Knowing the minimum pay rates for graduate assistantships helps you plan your budget.
Listed below are the 2026-2027 Academic Year minimum pay rates for graduate assistantships. These rates apply to all assistantships paid from state or research accounts. Compensation standards for the graduate student may be determined by categories such as degree, length of term, and number of hours per week.
Graduate Assistantships:
| Term Length | Full-Time* | Part-Time |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Month | $27,720 | $13,860 |
| 9-Month | $20,790 | $10,395 |
| 9.5-Month | $21,945 | $10,972.50 |
| Fall or Spring Semester | $10,395 | $5197.50 |
| Summer | $6930 | $3,465.00 |
*Full-time is 20 hours per week during the academic year and summer term for students enrolled in courses. Students not enrolled during the summer, but enrolled in the fall, may work up to 40 hours per week. Compensation must be adjusted to reflect the increase in hours.
Graduate Assistantships for Approved External Fellowships:
| Term Length | Quarter-Time Assistantships* |
|---|---|
| 12-Month | N/A |
| 9-Month | $4,000 |
| Fall or Spring Semester | $2,000 |
| Summer | N/A |
*Quarter-time assistantships include five hours per week of work during the academic year. The work will be determined by an agreement between the department/program and the student, and in consultation with the external funding foundation/agency when necessary. If the student’s approved external fellowship place restrictions on such work, contact the Office of Fellowships for guidance and assistance.
Appointment Dates
AY26-27 appointment start dates (effective dates) for assistantships may be 08/10 or 8/25. The first paycheck will be distributed on September 1 or 16, respectively.
The following table indicates authorized start and end dates.
|
|
Start date(s) |
End date(s) |
|
12-month (preferred) |
8/25 |
8/24 |
|
9-month |
8/25 |
5/24 |
|
*9.5-month |
8/10 |
5/24 |
|
Fall semester |
8/25 |
1/09 |
|
Spring semester |
1/10 |
5/24 |
|
Summer |
5/25 |
8/24 |
*The 8/10 start date will appear in HR banner reports under the summer semester. Reporting will be off due to the crossover between the academic year and summer.
Please note that appointment dates for GRAs paid from sponsored program funds may reflect the effective dates of the respective grant.
For complete information, review the Graduate Hiring Rules and Procedures.
Guidance on Graduate Student's Work Assignments
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The Graduate Division sets a minimum stipend level. Each hiring unit is to ensure that its stipend levels are equal to or higher than the minimum specified above.
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Stipend levels have no caps.
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Full-time assistantships, including tuition waivers, are strongly encouraged.
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Twelve-month assistantships are strongly encouraged if the graduate student has responsibilities during both the academic year and summer.
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Graduate student wage positions should be used for administrative work, and rates are based upon the job being performed.
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Graduate student wage positions should not be used for research, teaching, and professional activities.