Graduate Assistant Tuition Benefits

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Eligibility

  • You must work at least 98 hours during the semester payroll dates to receive tuition benefits.
  • To hold a graduate assistantship, you must be registered for the minimum number of credits.

Note: Eligibility for a non-resident waiver requires you to work at least 195 hours during the semester payroll dates.

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Maximum Tuition Benefits

Maximum tuition benefits for the 2016-17 academic year are based on a 50% appointment during the official semester payroll dates.

Maximum tuition benefit per semester by classification
Classification
Maximum tuition benefit per semester
Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Administrative Fellow, Medical Fellow, Dental Fellow, Veterinary Resident-Graduate Program
$8,120.00
Advanced Masters or PhD Candidate Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, or Administrative Fellow (based on one credit for graduate school rates)
$1,353.34
Legal Project Assistant with Benefits (Law School students only)
$20,588.00

Graduate School Tuition Rates

Advanced Masters/PhD Candidate Classification Series

  • Administrative Fellow: 9532, 9533
  • Graduate Instructor: 9517
  • Research Assistant: 9528, 9529
  • Research Project Assistant: 9527
  • Teaching Assistant: 9518, 9519

Tuition benefits only pay for one graduate school credit. If you register for more than one credit, you will be responsible for tuition over one credit.

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Calculating Benefits

To calculate the tuition benefit you should receive:

  1. Multiply your appointment percentage by two
  2. Multiply this number by the maximum tuition benefit for your classification (see table above)

Calculating Benefits Examples

Calculating Benefits Example Step 1
Appointment percentage
25%
 
x   2
Tuition benefit percentage
50%

 

Calculating Benefits Example Step 2
Maximum tuition benefit
$8,120.00
Tuition benefit percentage
x     50%
Tuition benefit received
$4,060.00

Tuition benefits for Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, Administrative Fellows, Medical Fellows, Dental Fellow classifications (Medical Fellows must work 100% to receive 100% tuition benefit)
Appointment Percentage
Benefit
Tuition
12.5%
25%
$2,030.00
25%
50%
$4,060.00
33%
66%
$5,359.20
50%
100%
$8,120.00

 

Tuition benefits for Advanced Masters and PhD Candidate Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, and Administrative Fellow classifications
Appointment Percentage Benefit Tuition
12.5%
25%
$338.34
25%
50%
$676.67
33%
66%
$893.20
50%
100%
$1,353.34

 

Tuition benefits for Legal Project Assistant with Benefits classifications
Appointment Percentage
Benefit
Tuition
12.5%
25%
$5,147.00
25%
50%
$10,294.00
33%
66%
$13,588.08
50%
100%
$20,588.00

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Flexible Hourly Appointment Benefits

A flexible hourly appointment provides you with a tuition benefit at the start of the semester. Your department will send the GAE office an estimate of the number of hours you will work during the semester.

This type of appointment can be beneficial to you, as long as you work the number of estimated hours or more during the semester. However, if you work less than the estimated hours (even by one hour), or don't work at least 98 hours a semester, you will lose all or part of your tuition benefit. You will also have to repay the unearned portion of tuition benefits you receive. In addition, you could lose your non-resident waiver if you work fewer hours than your department first estimated. If you work more hours, the GAE office will increase the tuition benefit, if applicable.

The GAE office will notify you of expectations, hours of your appointment, and any changes in the hours you worked at the start and end of each semester.

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Prorated Tuition Benefits

Appointments beginning after or ending before the official payroll semester appointment dates: Your tuition benefits will be prorated for appointments of at least 98 hours that begin after or end before the official payroll semester appointment dates. You will be billed for any remaining tuition costs, at non-resident rates if applicable. If you work less than the 98 hours required for eligibility, you will be billed for 100% of the tuition benefit, at non-resident rates if applicable.

Appointments ending due to graduation: If your appointment ends early because you graduate, please contact the Graduate Assistant Employment office.

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Making Sure Your Tuition Is Paid

Your tuition benefit depends on your appointment percentage and the number of registered credits. Tuition benefits do not pay for other charges, such as lab fees, student service fees, installment fees, late charges, or late registration fees, which are assessed by Student Accounts Receivable and charged to your account. You are responsible for paying expenses not covered by your tuition benefit.

Make sure your tuition is paid by the due date. If you don't see your tuition benefits on your billing statement at the beginning of each semester, don't ignore your billing statement. If you do nothing, you may be assessed non-refundable late fees. 

If you get a bill you believe is incorrect, immediately contact the department where you work or Graduate Assistant Services to resolve the problem.

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