Q: What is a graduate assistantship?
A:Towson University Office of
Graduate Studies dministers a program
offering a limited number of graduate
assistantships to help graduate students
cover their expenses, as well as to give
them professional experience as they
pursue their degree.
Q: Where are assistantships available?
A: Each college can award a number
of graduate assistantships. Applicants
will be placed in their major program
if possible. Other positions are available
in academic programs, administrative
offices. External assistantships, if
applicable, can be arranged at businesses
or nonprofit organizations off campus.
Q: What would be my responsibilities?
A: Graduate assistants are responsible for a variety of activities,
including assistance to faculty and administrators, research, and
diverse assignments for external employers. Assistants provide
appropriate work for the number of hours per week specified in the
letter of appointment.
Q: What are the requirements for a graduate to
apply and retain an assistantship?
A: The requirements for a graduate to apply and retain an
assistantship are:
1. Admission to a degree program.
2. Once in the program, they need to
maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 each semester
in all courses in the graduate program.
Q: How many hours must you work a week?
A: The graduate assistantship
offers a choice of 20 or 10 hours to
work per week. With attendance in classes
and study, 20 hours is expected to be
a full time undertaking. The 10 hours
is designed to accommodate special needs
of the departments. Graduates who are
awarded 10 hours assistantships must
satisfies their responsibilities
to the university without interference
from outside employment.
Q: How many units does one have to carry per
semester?
A: Full-time (20 hours) assistants
must register for a minimum six degree
units; and half- time (10 hours) assistants
for at least three course units.
Q: If we do not use the entire tuition waiver awarded
to us each semester can we use them the following semester?
A: Tuition waivers are awarded
per semester per course units and do
not transfer to the next semester.
Q: What kind of payment does a Graduate Assistants
receive?
A: Current payment, based on a
full-time ten-month position, includes
a $5,000 stipend and a maximum annual
tuition waiver of 24 units (per unit
dollar amount times 12 course units per
semester). A 10-month part-time position
includes a $2,500 stipend and maximum
tuition waiver of 12 course units (per
unit dollar amount times 6 units
per semester). Please understand the
Graduate Assistantship pays the tuition
waiver for units that pertain to the
Graduate Assistant's Degree Program or
if it is a prerequisite for that degree
program.
Q: Are there any health benefits or other benefits
with the assistantship?
A: There is neither health care benefits under the assistantship
nor any other benefits such as retirement plan.
Q: Is the stipend taxable?
A: Yes, the stipend is considered
an income which is taxable. Contact the
IRS to determine if tuition waivers are
tax-exempt.
Q: How does
one apply for assistantship? A: In order to apply for an assistantship
position, students must complete and
submit the online GA Application via
the following link: http://grad.towson.edu/finance/ga/ga_app.asp
Note: Hard copy applications are no longer
accepted.
Upon submission, applications will be
retained and available for review by
departments for one year. To remain in
the pool of candidates, applicants should
re-apply by April 1st of each year.
Departments will contact prospective
students for an interview and select
the student they wish to have for a particular
position. The department will contact
the students directly as well as contacting
the GAO office to file the necessary
paperwork.
In addition to completing the online
application, we encourage students to
also contact their program directors
to inquire about possible assistantship
opportunities relative to their field
of study and/or various campus departments
of interest. Keep in mind, gaining an
assistantship position can be quite competitive.
There are far more applicants in comparison
to positions available, so independent
networking is essential.
For additional information, feel free
to contact the Graduate Assistantship
Office at 410-704-4484 or gao@towson.edu
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
