Setting Up a New GA Position

For departments or units who have never offered a Graduate Assistantship position, these are some of the components needed to establish one. Please contact the Graduate College if there are questions related to your area that may not be answered here.

1. Determine a funding source for the position

Graduate Assistantships must be funded by a university controlled fund, but can be from any type of funding source: appropriated, local, or grant. The budget in the funding source must include payment of salary, tuition, and GA health insurance. The current rates are listed on the Graduate College website. If required, a new segment string may be requested via the segment request form. If the position will be permanently funded in an appropriated budget, ensure the cost center ends in 505. These funds are funded for increases in tuition, minimum salary, and insurance. Additional fees are the responsibility of the student but may be paid by the department. Verify your department’s policy. Self-support classes may not be paid by appropriated funds.

2. Determine if the position will be a full award or partial award

A full assistantship award includes a work obligation of up to 20 hours per week and includes full tuition, at least the minimum salary, and full payment of the health insurance premium for the GA Group plan. A partial assistantship award includes a work obligation of up to 10 hours per week and includes payment of at least half of the tuition, half of the minimum salary, and full payment of the health insurance premium for the GA Group plan. A breakdown of the Full and Partial awards with the costs for the current year can be found on our GA Budgeting Intranet website.

3. Create your job description, determine the supervisor, and outline the work schedule

The majority of the duties of the job description will determine the job title which must be either a Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant, or Graduate Service Assistant. The title will have implications for FLSA and IRS requirements.

4. Create your application process and/or selection criteria

If you will use an application process you may the standard application form or create your own.

5. Advertise and recruit for the position

Identify and actively recruit students for your program through effective communication, campus visits, website information, etc. Submit the request form to add your job posting to the Find an Assistantship page.

6. Select

Select a student and see the GA Hiring Steps.