Assistantships are typically appointed at 0.5 FTE (i.e., an average commitment of 20 hours per week), but appointments for lesser fractions may be made. Appointments are usually nine or 12 months at a time. Continuation of appointments is subject to availability of funds, meeting performance expectations, and maintaining good academic standing.
A GTA performs duties that support the teaching mission of K-State and the student’s educational goals. These duties might include classroom or laboratory teaching, proctoring exams, grading exams, papers or other assignments, preparing instructional materials or other general assistance in the instructional process. GTA appointments and compensation must be consistent with Chapter 4845 of the Kansas State University Policy and Procedures Manual.
GTA appointments are typically assigned by a graduate student's academic department or program. Prospective and current graduate students should consult with their graduate program about GTA opportunities.
A GRA performs duties that support the research mission of K-State and the student’s educational goals. Research duties vary but are supervised by graduate faculty. The research project that the students’ activities support may be part of their thesis or dissertation. GRA appointments and compensation must be consistent with Chapter 4835 of the Kansas State University Policy and Procedures Manual.
GRA appointments are typically assigned by a graduate student's academic department or program. Prospective and current graduate students should consult with their graduate program about GRA opportunities.
A GA performs duties that directly or indirectly contribute to a graduate student’s educational success. These duties vary, but generally involve administrative services that can include gathering, organizing and analyzing information, providing student services, performing administrative tasks to support a program or organizational unit or performing routine research support activities. Support of GAs must be consistent with Chapter 4720 of the Kansas State University Policy and Procedures Manual.
Most GA appointments are offered by non-academic campus units.
Discover GA opportunities
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GTAs and GRAs are appointed primarily by individual departments and graduate programs. At the time of application and admission, your graduate program should inform you whether or not they can offer you an assistantship.
Student support units that offer graduate assistantships (GA) often post openings in the Career Center’s Handshake job listing system. You also can contact student support units directly or visit their websites to inquire whether they have assistantship opportunities available. Many GA opportunities are listed within the College of Education website because these positions often align with the professional goals of graduate students studying and pursuing a career in student affairs. However, students from all disciplines are welcome to apply for these positions.
Discover GA opportunities
https://coe.k-state.edu/academics/program-areas/student-affairs/graduate-assistantships.html Y purple medium-basic
When offered an assistantship, the employing unit should provide you with an offer letter that clearly states your appointment type (GTA, GRA, GA, or combination), the FTE, duration (e.g., nine or twelve month), stipend amount, and other benefits (e.g., tuition remission or support). If these or other terms of the appointment are not provided or are not clear, ask for clarification.
If you accept an assistantship, you will need to complete paperwork for payroll. Make sure that the employment details on this paperwork aligns with the terms outlined in your offer letter.
Assessed tuition at resident rate ¹
¹ Must be on at least a 0.4 FTE appointment ² Tuition remission means the university pays for the student’s tuition (does not include fees). A maximum of 10 credit hours is covered if on a 0.5 FTE appointment. ³ Must be on a 0.5 FTE appointment
GTAs, GRAs, and GAs, are not eligible to earn paid vacation and sick leave. However, this does not mean that you are expected to work when sick or that you will never be permitted personal vacation time. You should always seek approval from your supervisor in advance of making personal vacation plans. At the start of your appointment, discuss expectations and procedures with your supervisor regarding personal vacation time, as well as how to make up time and work that is missed due to illness.
Depending on your appointment, you may be required to work on campus, or complete work remotely, during student and university holidays. For example, some research experiments must continue through holidays and weekends, and animals involved in research need to daily care. Also, while GTAs will have a break from the classroom during holidays, they likely will still have grading or class prepping to complete. Again, it is important to consult with your assistantship supervisor at the start of your appointment regarding expectations for work time and responsibilities and ask questions at any time that expectations are unclear.
Graduate students who welcome a new child (whether through childbirth, adoption, or foster care) are eligible to request academic leave and if employed as a GTA, GRA, or GA, may be eligible for paid employment leave. Interested students should review the full policy in the Graduate Handbook and will need to complete an accommodation application form, available on the Graduate School’s forms page in the Miscellaneous section.