Graduate Assistantship Overview

An assistantship is awarded to a graduate student who provides teaching (teaching assistantship: TA) or research (research assistantship: RA) support to the University that is a part of his/her academic program. In recognition of this support, the tuition and a portion of health care (but not fees) are provided by the grant/contract funding agency or through the University.

Effort devoted to the duties of a graduate assistantship typically range between 10 and 20 hours per week (also sometimes called a "half GA" and "full GA" respectively).

Administration of all assistantships occurs through the academic department or unit of employment. Payment is managed by payroll and further information can be found here.

The current list of available assistantships and other employment opportunities can be found here.

GA Definition

An assistantship (teaching assistantship or research assistantship) is awarded to a graduate student who provides teaching or research support to the University that is part of his/her academic program. In recognition of this support, the tuition of the student is provided by the grant/contact funding agency (for research assistants) or the University (for teaching assistants).

Note: all assistantships must be administered through an academic department.

View Official Definition of assistantships, fellowships, and internships (April 4, 2012)

Appointment Dates

Appointments ordinarily are made for the nine-month period, August 23 through May 22, but may be of shorter duration for a variety of reasons.

Eligibility Criteria

To be appointed, to retain an appointment, or to be reappointed, a student must hold Regular (not Provisional) status, must maintain a cumulative average of at least B (3.00) in any course work taken, must be eligible to register (i.e., must not have more than three viable grades of Incomplete on his or her academic record), must be enrolled in a graduate degree program scheduled to extend through the entire period of the appointment or reappointment, and must be a full-time student.

GA Payroll Deduction

Graduate Assistants are eligible to use payroll deduction as a method of paying university charges not covered by their tuition waiver. There is no additional cost for participating in the payroll deduction plan. Instructions on how to enroll in GA Payroll Deduction are available through the Bursar at this page.

Payroll, Benefits, and Health Insurance

The Human Resources web site has an extensive compilation of information on graduate assistant medical benefits, payroll, and policies. Health Insurance benefits can be found here.

Stipend Rates

Stipend rates for graduate assistants are graduated in terms of progress toward the advanced degree and experience.

  • Level B/I: for graduate assistants with at least the baccalaureate.
  • Level M/II: for experienced graduate assistants in a doctoral program with at least the master's degree or its equivalent in the field of graduate study. Equivalency consists of thirty graduate level content course credits of appropriate course work beyond the baccalaureate completed at the University of Connecticut, together with admission to a doctoral program.
  • Level P/III: for students with experience as graduate assistants who have at least the master's degree or its equivalent and who have passed the doctoral general examination.

Supplemental Employment

Graduate Assistants seeking employment beyond their GA appointment must complete the online Supplemental Employment Approval form, which requires their advisor's approval and is submitted to The Graduate School for final approval.