Student Information
Graduate Assistantships are only available to students who have been admitted with full standing into a Tennessee Tech graduate degree program.
A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are available throughout the University. Graduate Assistantships provide tuition remission at an in-state rate, covers the costs of the majority of your fees, and provides a modest monthly stipend. Graduate Assistants are responsible for all fees not covered by the assistantship.
Persons interested in applying for a Graduate Assistantship should submit their Graduate Assistantship application to the individual college or department they are interested in working with. Direct contact with each college or department is encouraged as additional application materials and references may be required and some departments may also have specific deadlines for assistantship applications.
Below are the instructions to apply for a Graduate Assistantship. The criteria listed are required for all assistantships; however, each department may require more information (e.g. letters of recommendation, personal statement, etc.). You must contact the department offering the GA position regarding additional material they may require.
Graduate Assistantship Application
Steps for Applying
1. Complete the Graduate Assistantship Application. (See link above.)
2. Save the application to your computer and email it as an attachment to the appropriate contact person.
3. Along with the application, include your resume and any other additional information you feel may be helpful to the contact person.
4. Wait for a response from the contact person regarding additional information or documentation that may require be required (e.g. letters of recommendation, personal statement, etc.).
5. If you have not heard anything within one week, follow up with the department.
6. You may also email your Graduate Assistantship Application and Resume to the College of Graduate Studies.
Additional Information
There is no limit to the number of graduate assistant positions you may apply for.
In order to begin your assistantship, you must be fully admitted into your graduate degree program and be enrolled as a full-time graduate student.
In order to remain eligible for an assistantship, you must maintain a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 each semester.
Current Assistantship Openings
Academic Departments usually have an in-house process for hiring graduate assistants. We suggest you meet with your advisor and/or department chair to discuss the application process used by your college. There are service offices throughout the campus that hire graduate assistants. In the event that a position becomes available from a department or service office, that opening would be advertised in the HANDSHAKE job posting system that is available through the Office of Career Development. If you are seeking a position, be sure to create a HANDSHAKE account and view the job board often.
Tax Implications
Tuition benefits offered to research and teaching graduate assistants are generally excluded from taxation. It is important to note that support graduate assistants may encounter taxation. The Business Office at Tech has provided a detailed summary of tax implications on tuition benefits. We suggest you review this document to understand how taxation may impact your stipend.
Training for Graduate Assistants
Training for Graduate Assistants will be assigned by the department. Training may include courses accessible in your Eagle account, iLearn account, or via Tech Express. For information see your department administrative assistant.
Graduate Assistants should familiarize themselves with all FERPA requirements.
