Graduate Assistantships
FAQ
Q: What is a graduate assistantship?
A:Towson University Graduate School administers 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 graduate program has one assistantship. 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 you 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.
10 hour assistantships must satisfactorily fulfill their responsibilities
to the university without interference from outside employment.
Q: How many credits does one have to carry per
semester?
A: Full-time (20 hours) assistants must register for a minimum
six degree credits, and half- time (10 hours) assistants for at
least three degree credits.
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 credit hours
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 $4,000 stipend and a maximum annual tuition waiver of
24 credits (per credit dollar amount times 12 credits per semester).
A 10-month part-time position includes a $2,000 stipend and maximum
tuition waiver of 12 credits (per credit dollar amount times 6 credits
per semester). Please understand the Graduate Assistantship
pays the tuition waiver for credits that pertain to the Graduate
Assistant's Degree Program or if it is a prerequisite for your 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. Please understand that the stipend is considered
an income. As for the tuition waiver please contact the IRS to see
if it is tax exempt.
Q: How does one apply for assistantship?
A: You may contact our office (410) 704-4484 and ask for
an application to be mailed to you or stop by the 7800 York Road
Building room 232 and pick up one (Office Hours: Monday - Thursday,
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ). (You can also print the application from
the web.) The application and a resume should be returned to room
232. We will retain the applications for review by the departments
for one year. Departments hiring Graduate Assistants will
contact prospective students for interview, they will select the
student they wish to have for that particular position. The
department will contact the student directly as well as notify the
Graduate Assistantship Office of their selection.
If you wish to remain in the pool of candidates for another year's
selection please be sure to reapply by April 1st.
Please remember students are not allowed to begin working in their
department without signing a contract in the Graduate Assistantship
Office.
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