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Graduate assistantships

Graduate Assistantships at UAF

Graduate assistantships are an excellent way to finance your education while gaining critical career, research, and classroom skills. Please note: You must be formally admitted to a graduate program to receive an assistantship. Positions are determined and awarded directly by individual departments, colleges, and research institutes.

Types of Assistantships & Where to Find Them

UAF offers three main categories of graduate assistantships. Because these positions are distributed at the department level, students should reach out directly to their major advisor or department coordinator (such as the Department of Biology & Wildlife, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø of Fisheries & Ocean Sciences, or the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø of Liberal Arts) to inquire about active openings or application procedures.

Eligibility & Maintenance Requirements

To retain an assistantship, graduate students must meet strict academic and registration baselines set by university regulations and collective bargaining agreements.

  • Domestic Graduate Assistants: Must be registered for at least 6 credits per semester (Fall/Spring) to maintain active employment.
  • International Graduate Assistants (F-1/J-1 status): Must remain enrolled full-time (minimum 9 credits) per semester. *Exception: Graduating international students in their final semester can request a Reduced Course Load, but must still maintain at least 6 credits if working as a student employee.*
  • Audited Courses & Summer Hours: Audited classes do not count toward mandatory registration minimums. Summer registration is generally exempt if working 21–40 hours per week in a taxable student framework.

Graduate assistants are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and demonstrate satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the UAF Financial Aid SAP Policy.

Financial Aid Eligibility Note:

Although assistantships are not considered traditional financial aid, the Financial Aid Office assesses financial eligibility for students to receive an assistantship.

  • Eligible Status: As long as your SAP status is marked as eligible (minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 67% course completion rate), you are eligible to receive and maintain an assistantship. You can (under Financial Aid → Eligibility → Academic Progress).
  • Ineligible Status: If you are ineligible, contact the Financial Aid Office immediately at uaf-financialaid@alaska.edu or 907-474-7256 to figure out the best path forward. In most cases, you can regain eligibility by submitting a Financial Aid SAP Appeal Form alongside an Academic Plan created with your advisor.

Per Board of Regents policy, graduate students are restricted to working a maximum of 20 hours per week across all campus jobs while school is in session.

  • Domestic Students: Working over 20 hours requires a formal Graduate Student Workload Exception Request form. Working consistently over 39 hours per week will shift your payroll status from non-taxable to taxable status.
  • Outside Work: If you accept employment outside of the UA system, you must file a formal employment disclosure form in compliance with the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

Zero Work-Hour Flexibility:

By federal law, international students under F-1 or J-1 status cannot exceed 20 hours of work per week under any circumstances while school is in session (including midterms and finals). Out-of-compliance workloads carry catastrophic immigration consequences.

Additionally, immigration laws heavily restrict working past your official Program Completion Date, even if your assistantship offer letter outlines a later contract end-date. Direct all compliance, final-semester timelines, or visa safety queries to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

Understanding Your Assistantship Appointment Letter

All official Graduate Assistantship contract offers are processed through NextGen. You will receive an email prompting you to log in and sign your official offer once your department initiates the process.

Key Areas to focus on in the Offer Info Section:

1 Assistantship Info

This block establishes your fundamental role framework, job expectations, and contract timeline.

Type of Assistantship Teaching, Research, or Engagement (Hourly).
Term Dates Important: Ensure your work starts and ends exactly within these dates. Work outside this window cannot be compensated.
Weekly Hours Typically 10–20 hours. This maps directly to your expected weekly effort.
Snippet of the Offer Information section on the UAF contract form showing type, dates, and weekly hours

2 Pay Info

Details regarding your localized paycheck amounts and total gross contract value.

Stipend Rates Minimums are $25.65/hr (MA) or $30.40/hr (PhD). Your explicit regular bi-weekly gross paycheck amount will calculate and display here.
Total Award The total gross amount scheduled to be paid out across the entire duration of the appointment (before taxes).
Snippet of the Pay Information section on the UAF contract form detailing stipend rates and total award

3 Credit Hours & Fees Coverage Info

Credit Matching Rule: If your awarded credits are lower than your actual registered credits, you are responsible for paying the remaining tuition balance out of pocket.
Credits Awarded The exact maximum number of tuition credits covered for the semester (typically ranges up to 10 credits).
Fee Coverage
  • Mandatory Coverage: Consolidated & Infrastructure Fees are automatically covered.
  • Discretionary: Lab, matriculation, or seminar fees are left entirely up to your hiring department's discretion.
Snippet of the Credit Hours and Fee Coverage section on the UAF contract form showing tuition and fee allocations

Access Your Appointment Letter

Need to download, review, sign, or print a copy of a current or previously signed letter?

Graduate Labor Union Resources:

Review the formal AGWA Collective Bargaining Agreement or visit the official for updates regarding graduate employee rights, working environments, and union representation.