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Graduate School

Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant Eligibility Requirements

  • GPA must be above 3.0

  • Enrolled in a degree seeking graduate program

  • Enrolled in 6 or more credits

    • Some departments may require more credits.

    • PhD Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who have advanced to candidacy may petition to take fewer than 6 credits if their advisors attest to their progress toward completion.

Funding requirements and considerations for Graduate School funded Graduate Assistantships

  • Academic Year assistantship contracts cannot be divided into any amounts smaller than one-half. Each graduate TA must receive a full tuition waiver and the full wage amount for each semester they are working on a contract. For example: a $10,000 TA can be split between two Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, such that each student receives $5000 in salary for one semester and a full tuition waiver for one semester. 
  • No offer can be made at less than the base salary.
  • The teaching assistantship tuition waiver does not waive any other fees charged by the University.  The student will be responsible for fees each semester that cannot be waived, including health insurance. Please be clear with your Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ about the fee amount that is not included in their tuition waiver. Programs with research support should consider ways to pay for student fees where appropriate and practical.

Please include the following paragraph from the Council of Graduate Schools in your letters to applicants who are being offered assistantships.

New Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15.  In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15.  However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made.

If your TA allotment includes a combination of master’s and doctoral level assistantships, please be sure that you assign them to the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ correctly.  Master’s level Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can only earn master’s level wages, and doctoral Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ can only earn doctoral level wages.  Any supplements to those wages need to be paid for by prior arrangement with the Graduate School and/or made at the program level with supplemental support resources.

Forms related to TA/RA Contracts

For additional assistance, learn how to fill out a contract via UApprove. 

If ever unsure, please contact the financial aid office with questions

Email: faid@mso.umt.edu

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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.
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Contract Change Form

Use when you need to change the index that the tuition support is being paid from.

Other Important Information Regarding Graduate Assistants

    • Graduate TA and RA positions are employees and should be supervised by someone in the department.

    • If the graduate assistant stops showing up for work or performing duties it is the hiring department’s responsibility to fill out the contract termination form.

    • Graduate Assistants cannot be expected to work more than 20 hours per week.

  • All payments to Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ 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, ORSP Award Summary Sheet, and 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. 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 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ doing work unrelated to their contract. All work study awarded to graduate Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ is subject to availability of funds and student eligibility.