Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Students' Application Form

            Graduate Assistantship Application

Faculty/Staff Forms

            Graduate Assistantship Proposal

            Graduate Assistantship Appointment

            Graduate Assistantship Student Evaluation

Faculty/Staff/Graduate Students

            Graduate Assistantship Guidelines

Graduate Assistantships ("GA") are awarded to full-time students who are fully admitted to a graduate program and who maintain good academic standing during the time of the award. The total award equals over $10,000 a year which includes tuition and fee remission for up to 24 credits per year plus a stipend. Appointments are competitive and are determined on the basis of undergraduate and/or graduate grade point average, test scores, letters of recommendation, pertinent experience, educational preparation, interviews, or a combination of these factors. They are intended to encourage and assist superior students in pursuing graduate study and in completing the requirements for graduate degrees in the minimum possible time.   For further information contact Charlene Hoyt at 508.531.2809. 

 

Recruitment

  • Each graduate school admission application package includes information about the graduate assistantship program and an application for employment as a graduate assistant.

  • GA applications are available in the School of Graduate Studies office or online at www.bridgew.edu/SoGS

  • Each student's GA application must include a copy of his/her resume.

  • For available assistantship positions, please contact Charlene Hoyt at 508.531.2809 or choyt@bridgew.edu.

 

Required Qualifications

  • A bachelor's degree in an appropriate field.

  • Must be admitted with a clear admit status into a graduate degree program before being hired as a GA.  Undergraduate/graduate five-year program students are not eligible for GA positions.

  • Must continue to make satisfactory progress toward a graduate degree.

  • Must be enrolled full time in at least nine credits of graduate-level courses during the fall and spring semesters during appointment.

  • Ability to establish effective working relationships and good communication skills.

  • Other specific qualifications relating to the particular assistantship.

  • Students are not eligible for an assistantship if they are employed as a state or hourly employee with Bridgewater State College.

 

Rates of Pay

  • 20 work hours each week required

  • $163.00 per week paid bi-weekly - 1st & 2nd semester appointments

  • $176.00 per week paid bi-weekly - 3rd & 4th semester appointments

 

Dates for GA Appointments and Required Forms

  • All GA supervisors must complete appointment forms on or before September 1st.  Likewise, GAs must complete all required payroll forms on or before September 1st; otherwise stipend payment to GAs will not begin promptly.

 

Financial Aid Policies

  • Students applying for financial aid should be advised the School of Graduate Studies will be communicating (with Student Accounts and the Financial Aid Office) the total course tuition and fees waivers being applied to their student accounts.  Students are also required to report all tuition and fees waivers to the Financial Aid Office.  If you have already been awarded or received financial aid (which includes student loans) for the same semester as the assistantship assignment, your financial aid may be subject to change.  Stipends are not considered when calculating financial aid funding.

 

Payroll Policies

  • In order to be legally employed and placed on the Bridgewater State College payroll, all selected GAs must report to the Student Employment Office with their completed I-9 form, W-4 form, emergency notification card, and present an original social security card prior to the first day of appointment.

  • Paychecks are picked up in the Office of Student Employment, located in Boyden Hall, Room 101.

 

Tuition and Fees Waiver Guide for Fall 2009, Spring and Summer 2010 Semesters

  • Students are eligible to receive up to a total of 24 credit hours of course tuition and fees waivers during the academic year which includes the fall and spring semesters and both summer sessions.

  • Typically students register for a total of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters during the academic year not exceeding the maximum total of 24 credit hours of tuition and fees waivers allowed per academic year.

  • All other costs must be paid by the graduate assistant in accordance with college policies on tuition and fees calculation and payment.

 

Summer Session I June 2010 Employment Extension Request

  • If departmental needs warrant, the supervisor can request an extension for the graduate assistant to continue working for the month of June.  This request must be completed on the student's evaluation form and forwarded to Charlene Hoyt in the School of Graduate Studies for the Dean's approval.

  • All graduate assistants who are employed in June must be enrolled in at least one three-credit graduate-level course.

  • The same hiring process and payroll structure will apply for the summer session I employment.

 

Performance Evaluation

  • Evaluation forms will be distributed to supervisors in April via email from the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Graduate assistants will be evaluated in April by their supervisors who will submit the completed evaluation to Charlene Hoyt in the School of Graduate Studies.

 

Professional Responsibilities

  • The direct supervisor of the GA is responsible for monitoring attendance.

  • GA’s are treated with professional courtesy and expectations, and as a result, are held accountable for their performance.

  • GA’s are expected to be punctual in fulfilling professional duties and responsibilities, as their department or office relies on their professionalism.

 

Reappointment of Graduate Assistants for Second Year

  • Graduate assistants are eligible for reappointment for a second year if the assistantship continues to be approved by the Dean and if the supervisor re-appoints the GA.  Positions must be requested each academic year by departmental head.  A new Graduate Assistant Application form and Appointment form will need to be completed and sent to Charlene Hoyt in the School of Graduate Studies to begin the process of reappointment.

  • The maximum period of appointment for any GA is 24 months or two academic years.

 

 

Attendance Policies and Holidays

  • Attendance for graduate assistants must be reported on a weekly basis on the attendance report for the employing department, which is then submitted to the Office of Human Resources.

  • GAs are not eligible for paid or sick leave.  Time missed for illness or personal reasons must be made up by making arrangements with the supervisor.  This should occur within a reasonable amount of time.

  • GAs are generally not required to work when the college closes over the Christmas and New Year holidays (that portion of semester break), or during spring break that occurs in March.  If a graduate assistant is required to work during this period due to special circumstances, an equivalent total reduction in work hours should be made during the remainder of the work year.

  • Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that the GAs work the required twenty (20) hours per week.

  • A twenty percent reduction in required work hours shall be made during the weeks in which the following holidays occur: Labor Day                  
    Columbus Day            
    Veteran's Day
    Thanksgiving Day     
    Christmas Day            
    President's Day
    Patriot's Day              
    Memorial Day

 

Dismissal Policy

  • During the academic year, in rare and unusual circumstances, it may be necessary to dismiss a GA from his/her employment.  Supervisors will determine if behavior and work performance require disciplinary action. 

  • A letter of dismissal must be submitted by the supervisor to the dean of the School of Graduate Studies, who will review the supervisor’s evaluation and determine the outcome within 30 days. 

  • Prior written notice should be given to the graduate assistant by the supervisor, who is considering dismissal.

  • Students placed on academic probation may be terminated from their graduate assistantship position.

  • Students who are terminated or opt for dismissal from appointment will have a reduction in tuition and fees waivers based upon the number of completed weeks worked, which will be pro-rated.

 

For further information, email the School of Graduate Studies or call 508.531.1300.

Last Modified: September 18, 2009