Salaries, Tuition Benefits, Work Schedules and Policies Governing Graduate Research Positions
Effective Fall 2026
Duration of Appointment
The academic year is August 25-May 24; the fall semester is August 25-January 9; and the spring semester is January 10-May 24.
| Appointment | Workdays / Weeks | Total Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Academic year full-time appointment (20 hours/week) | 195 workdays (39 weeks) | 39 weeks × 20 hours/week = 780 hours of work |
| Semester full-time appointment (20 hours/week) | 97.5 workdays (19.5 weeks) | 19.5 weeks × 20 hours/week = 390 hours of work |
| Academic year part-time appointment (10 hours/week) | Not specified | 390 hours of work |
| Semester part-time appointment (10 hours/week) | Not specified | 195 hours of work |
Note: Pay and tuition benefits are prorated if students are appointed after the start of the semester or leave before their appointments end.
Pay Scale and Tuition Benefits for Dean’s Scholars
Dean’s Scholar appointments ($33.01/hour)
| Appointment | Term | Salary | Per pay period | Tuition benefits (in-state rate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (20 hours/week) | Fall and spring | $25,750 | $1,431 | 9 credits per semester |
Pay Scale and Tuition Benefits for Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Positions
Master’s-Level GRAs
For a first-time appointment as a master’s student ($26.65/hour)
| Appointment | Term | Salary | Per pay period | Tuition benefits (in-state rate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (20 hours/week) | Fall and spring | $20,790 | $1,155 | 6 credits per semester |
| Part-time (10 hours/week) | Fall and spring | $10,395 | $578 | 3 credits per semester |
| Full-time (20 hours/week) | One semester only | $10,395 | $1,155 | 6 credits in semester worked |
| Part-time (10 hours/week) | One semester only | $5,198 | $578 | 3 credits per semester |
Doctoral-Level GRAs
For a first-time appointment as a doctoral student ($26.65/hour)
| Appointment | Term | Salary | Per pay period | Tuition benefits (in-state rate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (20 hours/week) | Fall and spring | $20,790 | $1,155 | 9 credits per semester |
| Part-time (10 hours/week) | Fall and spring | $10,395 | $578 | 6 credits per semester |
| Full-time (20 hours/week) | One semester only | $10,395 | $1,155 | 9 credits in semester worked |
| Part-time (10 hours/week) | One semester only | $5,198 | $578 | 6 credits per semester |
For a second-time appointment as a doctoral student and future appointments (must have held a doctoral assistantship for two full semesters; $27.73/hour)
| Appointment | Term | Salary | Per pay period | Tuition benefits (in-state rate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time (20 hours/week) | Fall and spring | $21,630 | $1,202 | 9 credits per semester |
| Part-time (10 hours/week) | Fall and spring | $10,815 | $601 | 6 credits per semester |
| Full-time (20 hours/week) | One semester only | $10,815 | $1,202 | 9 credits in semester worked |
| Part-time (10 hours/week) | One semester only | $5,408 | $601 | 6 credits per semester |
Eligibility Policy for Graduate Research Positions
All students appointed into graduate research positions (Dean’s Scholars and GRAs) must abide by the following policy regarding outside employment:
- Dean’s Scholars: Can only work up to 19 hours outside the Dean’s Scholar appointment. No exceptions.
- GRAs: Can only work up to 19 hours outside the GRA appointment. No exceptions.
Policies Governing Tuition Benefits for All Graduate Research Positions
- To be eligible for tuition benefits, all Dean’s Scholars and GRAs must maintain satisfactory academic progress (3.5 GPA).
- CEHD tuition benefits are not available to non-CEHD students.
- Tuition benefits should be treated as income for tax purposes.
- The U.S. Government has a separate and distinct set of laws and regulations for taxing non-resident aliens.
- Eligibility is not contingent on financial need, degree program or year in program.
Additional Policies Governing Tuition Waivers for Dean’s Scholars and GRAs
- To be eligible for a tuition waiver, all Dean’s Scholars and full-time GRAs must be registered for a minimum of six credit hours each semester*, and part-time GRAs must be registered for a minimum of nine credit hours each semester.*
- Tuition waivers are not available to Dean’s Scholars and GRAs if the student receives tuition waivers from other sources.
- It is the responsibility of the student to inform the CEHD Director of Human Resources if another source of tuition waiver funding is available.
- Tuition waiver eligibility requirements are subject to University policy changes during the academic year.
* Exception: Students who need fewer credits than the minimum credit-hour requirement to complete their degree programs and graduate.