Stipends and Tuition Waiver

Most research students in the program will receive monetary support in the form of a teaching assistantship (TA) or research assistantship (RA). The amount of stipend varies somewhat among students but is usually sufficient (i.e., 10 hr/week TA) to merit a tuition and partial fee waiver. Note, you must be appointed on a TA or RA amounting to at least 10 hr/week to qualify for a tuition waiver. It is your major professor's responsibility to expedite your appointment as an RA or TA with the office. If you and your major professor do not arrange for an assistantship, you will be responsible for paying tuition, with one exception. If you are receiving a stipend from another source equivalent to a 10-hr TA/RA for work directly related to your academic program, you can apply for a tuition waiver. UMass refers to this as an "externship" see:

https://www.umass.edu/graduate/funding/externship-policies-procedures

For this option, you must complete a special form (obtained from the front office in Graduate School in Goodel Building) documenting your employment and verifying that the work and stipend are directly related to your academic progress. Your employer must sign the form, which is accompanied by a letter from your sponsor on letterhead describing the work to be completed, the amount you will be paid and the period (start and end date) over which the work will be completed. Also, this form and accompanying letter from the sponsor must be submitted each semester separately.

If you don't receive a payroll or expense check when you expect it, don't delay in asking your major professor to help you. Please do not contact the Main Office about your stipend unless your major professor has specifically instructed you to do so.