Academic Programs Catalog

GRADUATE ASSISTANTS, LEVEL I. Graduate students with the bachelor's degree and less than one year's experience as graduate assistants or as full-support fellows. They conduct research, perform administrative tasks or other supervised duties such as reading and grading papers.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTS, LEVEL II. Graduate students with a relevant master's degree or equivalent and/or one year's experience as graduate assistants or as full-support fellows in the appointing department or school or in a unit considered relevant by the chairperson of the appointing department or school. They conduct research, grade papers, or perform administrative tasks with moderate supervision. Advancement from Level I to Level II is usually routine.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTS, LEVEL III. Graduate students who have successfully completed doctoral comprehensive exams, as defined by the department in which the student is enrolled, and have experience as a graduate RA/TE at Michigan State University, or equivalent. The minimum number of semesters shall be four (4), five (5) or six (6). The definition of equivalent experience as an RA/TE is left to the discretion of the chairperson of the appointing unit, but it is expected that only experience in research-oriented assignments will count toward the six semesters of experience as an RA. (Consistent with current practice, 1/4 time and 3/4 time appointments count the same as 1/2 time appointments, and summer semesters count the same as fall and spring semesters.)

 

Stipend levels are subject to yearly change. 

For the latest information, please consult the Human Resources Web site at https://hr.msu.edu/employment/graduate-assistants/stipend-ranges.html.

Checks are distributed on a biweekly basis. Graduate assistants at any of the three levels may be appointed on a  quarter–time, half–time,  or three–quarter–time basis with an appropriate adjustment in the stipend. Additional benefits, even though the graduate student does not enroll for 10 credits or more, include the following:

1. Tuition waiver in the amount of 9 credits for fall semester, 9 credits for spring semester, and 5 credits for summer session.  The tuition waiver will be provided during the period of the assistantship, to a maximum of 23 credits per year. For Ph.D. students past comprehensive exams with a summer (only) research assistantship following a spring assistantship, there is a 1 credit non-fringe research assistantship option available https://hr.msu.edu/ua/hiring/graduate-assistants/no-fringe/.
2. Exemption from out–of–state resident tuition. This exemption applies to a summer session that precedes or follows consecutive fall and spring appointments, regardless of whether the student was previously enrolled at Michigan State University. If the student does not have a graduate assistantship form completed before registering for summer session, they will pay out–of–state resident course fees and tuition. If an appointment form is submitted prior to the middle of the subsequent fall semester, the Office of the Registrar will refund the full amount of out–of–state tuition that the student paid for the summer session.
3. Specific college or program fees, applicable to all graduate students enrolled in a specific college or program, may apply and are not waived.
4. Health Insurance. Graduate assistants (domestic and international) are automatically enrolled in a health insurance plan, the premium of which is paid by the university. The plan provides the following coverage:
   a.    Fall appointment only: coverage from August 16 to February 15 of the following year.
   b.    Fall and Spring appointments—coverage from August 16 to August 15 of the following year.
   c.    Spring appointment only—coverage from January 1 to August 15.
   d.    Summer appointment only—coverage from approximately May 16 to August 15.
   Enrolled students may also insure their eligible spouse and/or dependent children (residing with the insured).
   For questions regarding coverage, enrollment or premium payment, contact BCN partners with Blue Water for enrollment and payment, 1-800-287-4103. For questions concerning waiver processing or general information, contact the Michigan State University Human Resources Office at 1-517-353-4434 or 1-800-353-4434, or by e-mail at: solutionscenter@hr.msu.edu. The Human Resources Office is located at 1407 South Harrison, Suite 140A, East Lansing, MI 48823 and on the web at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/graduate-assistants/health/index.html; or visit BCN at www.bcbsm.com/msu.
5. Eligibility for treatment at Olin Health Center.

If a graduate assistant resigns an assistantship or the assistantship is terminated early during a semester, such that the appointment does not meet minimum duration standards (53 calendar days in Fall and Spring; 46 calendar days in Summer), the student will be assessed tuition for all credits carried, and those who are not Michigan (in-state) residents will be assessed out-of-state tuition.

Library privileges, intramural and recreative facilities privileges, and eligibility to join the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union.

Eligibility for student discounts on football, basketball, and/or hockey season tickets for themselves and their spouses.

Eligibility for free admission to other regularly scheduled Michigan State University athletic events when presenting a valid student ID card.

Eligibility for student discounts on series tickets to professional performing arts events at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and Institute for Arts and Culture, including one guest ticket at the student rate.

Exemption from payment of the Social Security tax on the stipend if the student is enrolled for the minimum number or required credits. Stipends are subject to income taxes with few exceptions. The taxability of stipends is subject to review by the Internal Revenue Service. Please call the Payroll Office for more information 1-517-355-5010. Please note that tax laws are subject to continuing revision and students should verify their tax liability each year.

Graduate assistants must be registered each semester in which they hold an assistantship.  Specific information on maximum and minimum credit loads is found under the Maximum and Minimum Credits heading in this section of this catalog.

These graduate assistantships provide financial support for students who are accepted into a master’s or a doctoral degree program and whose enrollment will enhance the inclusiveness of the student body of the program into which they are admitted. This recruitment program is designed to assist academic units in attracting a cohort of students who have traditionally not participated in graduate programs in their units.

To aid students in the College of Human Medicine.

To assist students in the College of Human Medicine.

To aid students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine.

To provide scholarships for needy students in the College of Human Medicine.

Specific information on registration requirements for fellowship recipients is given under Maximum and Minimum Credits heading in this section of this catalog.

To be eligible for this fellowship, Education Opportunity Fellowship (EOF) applicants must 1) demonstrate a need for financial assistance and have a minimum undergraduate federal loan indebtedness of $25,000, both as determined by the Michigan State University Office of Financial Aid; 2) be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States.  Exact awards will vary depending on need.  Students must be in good academic standing meeting department, college, and university standards. Enrollment requirements include a minimum of 6 credits each semester, 3 credits for the summer semester, or 1 credit if comprehensive exams are complete.  Applications are only available between mid-January and mid-March for the next aid year.  Applications must be renewed each year.  Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until all are disbursed. Students with undergraduate federal indebtedness of $25,000 or greater may qualify for the EOF or Student Aid Grant for Medical Student (SAG); they cannot receive both awards in the same academic year.
 

These fellowships allow students to devote full time to writing the doctoral dissertation. The stipend is at the discretion of the college but may not exceed $10,000 for the semester. This fellowships program is for students in the final months of their programs. About 200 fellowships are awarded each year. Application must be made directly to your department, school, or program https://grad.msu.edu/fellowships/dissertation.
 

The Graduate School offers fellowship programs that provide financial support for outstanding students who plan to enroll in a doctoral or master of fine arts program. We are particularly aware of the special role that graduate education plays in training the next generation of leaders in academia, government and the private sector.  In assisting MSU achieve its educational mission, our goal is to foster an intellectually vital and inclusive educational community that will prepare graduate students to assume their professional roles in a diverse society. The Graduate School’s recruitment fellowships assist departments and programs in attracting a cohort of students who: have demonstrated academic excellence; articulate their commitment to research goals well matched to department or program doctoral emphasis areas; show evidence of leadership potential or  the capacity to make a distinctive professional or scholarly contribution; contribute to an inclusive educational community, as evidenced in personal history and experience, research goals, or the promotion of understanding among persons of different backgrounds and ideas; have different racial, ethnic, gender, socio-economic, geographic, and disciplinary backgrounds. Visit http://grad.msu.edu/universityfellowships .

Two kinds of fellowship awards are available:

University Distinguished Fellowships recognize academic achievement, research goals, demonstrated leadership potential, and contribution to a diverse educational community and a record of overcoming obstacles.

Fellowship recipients beginning study in Fall 2024 will receive a 12-month graduate assistantship with a stipend of $31,400, plus a supplemental fellowship of $10,000, health insurance and up to 9 credits in the fall spring and up to 5 credits in the summer.  

The first year is funded by The Graduate School. During the second through fifth years of support, students receive a department assistantship that may require them to assist in teaching or research. The Graduate School will also provide a $10,000 fellowship in years two through five.

Master of Fine Arts students are jointly supported by The Graduate School and their departments for three years.