Appendix: Assistantship Information

Appendix 5: Assistantships Information 

Campus Minimum Hourly Rate: $32.66 per hour (effective 9/4/22) 

For more detailed information on minimum earnings/stipends for Tuition Credit and Health Benefits please refer to Articles 32 - 34 of the GEO Contract. 

•  Fall semester: 

• 20 hour position/appointment: GEO eligible for the entire AY (Full tuition credit + 95% health benefits (Insurance and Fee). 

• 10 hour position/appointment: GEO eligible for the Fall (Full tuition credit + 95% health benefits (Insurance and Fee) AND 95% exemption of Spring Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) (Insurance costs, not the mandatory Fee). 

•  Spring semester: 

• 20 hour position/appointment: Retroactive waiver in the form of a reimbursement of paid tuition/health during the Fall. 

• 10 hour position/appointment: GEO eligible for the Spring (Full tuition credit + 95% health benefits (Insurance and Fee) AND 95% reimbursement of Fall Student Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) (Insurance costs, not the mandatory Fee). 

•  CPE/U+ Fall and Spring: 

• If a student teaches one 3 credit course in the Fall or Spring they would qualify as if they had a 10 hour appointment in that semester.  

• If the enrollment of the class is high and the earnings are equal to or more than a 20 hour appointment ($12,410.80,) that would then apply benefits as though it were 20 hours.  

•  CPE/U+ Summer: 

• If a student teaches one 3 credit course in the summer they are entitled to the Fall GEO tuition credit and health benefits. This includes the Spring 95% reduction of the Student Health Benefit Plan insurance costs. 

• This is unless their enrollment is large and they earn enough ($12,410) or teach two classes with enough earnings. 

Health Plans run: Fall Plan Aug. 1 to Jan. 31 Spring Plan Feb. 1 to July 31 

Students who register for less than 5 credits, pay the Continuous Enrollment Fee or want the family plan are not automatically enrolled for Health Insurance. Students must enroll directly with UHS Patient Services on or before the end of Add/Drop period.  

Additional Student Health Benefits Package Cost & Coverage can be found on the UHS website here: 

https://www.umass.edu/uhs/insurance 

Dental and Vision Benefits (Administered by UAW/UMASS Health and Welfare Trust): Graduate student employees who earn at least $6,205.40 in a GEO-eligible position are eligible to receive 12 months of dental and vision benefits. The dental and vision benefits plan year is 10/1 to 9/30 of each year. https://www.hwtf.org/ website includes a complete list of plan benefits, eligibility guidelines and application and enrollment procedures.