Assistantships and Fellowships

Resolution of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States—Acceptance of an offer of financial aid (such as a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or assistantship) for the next academic year by an enrolled or prospective graduate student completes an agreement that both student and graduate school expect to honor. When a student accepts an offer before April 15 and subsequently desires to withdraw, the student may submit a written resignation for the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment was made. Similarly, an offer made by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of a written release from any previously accepted offer. It is further agreed by the institutions and organizations subscribing to this resolution that a copy of the resolution should accompany every scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, and assistantship offer.

Graduate Assistantships—Graduate assistantships are academic appointments reserved for graduate and professional students. Appointments to teaching assistant, research assistant, or administrative fellow positions are offered through various departments. A teaching assistant helps teach students in a specified course or courses under the general supervision of the academic staff and may be assigned primary responsibility for an entire course. A research assistant carries out activities connected with research studies assigned by the supporting department or principal research investigator. An administrative fellow performs duties of a specialized nature connected with academic administration.

To be eligible to hold one of these appointments, a student must have been admitted to the Graduate School or a professional school and be registered in the Graduate School or professional school each term of the appointment; this applies to appointments of any percentage or any number of hours. For more specific information, refer to the Graduate Assistant Employment Area in the Office of Human Resources (612-624-7070) or its Web site at www.umn.edu/ohr/gae/.

Benefits—All graduate assistants holding appointments as teaching assistants, research assistants, and administrative fellows may become eligible for the following benefits:

Tuition Benefits—Upon reaching minimum qualification for eligibility (refer to the graduate assistant office Web site above), students receive a tuition benefit equal to twice the percentage of time worked. For example, a 40 percent appointment for the full payroll semester period includes an 80 percent tuition benefit, which applies only to tuition and the University fee. The maximum benefit is 100 percent and applies to a maximum of 14 credits each academic term. The tuition benefit does not cover course or student services fees.

Resident Rate Privilege—Upon reaching minimum qualification for eligibility (refer to the graduate assistant office Web site above), students receive a resident rate break, which is credited on the fee statement before the tuition benefit. This privilege applies concurrently to members of the immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, children, and parents).

Extended Resident Rate Privilege—When a graduate assistant has completed two qualifying terms of assistantship, the resident rate break continues for the number of terms the appointments were held, up to a maximum of four terms. This privilege applies also to the student’s immediate family. Note: For the student and family, this privilege does not extend beyond three years from the termination of the last or most recent qualifying appointment.

Each department sets its own financial aid application deadline. Unless otherwise noted, students should apply by January 15 for appointments for the ensuing academic year; applications received after January 15 are considered for available vacancies.

Graduate assistants are compensated according to a pay range established each year by the University’s central administration and approved by the Board of Regents. The current pay range for graduate assistants is available from the department or the University of Minnesota Job Center. Graduate students may not hold appointments for which there is no monetary compensation, nor are they allowed to hold appointments for which they receive only course credit or resident tuition rates.

More information may be obtained from either the head of the department offering the appointment or the Job Center, which maintains the graduate assistant office Web site and Grapevine, a newsletter for graduate assistants. More information about the assistantship program at the University may be obtained from the Job Center, University of Minnesota, 200 Donhowe Building (first floor for walk-in assistance), 319 15th Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-7070; fax 612-625-9801; www.umn.edu/ohr/gae/).

Graduate Assistant Health Care Plan—University-subsidized health insurance is available to most Graduate School or professional school students who hold an appointment as a teaching assistant, research assistant, or administrative fellow (some other fellows and trainees enrolled in the Graduate School are also eligible). For these students, the University pays 42.5 to 95 percent of the insurance premium during the academic year (fall through spring), the percentage depending on the level of appointment. To receive this coverage, eligible students must apply for it by the end of the second week of classes. To apply and for more information, contact the Graduate Assistant Insurance Office, N-323 Boynton Health Service, 410 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-6936; gradins@bhs.umn.edu; www.bhs.umn.edu).

Postsecondary Teaching and Learning Assistantships—Graduate students are eligible to apply for teaching assistantships in the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning in mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, ESL, and the humanities. The Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning offers first-year curriculum for entering students, with a particular emphasis on multiculturalism.

All graduate teaching assistantships for Postsecondary Teaching and Learning are posted for at least five days in the Job Center, University of Minnesota, 319 15th Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455. Notices of vacancies in Postsecondary Teaching and Learning are routinely sent to related academic departments in other University colleges.

Graduate Fellowships—Graduate fellowships, awards based on academic merit, are available to new and currently enrolled graduate students. The Graduate School Fellowship Office, 314 Johnston Hall, administers several fellowship programs; a number of individual academic departments also administer field-specific fellowships. Entering students should contact their prospective graduate program. Currently enrolled students should consult the Fellowship Office and their graduate program office for current information on fellowship opportunities. The Fellowship Office also processes applications for several international competitions, such as Fulbright Grants for graduate study abroad.

Contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office for additional information at 612-625-7579 or gsfellow@umn.edu.

Resident Benefit for Graduate Fellows and Trainees—Graduate students who hold fellowships or traineeships are eligible for resident tuition rates, provided the award is administered by the University and the stipend is at least equal to a 25-percent-time graduate assistantship. This eligibility also extends to members of the immediate family (i.e., parent, spouse, child, or ward). For details and updates on this policy, contact the Graduate School Fellowship Office, 314 Johnston Hall, 612-625-7579.

For New Graduate Students
Graduate School Fellowships—Intended for recruiting outstanding new students to the University’s graduate programs, these fellowships provide a stipend of approximately $21,500 for the academic year plus tuition for up to 14 credits per term and subsidized health insurance. Prospective students must be nominated by their chosen major field in late January through procedures announced by the Graduate School during fall semester. Applicants should contact the director of graduate studies in their major field in advance.

Fellowships and Scholarships Administered Through Departments—Many academic departments have fellowships and awards from private endowment income, gifts, and other sources. Complete information is available on award amounts and purposes, deadlines, and the application process from individual departments. Students should inquire directly.

Fellowships Available For Underrepresented and Educationally Disadvantaged Students—Because eligibility varies depending on the fellowship, students should contact the appropriate program office to see if they are eligible. Information can also be obtained from the Graduate School Diversity Office, 333 Johnston Hall (612-625-6858; gsoeo@umn.edu).

Diversity of Views and Experiences Fellowship (DOVE)—Students planning to enter the Graduate School for the first time in the fall semester are eligible for these one-year fellowships, which provide a stipend of approximately $21,500 plus tuition and health insurance (fees not included) for the academic year. Departmental support following the fellowship year is included. All applicants must be nominated by the graduate program they plan to enter. About 18 fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School each year.

Other Available Fellowships—The availability of other fellowships for underrepresented and educationally disadvantaged students changes yearly. They include the Ford Foundation Pre-doctoral and Dissertation Fellowships for Minorities, the GEM Master’s Fellowship, the GEM Ph.D. Engineering and Natural Science Fellowship, and others. Contact the Graduate School Diversity Office, 333 Johnston Hall, for information. In addition, underrepresented and educationally disadvantaged students should check all regular sources of support described in this catalog.