Most Iowa State doctoral students and many of our master's students are appointed to graduate assistantships (GAs). These teaching, research, and administrative appointments are made by departments, graduate programs, research institutes, and other university units. Policies concerning GAs can be found in the Graduate College Handbook.
Requirements
Graduate assistants must:
- Be admitted to a graduate degree program.
- Devote a specified number of hours per week to the duties assigned.
- Be registered for at least 1 credit each term appointed
In addition, teaching assistants (and other graduate students who have teaching responsibilities) who are not native speakers of American English must take International TA Program tests of oral proficiency before being assigned teaching duties. If test results are below level one, the student must take at least one communication class.
Stipend
Stipends dispersed to GAs are determined by the appointing department, program, or unit, which must provide at least the minimum amounts set for the university. The stipend is subject to income tax withholding requirements.
Tuition and Fee Reduction, and Other Benefits
- Tuition: Graduate assistants with an appointment of one-quarter time or more for at least three months during a semester, or for at least four weeks during a summer term, are assessed resident tuition for that term. Spouses of graduate assistants are also assessed tuition at the resident rate. Contact the Registrar's Office for the spousal tuition benefit.
- Tuition and Fee Awards: Graduate assistants who are on appointment for at least three months during each semester, or at least four weeks during the summer, receive a graduate tuition award and fee award unless they:
- do not fulfill the appointment and leave before the required appointment duration is complete,
- are on academic probation, or
- hold a fellowship or traineeship that provides funds for tuition and fee payments.
Policies concerning tuition awards and fee awards can be found in the Graduate College Handbook.
- Health insurance: GAs on an appointment at least three months during a semester receive single-student health insurance coverage, which includes a prescription drug plan at no charge (additional coverage for a spouse, children, and dental is available for additional premiums). Visit Student & Scholar Health Insurance Program for information on how to enroll, costs, and specific plan information.
