Assistantships & Student Support/Scholarships

Graduate Assistantship Program

Graduate assistantships (GA) are intended to provide graduate students with valuable educational and professional experiences related to their degree program. For years, these positions have helped improve the quality and scope of our graduate programs and university by attracting high quality students. All graduate assistantship awards are based upon merit and not financial need.

Create a profile, search for 2023-2024 GA openings and apply for an available Graduate Assistantship.

There are four types of graduate assistantships

• Academic graduate assistantships are available for most graduate degree programs. Each graduate degree program selects a number of highly qualified students in the degree program for these graduate assistantships and the students work with various faculty members in the department. Students interested in an academic graduate assistantship are encouraged to contact their respective graduate coordinator.
• Administrative graduate assistantships are available to qualified students from any degree program. Administrative GA positions are available in various non-academic departments such as Tutoring, Enrollment Services, Student Support Services, etc..
• Learning Coordinator graduate assistantships, offered by Residential Life & Housing, require students to serve as a live-in representative of the department, providing services related to the support of students within residence halls. In addition to the monetary compensation and tuition waiver, this assistantship will provide housing accommodations within the residence halls for the academic year. For information on the Graduate Learning Coordinator Assistantships, call (570) 422-3460 or email housinganddining@esu.edu.
• Frederick Douglass Institute Scholar graduate assistantships are awarded to persons from underrepresented groups who demonstrate potential for leadership and the ability to promote unity in a civil society. Applicants for Frederick Douglass Institute Scholar graduate assistantships should have a demonstrated record of leadership, social involvement and commitment to education. Frederick Douglass Institute Scholars will be placed with various administrators and academic departments.

Graduate assistantships provide monetary compensation for full-time graduate students ranging from $2,502 (part-time GA appointment) to $5,004 (full-time GA appointment) for the academic year, plus a partial waiver (4.5 credits) of basic tuition (in-state rates) for part-time GA positions and a full waiver (9 credits) of basic tuition (in-state rates) for full-time positions. Graduate assistantships may be renewed with the recommendation of the awarding department and approval of the Graduate & Extended Studies Office for a maximum of four terms. Graduate assistantships may be renewed during the summer term but this term counts toward the maximum of four terms.

Graduate assistants must maintain enrollment in 9 graduate credit hours, a minimum QPA of 3.00 and no more than one grade less than a B and be in good academic standing. If the graduate assistant does not meet these requirements, the student and department will be notified that the assistantship has been terminated. If a student does not maintain full-time student enrollment status (9 credit hours), the student's graduate assistantship will be terminated effective the date that the student dropped below 9 credit hours. The student will be sent a bill for prorated tuition.