded by the department in which a student
is enrolled or by the office or administrative unit where the work
will be performed. Assistantships generally are awarded on the basis
of previous academic achievement and the faculty's opinion of the
student's ability to meet the responsibilities of the assistantship.
It is assumed that a graduate assistant will devote twenty hours
per week to the position. In some departments a 10 or 15 hour
per week assistantship is more appropriate. It is the student's
responsibility to be clear on what the job expectations are, and
to report to her/his supervisor if working more or less than the
required amount.
Assistantships can be awarded to fully admitted graduate students
only.
Such aid ends when the degree is completed. Although there may be
exceptions, typically a student holds an assistantship for no more
than two years.
To apply for an assistantship, a student must do the following:
- Complete an application to the graduate school, including recommendations
and test scores.
- Complete an application
for assistantship (5 pages / 256kb) sent by the graduate school
and return it to the department/unit offering the assistantship.
- Complete any additional applications or supply additional information
at the request of the department/unit
If I receive a graduate assistantship, will this affect my financial
aid?
Any student receiving a graduate assistantship
is eligible to receive tuition waiver to cover up to eight (8) graduate credits each term of the assistantship. This tuition waiver
will affect financial aid eligibility. The student's need-based
loan eligibility generally is decreased by the same amount as the
tuition waiver. If the student's loan already has been processed
at the time the Financial Aid Office becomes aware of the tuition
assistance, the loan amount may need to be reduced. If an assistantship
is funded through the work study program, the student's loan eligibility
generally is reduced by the full amount of the assistantship plus
the amount of tuition waiver the student will receive. Since
this would mean a large reduction in loan eligibility, students
who are offered a work study assistantship may want to visit with
a financial aid counselor before accepting the assistantship.
Applying
For Financial Aid
Forms - Entrance Loan Counseling
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