Spring 2024 Pre-Session Graduate Teaching Assistant Employment

A graduate student may be employed as a teaching assistant for the Spring 2024 Pre-Session. The method of payment will depend on whether the student holds an assistantship during the regular Spring 2024 semester.

Students with a Regular Assistantship

Assistantship appointment dates and payment schedule will proceed as usual during the Spring 2024 semester. The appointment dates for a regular Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) are January 16, 2024 through May 24, 2024, as originally scheduled. The appointment dates for a regular Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) can start no later than February 1, 2024 through May 31, 2024. The appointment dates are required for a student to qualify for tuition remission and reduced health insurance premiums. Payment dates will remain the same for all regular GTA and GRA appointments, with five equal monthly payments January through May 2024.

As usual, GTA and GRA work expectations are commensurate with the assistantship FTE. The maximum assistantship is 49% FTE and work may not exceed 19.6 hours per week. Assistantships must be a minimum of 33% FTE to be eligible for tuition remission and a reduced student health insurance premium.

Students holding a regular GTA or GRA may be employed as a teaching assistant during the Spring 2024 Pre-Session (January 2 through January 20). However, the appointment may not be combined with the regular spring assistantship appointment. The pre-session is considered an additional assignment with responsibilities outside of the regular assistantship appointment. Therefore, graduate teaching assistants must receive additional pay during this time:

  • Departments must provide an offer letter for the Spring 2024 Pre-Session. This Template letter (with) must be used for students with a regular assistantship.
  • GTA pay for the three-week session is prorated according to their experience level and regular term contract, which shall be no less than the prorated minimum GTA stipend allowed by the Graduate College. For example, based on a typical semester stipend of $7,500:
    • $7,500 paid out in 5 monthly payments, therefore = $7,500/5 = $1,500 per month.
    • There are 22 working days in January, therefore $1,500/22 = $68.18 per day.
    • Pre-session (Jan 2–Jan 20) has 14 working days, therefore $68.18 x 13 = $954.52
  • A one-time payment Payroll Action Form (PAF) must be submitted to Payroll and accompanied by the signed offer letter.
  • The one-time payment PAF should be submitted by January 6, 2024 to make sure payment will be included in the January pay period.

Students without a Regular Assistantship

Students not holding a regular GTA or GRA may be employed as a teaching assistant during the Spring 2024 Pre-Session (January 2 through January 20) and will be handled as a standalone appointment.

  • Departments must provide an offer letter for the Spring 2024 Pre-Session. This Template letter (without) must be used for students without a regular assistantship.
  • GTA pay for the three-week session is prorated according to their experience level and regular term contract, which shall be no less than the prorated minimum GTA stipend allowed by the Graduate College. For example, based on a typical semester stipend of $7,500:
    • $7,500 paid out in 5 monthly payments, therefore = $7,500/5 = $1,500 per month.
    • There are 22 working days in January, therefore $1,500/22 = $68.18 per day.
    • Pre-session (Jan 2-Jan 20) has 14 working days, therefore $68.18 x 15 = $954.52
  • A Payroll Action Form (PAF) must be submitted to Payroll and accompanied by the signed offer letter.
  • The PAF should be submitted by January 6, 2024 to make sure payment will be included in the January pay period.
  • Please note: Students who are employed during the Spring 2024 Pre-Session ONLY (without a regular assistantship) are not eligible for tuition remission and reduced student health insurance.

Forms and Documents