Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally, at minimum:

• be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
• be in good academic standing
• be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session)
• have at least two semesters remaining in their study plan at the start of the appointment

GA positions are extremely competitive.  To be considered, preferred qualifications include:

• exceptional academic achievement
• leadership experience
• financial need

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive:

• monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Responsibilities

• grading, tutoring, proctoring
• supporting research projects
• assisting at department-sponsored events

Application

Students interested in graduate assistantships may search both on and off campus employment opportunities using the Illinois State University Jobs website. Graduate students may apply for any graduate assistantships they are qualified for on campus.

The GAs applications are open in early January each year. Applicants are selected no later than March 15th for positions beginning the following academic year (i.e., the subsequent fall and spring semesters).