Graduate students should remain off-campus with the following exception: Graduate assistants of any type may only be on campus when supervisors determine their presence is absolutely mission-critical, such as those who may need access to teach online courses.

To the extent possible, graduate assistants should be provided with responsibilities that can be completed off-campus. For graduate assistants not reporting to campus, we urge supervisors to provide remote working opportunities. Graduate assistants who continue to work will be provided their monthly stipend. Supervisors should contact their graduate assistants to discuss work responsibilities and may be flexible in assigning responsibilities that support faculty or staff in remote work.

We recognize many of you have concerns about accomplishing your research goals, but we must prioritize the health of our community. On-campus, face-to-face data collection with human participants is suspended until further notice. Online data collection can continue. Talk with your committee chair/adviser about alternative data collection strategies. You’re not alone – students around the world are faced with similar challenges. Changes to human subject procedures (for example, data collection plans) must be approved by Georgia State’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to implementation of these new procedures. The Research Office, including the IRB, remains open.

Most of the library’s resources, including consultations with librarians, can be accessed virtually. The available services are detailed at library.gsu.edu.

Please visit https://www.gsu.edu/coronavirus/student-information/ and https://www.gsu.edu/coronavirus/researchers/ for updates.

Rely on social support through virtual strategies, try to maintain a routine that includes rest, healthy meals, and exercise, and be patient with yourselves and others. Should you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, all students have access to free and confidential assistance through the Counseling Center. Students can call 404-413-1640 or visit https://counselingcenter.gsu.edu/services/counseling-services/.

For those approaching a thesis proposal or defense meeting, communicate with your committee chair or graduate program director about the feasibility of a virtual committee meeting. The university provides Webex access that could support this strategy, assuming departmental or college policies regarding in-person committee meetings can be temporarily waived.

Graduate students may eligible for other funding such as scholarships, fellowships, loans and on-campus employment.

Students generally may hold the equivalent of up to 50% FTE (approximately 20 hours per week on average). With the written approval of the student’s dean, a student (except foreign national students) may be permitted to hold more than a 50% FTE. If a student consistently works at more than 50% FTE (i.e., more than 1,300 hours per year), they could be considered a benefit-eligible employee, and the department could be obligated to pay retroactive benefits.

Yes, graduate assistants are automatically charged for the Student Health Insurance Policy (SHIP) but can use an existing or newly purchased policy to waive out of the SHIP plan.

SHIP resources and forms can be found here.

Yes. When graduate assistants work at another USG institution, a Dual Appointment Agreement must be in place. Thus, new graduate assistants working at another USG institution must disclose that appointment when completing the graduate assistant hire paperwork. Continuing graduate assistants who initiate employment (e.g., part-time instructor) at another USG institution must contact the Graduate School to initiate the Dual Appointment Agreement. Graduate assistants are advised to consult with their advisor and/or program director regarding the appropriateness of dual appointments, and the total effort across all institutions should not exceed 100%.

Yes, some graduate assistants are expected to work during breaks from classes, such as during spring break or exam week. Graduate assistants should check with their supervisors regarding these expectations.

Graduate assistants do not earn sick or vacation hours, please consult with your department/college/office concerning their policies.

Yes, graduate assistants are required to maintain a health insurance policy that is compliant with the Affordable Care Act.

Yes, even with a tuition waiver, students must pay all mandatory fees.

Assistantships may come with a full or partial (50%) tuition waiver.

A graduate student may be appointed as a graduate assistant on a semester by semester basis, academic year basis, or on a month-to-month basis (annual). A semester by semester appointment begins on the first day of classes and ends on the last day of exams.

Graduate assistants who are employed on a month-to-month (annual) basis can begin work on any business day during the month. If a student is appointed on any day other than the 1st working day of the month, the monthly stipend amount may be pro-rated.

To be eligible for a full tuition waiver, a student must:

Register for at least 12 credit hours each for fall and spring semesters & 9 credit hours for summer and receive a stipend of at least $2,000 each for fall and spring semesters and $1,000 for summer.

To be eligible for a partial (50%) tuition waiver, a student must:

Register for at least 6 credit hours each for fall and spring semesters & 3 credit hours for summer and receive a stipend of at least $1,000 per fall and/or spring semester and $500 for summer.

To be eligible for a full or partial (50%) tuition waiver, a student must have an appointment total of at least 8 hours per week (20% FTE) and the work must contribute to the university’s mission.

Typically, graduate assistant hours cannot exceed more than 20 hours per week on average. Each semester a student can work no more than 2.5 appointments.

All but $37.50 is covered by a full tuition waiver. Additionally, students receiving tuition waivers must still pay university fees.

The monthly stipend rate is set by the hiring department or unit. Pay rates may vary by student experience, funding source, discipline, and responsibilities specific to the appointment.

Students must be in good academic standing (not on probation) and have the permission of their degree program to hold an assistantship. In addition, they cannot exceed their program’s limitation on the number of hours to be worked. Students must be eligible to work in the United States and cannot exceed any hourly limitations placed on them by a visa. All graduate assistants must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours for fall and spring semesters and 9 credit hours during summer semester.

Assistantships provide graduate and professional students with training and valuable professional experience in higher education work environments. All graduate assistants are classified as exempt from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Exempt work is paid on a salaried basis regardless of the specific number of hours worked in a given week. Graduate assistants perform work at the professional level, utilizing content knowledge that requires at least a bachelor’s degree, and as a result are paid as exempt professionals.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)

Graduate research assistants are graduate students conducting academically significant research under the direction of a faculty member who may be a regular teaching faculty member or a principal investigator on an external grant or contract. Any student accepted into a graduate degree program may be appointed, depending on credentials, such as (1) admission test scores, (2) grade-point averages in previous course work or in the degree program, (3) previous experience, and (4) the nature of the work for which the assistantship is funded.

Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA)

Graduate administrative assistants are graduate students who provide academic and program support. GAA responsibilities are administrative in nature and consist of duties unrelated directly to teaching or research. Any student accepted into a graduate degree program may be appointed as a GAA. 

Graduate Computing Assistant (GCA)

Graduate computing assistants are graduate students who provide computer and technology support for academic units, programs, and labs. Any student accepted into a graduate degree program may be appointed depending on required credentials, such as (1) admission test scores, (2) grade-point averages in previous course work or in the degree program, (3) previous experience, and (4) the nature of the work for which the assistantship is funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Level A (GTAA)

Graduate students holding GTAA appointments may not have a primary responsibility for a course, but may serve as discussion leaders in breakout sections, grade papers, or assist the primary instructor of a course in other ways. GTAAs may also engage in a range of other instructional activities that are not tied to a specific course (e.g. proctoring for multiple courses, tutoring, advising). The dean, department chair, or division director shall determine that the credentials of a student qualify the individual to undertake the work assignment.

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Level B (GTAB)

Students appointed as a GTA Level B must have a baccalaureate degree and be enrolled in a graduate program and will have completed more than 18 hours of graduate course credit in the appropriate discipline. GTABs require approval by the university provost and chief academic officer, as the university president’s designee, prior to assignment as the instructor of record for a course. The dean, department chair or division director shall determine that the credentials of a student qualify the individual to undertake the work assignment. GTABs must be under the general supervision of regular faculty members, and there must be a mentoring process in the department or division to assist them in their teaching activities. Non-native speakers of English appointed as GTABs must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Graduate assistants also include combined roles, such as graduate teaching and research assistants.

Each semester will consist of 4 pay blocks for both the monthly (annual) and the semester by semester graduate assistantships.

Pay Block                         Pay Dates—Last Business Day of

Annual                                     Each month

Fall                                          September, October, November and December

Spring                                      January, February, March and April

Maymester                               May

Summer                                   June and July

Yes, all compensation paid is subject to local, state, and federal taxes.