Graduate Assistantships Overview

What is a Graduate Assistantship?

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 their academic program. In recognition of this support, tuition is waived by the University and subsidized health insurance is offered. Graduate Assistants (GAs) are responsible for paying student fees.

Who is Eligible to be a GA?

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

To perform duties with direct instructional responsibilities, graduate students appointed as Teaching Assistants (TAs) must provide proof of English language proficiency. Information on how to provide proof of proficiency can be found on UConn’s English Proficiency Policy for TAs and Testing Procedures Page.

What is the Appointment Length and Hours Per Week?

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). 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.

What Benefits Do GAs Receive?

The Human Resources website provides detailed information about benefits available to GAs, including health insurance. If employed in an assistantship that falls under the Graduate Employee and Postdoc Union (GEU), additional benefits may be described in the GEU contract and on our GA Onboarding page.

Note, GAs solely employed at UConn Health do not fall under the GEU.

Do GAs Receive a Tuition Waiver?

GAs enrolled in tuition-based programs receive a tuition waiver for the duration of their appointment. GAs enrolled in fee-based programs are charged academic program fees, not tuition; therefore, tuition waivers are not applicable, nor will the GA appointment provide a waiver of academic program fees. A list of fee-based programs is provided by the Office of the Bursar. For tuition-based programs, while tuition will be waived, the GA is responsible for paying university fees at the negotiated rate. For fee-based programs, there is no available waiver for any part of the academic program fee, and the GA will be responsible for paying university fees at the negotiated rate. There is no tuition waiver for summer or winter intersession courses. When graduate fee bills are calculated by the Office of the Bursar, the tuition waiver will automatically populate to the eligible GAs’ fee bills, provided that two items are in place: an active payroll authorization input by the hiring department and enrollment in at least six credits for the semester.

What are the Stipend Rates?

Stipend rates for graduate assistants, which can be found on the Payroll Department website, are based on levels that reflect progress toward the advanced degree and experience, defined as follows:

  • Level 1: For graduate assistants with at least the baccalaureate degree (as noted in the Graduate Employee Union contract as “Beginners [Pre-Masters]”).
  • Level 2: For graduate assistants in a doctoral program with at least a master’s degree or its equivalent in the field of graduate study (as noted in the Graduate Employee Union contract as “Masters or Equivalent”). Equivalency consists of 30 credits of appropriate graduate-level coursework beyond the baccalaureate degree, together with admission to a doctoral program. If the master’s degree was used to satisfy the equivalency of a bachelor’s degree for purposes of admission, the degree does not count toward Level 2 eligibility.
  • Level 3: For graduate assistants enrolled in a doctoral program who have passed the doctoral general examination and have the milestone reflected on their record (as noted in the Graduate Employee Union Contract as “PhD Candidate”).

A GA shall be appointed at the highest stipend level for which they are eligible as of the start date of the fall/spring assistantship appointment. Specific stipend rates may be found on the Payroll Department Website and will be included in the GA Offer Letter.

Are GAs Required to Complete Any Additional Trainings?

As part of their employee role, GAs are required to participate in these mandatory trainings. There may be additional trainings or orientations required or recommended depending on the specific GA duties. GAs should consult with their program/department for more details.

What is the Supplemental Description of Duties?

In addition to an offer letter for a graduate assistantship, the hiring department must also provide GAs with a “Supplemental Description of Duties” (SDD) form for each semester they are appointed. This form summarizes the specific duties a GA is expected to perform and may include, amongst other things: the assigned course, lab, research project, or position; the faculty member to whom the GA will report; course meeting times and location; the maximum number of students for which the GA will be responsible per class, section, lab, and more; and the work location. The SSD form must be signed by both the GAs’ supervisor and the GA. The SSD form may be issued separately from the assistantship offer letter.

Can GAs Work Remotely?

GAs are expected to arrive on campus at UConn prior to the start date of their appointment and remain through the duration of their appointment. GAs may be able to work remotely within Connecticut, provided they have written faculty supervisor approval and the faculty supervisor finds that the responsibilities of the position can be completed from the remote location. In very limited instances, an exception to work as a GA while outside of Connecticut may be approved by the Dean of The Graduate School, however, such exceptions are typically limited to instances where the duties of the position require the GA to be out-of-state. If circumstances require a GA to leave Connecticut during their appointment, they must make arrangements with their GA supervisor to use time off or request a GA Leave through Human Resources.

Can GAs Hold Additional Employment?

Graduate Assistants seeking on-campus employment or wishing to hold an internship in addition to their full-time (20 hour) GA appointment during the semester must complete the online Supplemental Employment Approval form, which requires their advisor’s approval and is submitted to The Graduate School for final approval.

International students on UConn-sponsored visas are not able to work more than 20 hours per week during the semester.

Job Offer Acceptance Etiquette

When accepting a job offer, feel free to ask clarifying questions. If you feel that you are not being given enough time to make your decision, ask if additional time might be granted. Supervisors are encouraged to give candidates up to a week to accept an offer but sometimes this may not be possible.

If you intend on resigning from your current graduate assistantship to accept a new position, it is strongly recommended that you notify your supervisor of your resignation as soon as possible. This is crucial, as they are likely relying on your participation in teaching courses or labs. Advanced/immediate notice allows them to initiate the hiring process to fill any open positions and ensure that course offerings continue without disruption.

What’s Next?

Prospective applicants can indicate whether they would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship on their graduate school application.

Those who have already accepted an assistantship offer should visit the GA Onboarding Page for additional information, resources, and to-do items specific to your role as a GA to assist with helping you successfully transition into your assistantship.

Transitioning Out of an Assistantship

The GA Transition Guide provides a brief overview of topics that may be of interest to GAs who may not be reappointed in the following semester, including those who may instead be supported on external fellowship funding.

Current GA Opportunities

Are you an academic or non-academic unit that would like to advertise a GA position here? If so, please send your job description to gradschool@uconn.edu to be posted. Additional guidance for non-academic units can be found on our Appointing a GA in a Non-Academic Unit Page.

Career Ecosystem GA

Brief description of the non-academic unit: At the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, our mission is to deliver comprehensive, innovative, and inclusive programs and services for undergraduate and graduate students across all five campuses. By partnering with campus and community stakeholders, the Center expands opportunities that enhance career readiness and integrates career development across all aspects of the student experience at UConn. Recognizing that students seek guidance from many sources including instructors, supervisors, alumni, recruiters, and peers, the Career Center equips UConn faculty and staff with tools to support meaningful career conversations and empower students to pursue post-graduate success.

Central to this work is building a coordinated, university-wide career ecosystem that connects people, programs, and experiences to support students throughout their UConn journey. In collaboration with institutional partners, the Career Center embeds career readiness into curricular, co-curricular, and experiential learning, ensuring equitable access for all students. Guided by the Ecosystem Leadership Council, this approach aligns efforts across campus, creating a cohesive, inclusive, and outcomes-driven strategy that prepares all students for meaningful post-graduate success.

Campus location(s) of non-academic unit: Wilbur Cross Building, Storrs Campus

Graduate Assistant Job Title: Career Ecosystem Graduate Assistant

Position Summary: The Career Ecosystem Graduate Assistant will play a key supporting role in advancing a coordinated, university-wide career ecosystem by assisting career services staff in guiding the mission of the Ecosystem Leadership Council (ELC) and contributing to the development and implementation of ecosystem-related projects. This role focuses on gathering and analyzing academic and non-academic data, supporting strategic initiatives, and facilitating cross-campus collaboration to enhance equitable access to career readiness for all students. The Graduate Assistant will play a key role in translating insights into actionable recommendations and supporting the operational effectiveness of the ELC through communication, coordination, and administrative support.

Duration of the position: Fall 2026 – Spring 2027

Hours: 20 hours per week, over three to five days, Monday – Friday, between 8am – 5pm

Work location: Wilbur Cross Building, Storrs Campus

Name and title of individual providing supervision: Kaitlyn Anderson, Career Readiness Curriculum Designer

Three (3) Primary Career Readiness Competencies Associated with this Role Include:

  1. Teamwork
  2. Critical Thinking
  3. Communication

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Analyze academic and co-curricular data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for student career readiness and engagement.
  • Review and research academic and non-academic programs, student experiences, and institutional initiatives to assess alignment with career ecosystem goals.
  • Develop actionable recommendations to strengthen and better coordinate the university’s career ecosystem.
  • Assist in building reports, dashboards, and presentations that communicate findings to various stakeholders.
  • Support the development of assessment strategies to measure career readiness outcomes and ecosystem effectiveness.
  • Coordinate logistics for ELC meetings, including scheduling, communications, and virtual/in-person setup.
  • Draft meeting agendas, briefing materials, and supporting documentation.
  • Record and distribute accurate and timely meeting minutes.
  • Track action items, follow-ups, and progress on ELC initiatives.
  • Contribute to special projects and research related to career readiness, workforce trends, and higher education outcomes.
  • Support cross-functional projects related to embedding career readiness across curriculum, advising, and co-curricular experiences.
  • Attend and work at major career center events or presence at university activities, such as career fairs, orientation, open house, and student/staff training.
  • Participate in training, department meetings, strategic planning, and other committees.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to interpret data and synthesize findings to various audiences through reports or presentations.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or similar tools.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with data analysis, assessment, or program evaluation.
  • Familiarity with career readiness frameworks (e.g., NACE competencies) or student success initiatives.
  • Experience working in higher education, student affairs, career services, or a related setting.
  • Experience coordinating meetings, preparing agendas, and documenting discussions.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders across a large organization.
  • Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) or survey tools (e.g., Qualtrics, Slido).

Education and Prior Experience Requirements:

  • Pursuing master’s degree or doctoral degree at the University of Connecticut

Application Steps & Materials

Please submit all application materials by email to Kaitlyn Anderson at Kaitlyn.anderson@uconn.edu with the Subject line: Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 Career Ecosystem GA application

Include the following materials:

  1. Résumé or CV
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Three References

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with final submission deadline for consideration: April 13th, 2026.  Interviews will begin the week of: April 20th, 2026.

Compensation and Benefits Statement

Compensation & Benefits: Stipend consistent with UConn Graduate Employee Union (GEU) rates and successful candidate’s level of education. Stipend rates can be found here. See the GEU contract for other generous benefits provided, including paid time off, tuition remission, and subsidized health insurance through the Connecticut Partnership Plan.

 

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer.

Questions may be directed to: Kaitlyn Anderson via e-mail: Kaitlyn.Anderson@uconn.edu

FYE Curriculum and Instructor Development Graduate Assistant (GA) – Office of First Year Programs – Fall 2026 (Two Positions)

Brief description of the non-academic unit:

Office of First Year Experience (FYE)

Since 1999, UConn's FYE program has offered courses and services that foster student success, development, transition, and leadership. Through our course offerings, first- and second-year students at the University study and engage in exploration, learning, and research in small 20-seat seminar sections. FYE course offerings are taught by instructors drawn from departments and colleges throughout the university system who are assisted by undergraduate peer mentors and graduate leaders, allowing FYE courses to become collaborative, community-based offerings for active and experiential learning.

 

Campus location(s) of non-academic unit: Rowe Building, Room 235 | 368 Fairfield Way, Storrs CT

Graduate Assistant Job Title: FYE Curriculum and Instructor Development Graduate Assistant (GA)

Position Summary: Reporting to the Assistant Director of FYE (Curriculum and Instructor Development Specialist) the FYE Curriculum and Instructor Development Graduate Assistant will gain experiential knowledge by teaching 3 sections of FYE classes in the Fall 2026 semester. In addition, the GA will support the development of FYE curriculum and instructors by generating lesson plans and assignments and contributing to the weekly FYE newsletter.

 

Duration of the position: Fall 2026 semester

Hours: 10 per week

 

Work location: Rowe 235

Name and title of individual providing supervision: Dr. Michelle Johnson, Assistant Director of FYE (Curriculum and Instructor Development Specialist)

 

Three (3) Primary Career Readiness Competencies Associated with this Role Include:  Career and Self-Development, Communication, Equity and Inclusion

 

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Teach 3 sections of FYE UNIV 1800, including meeting with the class mentor once per week.
  • Develop relevant lesson plans and activities for FYE Instructor use within FYE Competency Area framework.
  • Contribute to weekly FYE newsletter

 

Qualifications

  • Acceptance to an appropriate graduate program at the University of Connecticut. Microsoft Word - Placeholder Grad Stipend Chart AY26-27 Update based on budget.
  • Experience supporting college student success (broadly construed).
  • Active commitment to identity reflection and the work of inclusion and belonging.
  • Demonstrated interest in education, curriculum, and pedagogy.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Experience with public speaking.

 

Application Steps & Materials

Please submit all application materials by email to Dr. Michelle Johnson with the Subject line: FYE GA Application

Include the following materials

  1. Current Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Contact Information for 2 professional references

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with final submission deadline for consideration: April 17th, 2026. Interviews will begin the week of: April 20th, 2026.

 

Compensation and Benefits Statement

Compensation & Benefits: Stipend consistent with UConn Graduate Employee Union (GEU) rates and successful candidate’s level of education. Stipend rates can be found here. See the GEU contract for other generous benefits provided, including paid time off, tuition remission, and subsidized health insurance through the Connecticut Partnership Plan.

 

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer.

 

Questions may be directed to: Dr. Michelle Johnson, michelle.k.johnson@uconn.edu

Leadership & Organizational Development Office – Two Positions, 2026-2028