two students taking samples in a conifer forest meadow

Graduate School

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant Policy

This policy can be found in the .

Definitions

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): a duly enrolled graduate student who is appointed by the Graduate School to perform specific instructional duties in an area of their expertise, most often within their home departments, although qualified GTAs may perform teaching duties in other departments if specified in their Graduate Assistant Appointment.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA): a duly enrolled graduate student who is appointed to conduct research under the direction of a faculty member and perform such research duties as described in their Graduate Assistant Appointment.

Funding Graduate Assistants

Minimum Rates

  • Master's level: stipend = $5,700 per semester at a 0.475 FTE (19 hours/week)
  • PhD level: stipend = $8,000 per semester at a 0.475 FTE (19 hours/week)
    • Additional $1,000 per semester paid to the student's account (this payment comes from the Graduate School regardless of the source of funds for the stipend)

GAP Payment

All graduate students on a graduate contract will receive a $200 guaranteed additional payment (GAP payment) per semester. This payment will come from the same source of funds as the stipend. The exact payment mechanism (salary vs student account) hasn’t been determined yet.

Snowy scene of Monte statue

Contract Termination Form

Use when the job is ending because the student has stopped working or attending classes or when the student is switching from one position to another.

Male teacher in front of whiteboard with cultural banner

Contract Change Form

Use to change any information on the original contract. Examples are index for tuition support or wage, or exemption code.

Other Important Information Regarding Graduate Assistants

  • All payments to students for educational purposes (regardless of the source) are reported to the UM Financial Aid Office.

    Processing:

    • All payment request forms such as Graduate School Contracts, Award Summary Sheet, and ORCS Stipend Request Forms should be sent to Financial Aid 15 business days before the first day of class.

      • To ensure timely processing

      • To adjust any financial aid (student loans mainly) PRIOR to disbursement

      • To avoid over-awards resulting in students having to pay back UM for student loans and carrying large balances on student accounts

    • Students who receive federal financial aid (including loans) have the responsibility to report all education resources to the Financial Aid Office and are asked to provide this information prior to accepting any financial aid.

    • We advise all students who receive federal financial aid to consult with the UM Financial Aid Office before accepting payments associated with the cost of education, including but not limited to payments of tuition, fees, books, supplies, travel, and room and board stipends and awards.

    • Work-study is not initially offered to graduate students. Those wishing to receive work study must request it. Students who have a TA or RA contract cannot receive work study while under contract. Exceptions may be made during the summer for students doing work unrelated to their contract. All work study awarded to graduate students is subject to availability of funds and student eligibility.