School of Graduate Studies

East Tennessee State University

GA/TS Information and Positions

 

Graduate Assistantships / Tuition Scholarships Information

 

Graduate Assistants (or GAs, as they are often called) can either work in teaching, research, or administrative roles depending upon the position.

Graduate assistants receive tuition assistance and a monthly stipend for 9 months.

Tuition Scholarships are available to newly admitted students in certain programs, and recipients have a service obligation of 120 per semester. You can find more information in the FAQ below or in the Graduate Assistantship/Tuition Scholarship Handbook.

  • Policies

    GA/TS Eligibility

    In order to meet eligibility requirements student must meet the following requirements:

    • Register for at least 9 graduate credit hours in the fall and spring semesters. For summer contracts, if the contract ends June 30th the student must register for 3 hours in pre-summer or summer session I. If the contracts goes through August the student must register for 3 hours during summer session II. If the summer contract begins in May and ends in August, the student must register for 6 hours in any of the summer sessions (pre-summer, session I, and/or session II). The student may divide the 6 hours between sessions, for example; 3 credit hours in session I and 3 more in session II.
    • Not accept Tuition Scholarships if he or she is not a first year graduate student. (No TS contracts will be accepted after the Friday before classes begin).
    • Not be employed anywhere else on campus.
    • Be admitted unconditionally to the degree program. (1 semester exception)
    • Maintain a 3.0 GPA.

    Human Resources and Payroll Procedures

    Requirements for International Students

    • If an international student is graduating do not write contracts past the official commencement date
    • International students must take the Oral Proficiency Interview immediately upon arrival at ETSU. To schedule an interview, contact Dr. Yousif Elhindi at elhindi@etsu.edu or by phone at (423) 439-5992
    • International students applying for full-time graduate assistantships may not hold temporary positions
    • International students must have current Glacier paperwork on file before payroll can be processed. For more information contact Jennifer Crigger at criggerj@etsu.edu or by phone at (423) 439-6887.

    Deadlines and Fee Payments

    • GA/TS Deadlines
    • Students are responsible for all other fees not covered by his or her GA/TS.
    • Tuition is the only fee covered by the university
    • Out-of-State Tuition will be waived after all miscellaneous fees have been paid or a deferred payment option is utilized by the student. A $50.00 fee is charged for the deferred payment option.
    • There are only a limited number of summer graduate assistantships. The department must have the accounting number entered to pay summer tuition for graduate assistantships. If your department has a summer appointment, contact Merrica "Resie" Bell in Financial Services at bellmj@etsu.edu.

  • FAQ

     

    • What is a Graduate Assistantship?

      A Graduate Assistantship is an opportunity available to qualifying graduate students for on-campus employment. Graduate Assistants (or GAs, as they are often called) can either work in teaching, research, or administrative roles depending upon the position. Graduate assistants receive tuition assistance and a monthly stipend for 9 months for the academic year. Graduate Assistantships do not cover fees. Stipend amounts vary by programs, with doctoral student stipends typically higher than those for master’s students. For more detailed information about the types of Graduate Assistantships, refer to the GA/TS Handbook (page 5)

    • What is the difference between a Graduate Assistantship and a Tuition Scholarship (eligibility and requirements)?

      As stated above, a Graduate Assistantship (GA) is an opportunity for qualifying graduate students to work on campus in either teaching, research, or administrative roles. Graduate assistantships receive tuition assistance and a monthly stipend; fees are not covered.

      Tuition Scholarships (TS) are awarded only to newly admitted students in certain programs. Tuition Scholarship recipients have a service obligation of 120 hours per semester (or about 8 hours per week). Tuition Scholarships offer tuition assistance but no monthly stipend. Fees are not covered. Tuition Scholarships are available only to new students and once awarded can be renewed for the duration of the program as long as the student remains in good standing.

      General eligibility requirements for receiving a Graduate Assistantship or Tuition Scholarship are that the recipient

      1. Must be fully admitted to a graduate program
      2. Must register for at least 9 graduate hours during the Fall and Spring semester (3 hours during the summer semester if working 5/15-6/30 and 6 hours if working 5/15-8/15). Recipients of Graduate Assistantships or Tuition Scholarships must maintain those hours through the semester. If you drop below those hours, you are ineligible and your contract will be reviewed and may be canceled.
      3. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
      4. Cannot hold another paid position on campus without prior approval of the Dean of School of Graduate Studies.
      5. Must be a new student (for Tuition Scholarships).
    • How do I find and apply for a GA or TS position?

      To apply for a Graduate Assistantship (GA) or Tuition Scholarship (TS) you must first check the appropriate box on your graduate school application package. Once you have submitted your application it will be forwarded to the graduate coordinator assigned to the graduate program you are applying for admission into. We strongly encourage you to contact the department in which you would want to work and express your interest in a GA or TS. If you are unable to get a position in your department you can go online to the graduate studies web site and click on Assistantships and Scholarships. You may then view current vacancies by clicking on the Current List of Available GA & TS Positions. Openings are posted at the request of a department and the list can change, so check it often. GA's and TS's are available all across campus, not just in academic departments. Once you have obtained a position with a particular department, please go to Human Resources to complete all of the appropriate paperwork. The department will complete a GA or TS online appointment that will be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office for processing. The general requirements to hold a GA or TS are as follows:

      1. Must be fully admitted to a graduate program.
      2. Must register for at least 9 graduate hours during the Fall and Spring semester (3 hours during the Summer semester if working 5/15-6/30 and 6 hours if working from 5/15-8/15). Candidate must maintain those hours throughout the semester. If you drop below hours, you are ineligible and your contract will be reviewed and may be cancelled.
      3. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
      4. You cannot hold another paid position on campus without prior approval of the Dean, School of Graduate Studies.
    • Are Graduate Certificate students eligible for a GA or TS?
      No, students in graduate certificate programs are not eligible for a GA or TS.
    • I am in an RODP graduate program. Am I eligible for a graduate assistantship or a graduate tuition scholarship?
      No, students in RODP graduate programs are not eligible for graduate assistantships or tuition scholarships.
    • Can a student who starts in the summer be eligible for a Tuition Scholarship?
      In some cases where a student obtains prior permission from the Graduate Dean, it is possible to take one summer course and remain eligible for a TS starting the next fall term. TS positions are only used for new, first time, incoming graduate students admitted to a graduate degree program.
    • May I move from a TS to a GA or from a GA to a TS?
      A student can move from a TS to a GA but not from a GA to a TS. As specified in the GA/TS Handbook a Tuition Scholarship is awarded to graduate students entering their first period of registration, therefore graduate students with GA's would have already taken graduate courses and would not be eligible for a TS.
    • Can a TS become a Teaching Associate?
      Yes, a TS can teach one undergraduate course to fulfill their 8 hours a week as long as they have completed 18 hours of graduate coursework in their own graduate program.
    • What is a half GA and can a graduate student have two half GA's in separate areas?
      A half GA is the same as a regular GA except the student works half the hours (10 hours) receiving half the regular stipend per month and half tuition coverage. A student may have two half GA's under different supervisors or in different areas as long as the student works 10 hours within each area totaling 20 hours a week. A student with two half GA's would, therefore, receive a full stipend and full tuition coverage.
    • I understand that students are restricted to a two year limit, but do not know what the policy is for a returning student working on a second Master's degree. May I accept another GA position?
      The number of terms/years of eligibility for students pursuing masters and doctoral degrees can be found in the GA/TS handbook. Students pursuing dual masters degree programs or second masters degree programs may be considered for a third year of support (one additional year); approval is considered by the Dean or Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies in response from a request from the students current Graduate Program Coordinator and by the GA/TS contracting unit. All other requirements of eligibility must be met.
    • What happens if I want to move from a full GA to a half GA mid-semester?
      A student may not move from a full GA to a half GA mid-semester due to the terms of their contract. Any changes, made to a contract agreement would require new appointments subject to approval, reasonable notice, and appropriate paperwork. Changes are generally not approved midway or late in the semester.
    • Are students granted deferred action status (DACA) eligible for a graduate assistant or tuition scholarship?
      No. In the state of Tennessee individuals granted deferred action status are not eligible to make use of public funds for the purposes of higher education, a prohibition that includes such things as in-state residency classification as well as publically funded scholarships and assistantships like graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships.
    • Are there any fees that a GA or TS will not cover?
      Yes. A GA or TS waiver will not cover a student's program service fee or specialty course fees. Students are responsible for making arrangements to pay those charges by the Friday before classes begin. Basically, the GA/TS waiver will cover the maintenance fee (i.e. tuition) only. All other charges such as business course fees, technology fees or international insurance etc. should be handled by the student.
    • What should I do if I add or delete classes after my GA/TS waiver has been posted?
      If you register for 9 hours then add or delete classes after your GA/TS waiver has been posted, your tuition waiver amount will not automatically adjust, leaving a balance. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the comptroller's office of those changes so they can adjust your waiver properly. If you drop a class and your total number of graduate credit hours drops below requirements to hold a GA/TS then the contract is subject to cancellation.
    • I am in a regular graduate program and want to take an RODP course. Will my graduate assistantship or tuition scholarship cover the cost of that course?
      No, RODP course tuition cannot be covered by graduate assistantships or tuition scholarships. You may take the course, but you will need to pay the tuition.
    • Is the winter session tuition covered for a GA or TS? Do the graduate credit hours count toward spring required hours?
      The tuition remission that comes with a GA or TS appointment does not cover tuition for winter session courses and winter session courses do not count toward the requirement to be enrolled in nine graduate hours for spring term.
    • Are there any GA or TS positions offered at night or on the weekends for student teachers or others with those scheduling needs?
      The only night or weekend positions available are in the Library, computer labs, and coaching positions. Student teachers are strongly advised to not be employed during their student teaching experience, however GA and TS contracts can be submitted to the graduate office to be reviewed on a case by case basis.
    • Are GA's eligible for medical leave of absence?
      No, there is no provision for a medical or any other kind of leave of absence from a Graduate Assistantship. GA contracts will be canceled as soon as a student decides to withdraw from the University and submits a resignation letter to the graduate studies office. Please refer to the handbook.
    • If I have a GA/TS position in the current semester and withdraw from the University, would I be eligible for a GA/TS position the next semester?
      This situation would be reviewed on a case by case basis. Special consideration is given to students who have to withdraw due to medical reasons and can provide documentation.
    • Do GA/TS's have an official start date and end date?
      The general start and end dates are as follows:
      1. Summer term I - May 15 to June 30
      2. Summer term II - July 1 to August 15
      3. Academic Year - August 15 to May 15
      4. Fall only - August 15 to December 15
      5. Spring only - January 2 - May 15
      6. Fiscal Year July 1 to June 30
    • Do GA's have to work during fall or spring break?
      Yes, GA's work according to the campus office schedule. When offices are open, GA's are required to work their hours. When offices are closed, such as holiday's or closings due to weather. GA's are not required to work or make up those hours.
    • How much do GA's get paid and when?
      Stipend levels vary between programs. For academic year contracts (Aug 15 - May 15), the stipend is paid in 8 equal installments on the last business day of the month from September to April.
    • What are my employee rights as a GA or TS?

      Graduate Assistants and Tuition Scholars should have clear job assignments. Other rights, the evaluation process for GAs, and the appeals process are discussed in the GA/TS Handbook (page 11)

    • Is the Best Plus OPI test a one time test or does one have to take it every year?
      The Best Plus Oral Proficiency Interview is a one-time test that, if passed, holds for the duration of your time here at ETSU. Students can choose to repeat the test if they wish to try and increase their scores.
    • Do non-resident alien Graduate Assistants have to fill out the International Employee/Student Tax Questionnaire every year?
      Non-resident alien students must fill out and submit a questionnaire along with each new GA contract that is submitted to the graduate studies office to ensure the student will get taxed properly. The questionnaire can be found here.
    • What happens if a GA or TS is put on academic probation?
      As stated in the GA/TS Handbook, GA's must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. One who fails to maintain a 3.0 may be allowed 1 semester to remedy the grade deficiency.
    • Are parking permits or decals for full-time GA's available for faculty parking?
      No, although GA's are paid by ETSU, they are not considered faculty. Part time and adjunct faculty members do not receive access to the faculty parking areas either.
    • What are the procedures for resignation from a GA/TS position?
      If you wish to resign from your GA/TS position you must send a resignation letter to the graduate school and to your supervisor stating your reasons and the date you will stop working. If you resign mid-semester and retain your classes you will be billed for a pro-rated portion of the tuition. If you resign and withdraw from the university, a pro-rated portion of tuition will be due.

 

Available Graduate Assistantship and Tuition Scholarship Positions

 

The following list represents some Graduate Assistantship and Tuition Scholarship positions available across campus. This list is updated frequently. It is not an exhaustive list; academic programs may have Graduate Assistantship/Tuition Scholarship positions available that are not listed.

Unit managers: To remove a GA/TS advertisement, contact the webmaster at gradapp@etsu.edu   

  • Tuition Scholar - CASE (Social Media)

    Tuition Scholar - CASE (Social Media)

    Number of Positions:  1

    Contract Dates:  01/01/2020 - 05/14/2020

    Possible Renewal:  Yes

    Job Description:

    The Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) is seeking one graduate student to enhance social media presence and effectiveness.  This tuition scholar will be responsible for continuously updating and/or creating social media accounts for the CASE office, which serves majors in the College of Arts and Sciences.  Other general office duties may be required.  Other duties as assigned.  More information about CASE can be found at https://www.etsu.edu/cas/case

    Job Qualifications:

    Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree.  Applicants must be well versed in current social media platforms.

    Job Requirements: 

    This position requires proficient computer skills and social media experience

    Application Instructions:

    Submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Elizabeth Thomas Joseph at thomasjoseph@etsu.edu

    Contact Information 

     

    See application instructions

     

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