Graduate Instructorships & Assistantships

Many of our graduate programs offer graduate assistantship opportunities. Through graduate assistantships, students work in a part-time capacity for the University and the stipend goes toward tuition. Check with the director of your program of interest to see if you are eligible. 

If you indicated interest in financial aid on your application, you will be considered for any available funds when reviewed for admission by faculty. There is no separate application form to be considered for institutional aid. This is a highly competitive process with preference for institutional funds going to PhD students. Awards are made after March 15 for the fall semester and after Oct. 15 for the spring semester. The University will notify students who receive institutional funds in the form of stipends and/or tuition scholarships.

If you are a full-time doctoral student in select PhD programs, you may be eligible for a Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI) position. These positions are designed to fund highly qualified students who can assist in teaching related activities. As a GSI, you will be expected to provide 17 hours per week of service to the University, as an instructor, and perform other duties as needed, such as proctoring. 

Your teaching duties will be assigned by your Program Director or Department Chair, and you will be required to participate in training sessions sponsored by the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety, the Office of Graduate Administration & Policy, and/or your department.

GSIs are awarded a stipend and a tuition scholarship on a semester-to-semester basis, with the typical appointment letter lasting a full academic year. If you're interested in learning more about GSI positions, please contact your program director for more information.

Stipends:

If you are hoping to be a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), it is important to note that the fall semester is the start of the academic year and GSI appointments. GSIs are provided with stipends ranging from $21,500 to $23,500. Moreover, if you are selected as a GSI, you may also receive funding to cover the cost of the student health insurance plan premium. 

The tuition scholarship covers up to 9 credits per fall and spring semester of courses that are directly related to the GSI's graduate program. However, GRAs are responsible for the tuition fees of any courses that exceed the 9 credit maximum or are not directly related to their graduate program.

Please note that students are eligible for GSI funding for a maximum of five years.

Certain departments provide funding opportunities in the form of a Master's Teaching Assistant (MTA) position. MTAs work 15 hours per week to assist in the teaching environment of their academic unit. 

Master's students are paid hourly and receive a tuition scholarship for up to 6 credits each fall and spring semester. 

Please note that students are eligible for MTA funding for a maximum of three years. It is important to know that MTAs are required to participate in all training sessions sponsored by the Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (if applicable), the Office of Graduate Administration & Policy, and/or their academic department.

Full-time graduate students who are receiving a stipend from an extramural grant to conduct research may be appointed as Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs). Depending on the amount of the stipend received relative to the current amount of a teaching stipend, GRAs may be eligible to receive a tuition scholarship. 

The tuition scholarship covers up to six (6) credits per fall and spring semester of courses that are directly related to the GRA's graduate program. However, GRAs are responsible for the tuition fees of any courses that exceed the six (6) credit maximum or are not directly related to their graduate program. For more information about GRA positions, please get in touch with your research advisor or program director.